Bridgestone Begins 2009 Preparations with Encouraging Valencia Test
7th, January 2009
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Less than 24 hours after Casey Stoner took victory in the final race of the 2008 season, Bridgestone’s preparations for the 2009 season got underway with a test at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. Bridgestone will be the sole tyre supplier to the MotoGP championship from 2009 and the Valencia test marked the first occasion to evaluate new specification tyres with all teams and riders for next year. A total of 18 MotoGP riders participated in the test on Monday with some riders joining new teams and others enjoying their first taste of MotoGP machinery. In accordance with the agreed tyre restrictions for this test, Bridgestone supplied a total of 12 slick tyres to each rider, consisting of two different front and rear specifications. The introduction of the sole tyre supply regulation for next season will see a reduction in the total number of tyres available for each rider during the race weekend, so tyres will have to operate within a wider working range with a greater level of durability. Bridgestone has also reduced the maximum level of grip of the tyres in a concerted effort to assist the sport’s governing body in its drive for improved safety through reduced cornering speeds. Monday’s session was held in hot and sunny conditions with Casey Stoner resuming where he left off on Sunday, topping the timesheets with a best lap time of 1m32.464s using the new Ducati GP9 machine. Tuesday’s session was curtailed by intermittent rain and by 14.00 no riders had ventured out on track. Bridgestone will now use the data collated from this session in order to prepare tyres for the next test session which will take place at the end of November in Jerez. |
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