After the weather hit opening British Superbike round at Brands Hatch, this weekend’s races at Thruxton will demand completely different machine set-up’s and strategies for riders and teams.
The fast, abrasive ex-airfield circuit is renowned for punishing tyres, something that may be illustrated even more clearly under the new 2012 series regulations specifying no traction control. Tyre suppliers to the championship Pirelli believe that competitors may well opt for the hardest compound Diablo Superbike ‘SC2’ option of tyre should conditions remain dry.
Last year saw another rain lashed meeting with Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne entertaining the crowds as he powered through from 33rd on the grid take the win. The Kentish rider went on to extend his series lead at the time and described his Pirelli rain tyres as ‘perfect’.
Michael Laverty won the other race and will be keen to replicate that form after a disastrous outing at Brands last week, scoring nil points and watching his Samsung Honda team-mate Jon Kirkham take the victory in the only Superbike event of the day. Another rider still smarting from his local event is the No.1 plate holder Tommy Hill, who is also yet to get on the scoreboard.
Meanwhile the podium finishers and Brands Hatch Rainmasters Kirkham, Alistair Seeley and Michael Rutter may just be quietly hoping for yet more bad weather!
If the weather stays fine the Superbike competitors have three options of ‘slick’ rear tyre; SC0 (softest), SC1 (medium) and SC2 (hardest), and for the front; SC1 and SC2 variations. Fully wet conditions will see riders opt for Pirelli Diablo Rain and if the dreaded ‘mixed’ conditions occur, a combination of slicks, wets and the intermediate Diablo Wet tyres may be seen.
Pirelli Racing Manager Jason Griffiths explains; “Thruxton is a circuit that presents a formidable challenge to not only the tyres but also the riders and their machinery. This track has the highest sustained speeds we encounter combined with an abrasive surface which should point to the use of our SC2 compound Diablo Superbike rear slick. The Superbike race at Brands saw a last corner pass and three manufacturers represented on the podium. I think we’re set for some more great racing this weekend.”
