Bridgestone explains upcoming Iveco TT Assen Grand Prix of 2011 MotoGP season – MotoGP news
The Bridgestone team has arrived in Netherlands for the upcoming Iveco TT Assen Grand Prix. The Japanese tyre company will get along the MotoGP stars to start the premier class action for the season’s seventh event.
Manager of Bridgestone Motorsport Department, Hiroshi Yamada said, “The Dutch TT is one of motorcycle racing’s most historic, and although it has greatly changed over the years, it has a special place in the hearts of many, including the fans. The season
is really taking shape now, and especially with this run of six races in eight weeks the momentum is really building.”
Yamada appreciated Casey Stoner’s efforts and his present championship lead. The Aussie’s 18-point lead from Jorge Lorenzo will add to the fun, as the Spaniard has been victorious at the venue in the past.
The event is going to be held at a track which holds pedigree in motorcycle racing. It is one of the few tracks which have held its place in the MotoGP calendar for a long time. It has been hosting grand prix races since 1949.
Assistant to Director of Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Division, Hirohide Hamashima said, “Assen is a smooth circuit that requires asymmetric tyres because of the high loads placed on the right shoulders of the rear tyres. Following its modification
in 2006 there are two distinct types of tarmac; the new part is slippery whilst the old is abrasive, making it particularly tricky in the wet.”
Hamashima commented on the revised circuit layout that held a considerable change at the Ruskenhoek corner whose angle was changed to smoothen up the bend and also reduce the lap length to almost 13 metres.
Coping up with the track characteristics, the tyres have to go through many different things. The circuit consists of many types of corners, both low and high-speed bends. With this situation, tyres need to be strong at shoulders with a good rubber compound.
The first section of bends almost flows in one go which requires good grip at the right shoulder of the slick. Other fast speed bends such as the Ramshoek corner which crosses 200 km/h speed limit, need the tyre to be promising at high temperatures.
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