Bridgestone avails the post-race test for 2012 season: MotoGP News
The Japanese tyre manufacturer company, Bridgestone provided its new compound tyres to the riders for testing on the post-race test official session. The riders were gathered to test their machines for the upcoming round of French Grand Prix at Le Mans on May 15. The test session was welcomed by warm and sunny day. Both test rounds were held at dry tarmac.
The Bridgestone tyre company made the full use of the test day by providing the riders one front and two rear slicks of different compound for the Monday’s post-race run. The regular tyres were also available along the test slicks. The test was essential in view for the development of the 2012 campaign, which is reviving the 1000cc era.
The test was originally held for the running MotoGP season’s 800cc machines. The testing of new compounds has set the ground for the next season’s big displacement engine prototypes. The tyre company has focused to improve the temperature variability and the feedback to get more ride-ability.
Tohru Ubukata, the General Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Department said, “I am very happy with the results of the Test at Estoril. Conditions were good and the lap times were very fast with Marco heading the field, 0.7s faster than the lap record.”
The GM was especially pleased with Casey Stoner’s effort to help on the Monday’s test session and give his valuable feedback on the new Bridgestone compound, Repsol Honda rider, Casey Stoner, who suffered a back muscle lock problem during the bwin Grande Premio de Portugal race. His back was stuck for some laps in the race, but somehow he was relaxed and continued the race with a lone pace no one near behind the Aussie. While recovering from his backache he tested the new 2011 Ohlins front suspension fork with variable hydraulic settings. His testing also included the new clutch and two new different compound tyres from Bridgestone. Casey Stoner was third fastest on the time sheet with best lap time of 1:36.602 minute.
Dani Pedrosa was the man of pure strategy, which gave him the victory at Estoril. He was on the tail of Lorenzo until the last fourth lap where he blazed ahead of the reigning World Champion, accompanied with pain in his shoulder he stood tall at the podium.
Due to the reviving pain in his shoulder, the Spaniard chose to run only 17 laps on Monday’s test session. Pedrosa completed few laps with a modified clutch and tested the new compound Bridgestone tyres. He was tenth fastest with best time of 1:37.679 minutes on the clock.
Ubukata added, “Rider feedback was good, especially for the new rear tyres, so I can say we have identified the direction of tyre development for the next Test and preparation for the 1000cc era is going well.”
The GM, Tohru Ubukata was thankful to the MotoGP teams which helped the tyre manufacturer in the development process and gave such precious information and feedback on thee ne compounds.
Tags: