British Superbikes: One-make tyre rule expected

British Superbike bosses are about to follow World Superbike’s lead and introduce a single-supplier tyre rule for British Superbike and British Supersport for the 2008 season.

British Superbike Race Director Stuart Higgs issued a statement at Donington Park revealing that they were evaluating the situation, prior to putting the supply out to tender.

Stuart Higgs said: “It’s a worrying trend that all the talk in the paddock is not of the racing in BSB, but what tyres people are running and what appears to be a huge gulf in the pecking order for tyre allocation. Teams are talking about losing one to one and half seconds just because they are not on the best tyre.

“The decision to go to a single-supplier tyre will be driven solely for the benefit of the competition. We want to level the playing field.

“We know from experience that the top teams who can afford the best riders, the best technicians and the best equipment will still be the top teams but we’re keen to close the gap and improve the show for the fans.

“It’s nothing new. WSB has benefited from having a single tyre supplier and even F1, the pinnacle of motorsport worldwide introduced a one-make tyre rule this year.”

Stuart Higgs insists there will be a period of discussion among the teams and tyre suppliers until October 5, 2007 before a decision is reach whether to go ahead with the idea.

If British Superbikes do go ahead it will be offered out to tender and the supplier will be announced the week following the final round at Brands Hatch on October 14, 2007.

At this stage, it seems likely the two tyre companies who might be interested are Dunlop and Pirelli.

Dunlop supply tyres to the majority of British Superbike teams. Pirelli linked with Virgin Yamaha this year to use British Superbike to develop its World Superbike tyres. Pirelli is already the single tyre supplier for the World Superbike series.

Dunlop Motorsport Manager Phil Plater is not in favour of a control tyre: “In BSB you need a cutting edge product and need that flexibility to develop tyres.

The question shouldn’t be shall we have control tyres. It should be how do we make the series stronger. The only good thing about all this is that at least BSB have issued a discussion document first.”

Pirelli’s Steffen Baum however was more positive. He said: “We’re pleased the question has been raised and have a strong interest supplying control tyres for BSB.

“We have the experience and knowledge from WSB and have the capacity to do it. We just need to talk about the best way to do it that suits everybody.

“We a believe control tyre rule is good because it gains us a lot of information from many teams and allows a tyre manufacture to develop standard product.

Panel: how the teams will vote

In favour:
Colin Wright, Airwaves Ducati: “If we weren’t a top team I’d think it was a great idea. If BSB was going to a control tyre it should be Pirelli – at least then the teams could do wild-card WSB races.”

Simon Buckmaster, Rizla Suzuki: “It levels the playing field so I’m for it. It works in WSB so why shouldn’t it here? If it’s done in a cost-effective way then it will be a positive for the series.”

Paul Bird, Stobart Honda: “Fantastic. A level playing field for everyone if it’s run properly, which it will be if the MCRCB and not Dorna are in control.”

Rob McElnea, Virgin Yamaha: “It’s the future but it has to be done for the right reasons, ie for the good of the sport. I think it will encourage teams from other classes to step up to BSB if they know everyone starts on the same tyres.”

Nick Morgan, MSS Kawasaki: “I’m 100% for it. There’s no pecking order if you have control tyres.”
 
Against:
Neil Tuxworth, HM Plant Honda: “I’m not in favour. They have a control tyre in WSB and it’s not helped the privateers one bit. Where do you draw the line? Should we all run the same bikes?”

Stuart Hicken, Hawk Kawasaki: “I’m not a lover of control tyres. How controlled are control tyres anyway? Keep it open. Bridgestone could be here in a couple of years. Let’s have open competition.”