Pirelli Gets New World Superbike Deal
Press Release | July 18, 2008
The following is from FG Sport… FGSport is pleased to announce that Pirelli will be the official tyre supplier for the FIM Superbike World Championship for a further three years after the conclusion of the current contract, therefore until the end of 2012. The supply, as already envisaged in the current agreement, will include the FIM Supersport World Championship, the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup and the UEM Superstock 600 European Championship. Pirelli’s working method, the undisputed reliability of the tyres, which have never caused any incidents or recorded any breakages, together with the absolute quality of the service provided were all determining factors in analysing the conditions for the renewal. Undoubtedly they were also a difficult obstacle to overcome for the competitors, who were required by the public supply tender to guarantee the same level of service that Pirelli has shown it is able to offer in this particular field. FGSport, in agreement with the FIM, has since 2004 strongly believed in the importance of creating a one-make tyre supply rule that gives all competitors the same opportunities on a technical, service and cost level. Without a shadow of doubt the growth and success of the FIM Superbike World Championship over the last five years, which is destined to continue in the near future thanks also to an exceptional participation of manufacturers and teams, has been greatly favoured by the adoption of a one-make tyre regulation. This formula has been interpreted by Pirelli in such a way as to not limit the development and the continuous testing and improvement of the tyres, which on the contrary is the basis of the philosophy of the Milan tyre company. “The renewal of the contract is a great satisfaction for us and is above all the result of all the work we have done until today” commented Guglielmo Fiocchi, Managing Director of Pirelli Tyres, Business Unit Moto. “A championship for production-based motorbikes is a championship that perfectly matches Pirelli’s philosophy, summed up in our slogan ‘We sell what we race, we race what we sell’. We have great faith in FGSport and in this championship, we know that there is still room for further growth and we are convinced that we can help bring it about together.” Paolo Flammini, CEO of FGSport, added: “The first 5 years of working with Pirelli have provided results that go beyond all of our highest expectations, from the point of view of the quality of the product, the service and the profound commitment by Pirelli to development. In a positive but challenging scenario from a technical point of view, and in view of the increased level of participation that in 2010 will in all probability see at least 8 manufacturers present and at least 32 permanent bikes on the World Superbike grid, we are comforted by the fact that we can count on a tyre supplier who has demonstrated that it can guarantee total excellence from every point of view. We are also delighted to be able to confirm a further element of stability for the championship, which alongside a package of technical regulations that is as valid today as in the medium term, now also has a definite horizon until 2012 from the point of view of tyre supply.”
