Pirelli official supplier for 2014 Australian Superbike Championship

ERJ staff report (TP)

Queensland, Australia − Pirelli will be the control tire supplier for the 2014 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) with their race tires being offered to all riders in all classes.

Pirelli has been distributed in Australia by Link International since 2009 and during this time Link has supported many forms of racing and teams alike with this tire brand.

When considering options for 2014, ASBK said Pirelli provided an overall package that offered riders with the same product used in World Superbike competition. This was an “integral” part of ASBK’s overall decision as current Supersport and Superbikes are “running speeds and times competitive against the world’s best”.

Another key component was pricing and rider contingencies. ASBK said: “When you apply control you have a responsibility to ensure riders are being provided the best product at the right price”.

Pirelli has ensured that teams will be provided with the same level of race product riders were supplied this year − along with comprehensive technical and race setup advice.

Pirelli, through Link International, will also ensure that all teams, whether they be factory or privateer are on a level playing field in terms of both advice and tire choice. This is a continuation of the philosophy that Pirelli employed in the 2013 ASBK series and which “earned the tire supplier considerable rider appreciation”.

Glenn Allerton, an ASBK rider, supported the decision purely based on performance.

“Pirelli provided production tires that they were developing on the world scene for us to race on in Australia,” Allerton said.

“I know the other tires that are being made available in other series, and they don’t come close to what we will race on with Pirelli.

“Pirelli are constantly developing tires for Superbike and Supersport racing and we will receive those newly developed products and that gives me confidence,” Allerton continued.

Pirelli has held the control tire contract for the World Superbike Championship since 2007 and the British Superbikes since 2008. Development is maintained and improved from data collected each weekend across many tracks and Link International said they are “excited with the opportunity to supply these highly developed performance tires to Australia’s best racers in the country”.

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Press release from ASBK