Tyre Wars?

Question

What do you think? Change the tyre regulations again to suit Valentino and under performing Michelin?

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/30072007/58/season-2007-stoner-urges-fim-hold-firm-tyre-rules.html

Answer 1

They cannot blatantly change rules to help a team/ manufacturer. But, they are a good company and they will bounce back to level off.

Answer 2

It is not really true to say that if the rule was changed back that it would be just to suit Valentino, it would suit a d**n site more than him.

I am not really sure why they had to have the new law in the first place. Moto GP is about experimental one off bikes, so why should it not be for tyres too? I do think that there is an element of truth in saying that it is ruining the show as I really do want to see all the top guys battling it out with each other and not have a race dictated to significantly by the tyres underneath them. Look at Formula One how dull that is, in small part due to equipment, though of course not tyres as there is only one manufacturer.

In saying that though, the rule is same for everyone, except Dunlop and should they ever win a couple of races then they too will have to follow suit. There is no question that Bridegstone have raised there game a lot over the past few years and definitely Michelin have been caught out BUT I would hate to get to the situation where say Casey beomes champion and then people can question if it was only because he was on Bridgestone. The law is having too much of an effect but in conclusion I guess I would urge Michelin to get their fingers out and do something about it.

Answer 3

Hey Delbert,

Thats a good question - and has prompted one of my own!

I think as long as there is a uniformityof rules between manufacturers/teams, then it is as fair as any race can be.  

This article seems to suggest that Michelin had some sort of unfair advantage last season by being able to create a "bespoke" tyre for a specific set of conditions or track, which seems odd as surely any manufacturer could have done that had they wanted to? If it was just a matter of logistics (being a French company) then why complain? Not all the rounds are in Europe.

If Moto gp (and formula 1) is their main promotional stage all manufacturers should be pulling out all the stops to keep their riders happy. I don't suppose Michelin are too enamoured with Colin Edwards after some of the things he has said  (and written) about them this year!

So the short answer from me (!!) is no.

Answer 4

limiting the amont of tires is a good thing it is definetly helping competition

Answer 5

I think the tyre rule should stay the way it is now.

It makes for great competition  between Michelin & Bridgestone. It will teach the French maker to pull its finger out and make some decent rubber again.

Answer 6

I think the new tyre regulations are not whats holding Valentino back its just that he is losing his edge and Casey Stoner is just showing how good he is.

Answer 7

they should not change the rules for one person, in fact the only way a rule change should happen is when all the people interested get together and petition it......

Answer 8

i think its a rubbish rule, it makes the race like an endurance rather than a sprint!