Milan (Italy), 10th November 2009 – As the 2009 Superbike Championship has season has concluded with a newly crowned champion, American Ben Spies, Pirelli congratulates the first victory for Yamaha in WSBK (after that of Suzuki in 2006), which adds to the victories of Honda and Ducati from the start the experience as unique supplier. For Pirelli it also meant additional data from two new entrants, Aprilia Racing and BMW Motorrad. With eight manufacturers and over 120 world-class riders competing in the four classes of the championship, Pirelli’s sixth year as single tyre supplier continues add value to the absolute performance of the Diablo family of products and injects technology directly into new tyres like the Diablo Rosso Corsa for passionate road and track riding.

The first two year period of Pirelli’s relationship was dedicated to refining the service element to guarantee adequate support for all riders in the Superbike paddock. The next step then began a true search for performance, improving lap times and cornerspeed for an elevated excitement and the shattering of circuit records. During the last two years, Pirelli has continued to deliver a higher level of performance, but more noteworthy is the stabilization of performance, meaning reduced lap times all the way to the checkered flag.

Relative to this stabilized performance, the measured race time for 2009 decreased an average of 20 seconds over last year, signifying truly faster racing and a consistent competition level. From the 48 dry solutions available to riders this season between the World Superbike and Supersport grids, one front and three rear tyres will enter the 2010 Pirelli Racing product range and be available to all authorized customers on the market.

With as many as 6,000 tyres delivered each weekend on the WSBK calendar, the cutting-edge technologies bred within this environment can be quickly transferred into street product through Pirelli’s application of perfected carcass constructions concepts. For example, the new Diablo Rosso Corsa adopts a carcass from the Superbike class and shoulders of its III zones compound rear tyre being an offspring to those used in the Superstock class.

In addition to the Superbike World Championship, Pirelli is also represented as the single tyre supplier in four national championships: British Superbike, Canadian Superbike, Brazilian Superbike and the newly formed Pirelli Superstock Series in Spain. Pirelli’s strong always competitive appetite is fed also by participation in nearly 85 different classes of 32 open national racing championships around the world.

Pirelli opens its PZero fashion space in Milan to motorcyclists for a special presentation on occasion of the 67^th annual EICMA show

Milan (Italy), 10 November 2009 – Pirelli Moto is delighted to announce the newest model in its successful Diablo family and the only hypersport tyre for road and track use with WSBK technology: the Diablo Rosso Corsa. From the fast pace and intense SBK environment, where seven manufacturers and thirty world-class riders give feedback every weekend, is derived a superiority of tyre performance through maximum versatility and easy bike setup.

A Prestigious Name

Brand new for 2010, the Diablo Rosso Corsa situates itself in the performance demanding Racing Street segment, incorporating personalities from three well-known names in the Pirelli supersport range. Diablo – in honor of Pirelli’s prestigious mark that since the start of the new millennium has been considered a reference in the racing world and sportbike tyres, Rosso – after Pirelli’s all-Italian passion for racing, and Corsa – to reflect the noblest expression of the power of a breed. And so arrives the Diablo Rosso Corsa, Pirelli’s newly born top-of-the-range motorcycle tyre in the segment which sees use on both road and track. The new tyre supplements the Diablo Rosso in Pirelli’s sport range and effectively replaces its acclaimed predecessor, the Diablo Corsa III, by measurably exceeding its key performance values.

Every Day is a Race Day

The Diablo Rosso Corsa’s reach includes all competitive and passionate motorcyclists who push forward the limit from the mountain curves to the racetrack, specialists who can recognize the fine distinction between pure racetrack and pure road usage, and those who crave ultimate performances along with an aggressive tread design look. The new top-of-gamma for Pirelli Moto will feature a broader range of sizes, patented EPT contact patch technology, and a never doubted grip level from its III zones compound. Diablo Rosso Corsa fuses Pirelli’s renowned WSBK technology with maximum versatility to complement the high horsepower and handling capabilities of the modern sportbike line-up.

Product Technology

Diablo Rosso Corsa is credited with three patents, the foremost being Enhanced Patch Technology (EPT), derived from the WSBK experience for an optimized contact patch area at all lean angles on road and track, for true confidence and power transfer to the ground in any riding condition.

EPT is complemented by the III zones compound rear tyre whose new compound in the central zone guarantees mileage and ample shoulder zone compound is straight from the WSBK arena.

Diablo Rosso Corsa’s captivating tread pattern includes a slick-like area on the rear shoulders while the tread grooves are selectively concentrated in the center and shoulders, an aggressive tread design resulting in quick warm-up and consistent water drainage for great control on wet surfaces.
With the new Diablo Rosso Corsa, WSBK performance is now in the hands of a street-legal road tyre for an unbeatable feeling for the rider, including safety in all weather conditions and remarkable racetrack performance.  EVERY DAY IS A RACE DAY.

Availability

The Diablo Rosso Corsa will be available on the European market starting in January 2010 starting from initial sizing: front 120/70ZR17, along with rear 160/60ZR17 (April 2009), 180/55ZR17, and 190/50ZR17 as well as the 190/55ZR17 size.  More detailed information and videos of the Diablo Rosso Corsa as well as the entire range of Pirelli motorcycle tyres can be found online at www.pirellimoto.com.

Milan (Italy), 10th November 2009 – Pirelli Tyre, S.p.A and Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A have strengthened their longstanding partnership with an agreement to fit all models with Pirelli motorcycle tyres beginning from the 1st of January 2010. Pirelli and Ducati are two leading brands with deep similarity: both have a DNA filled with a passion for motorcycling, technical excellence, a devotion to the world of racing, and a unique Italian style.

The agreement between these two premium brands appropriately confirms an existing collaboration which began years ago with Pirelli developing dedicated solutions for Ducati models and the support of marketing initiatives like the Ducati Desmo Challenge. Consumers and dealers alike shall benefit from one unique tyre range and a closer connection between the brands’ existing communities.

Gabriele Del Torchio, President of Ducati Motor Holding, commented: “We can only be very happy and proud of this partnership. It is not only a commercial agreement but a constructive collaboration between two important Italian companies. Pirelli and Ducati are two examples of Italian industrial excellence that, in terms of innovation, productivity and competence, demonstrate their winning spirit in both the sporting and business areas. A partnership such as this, the latest in a line of important collaborations with selected suppliers, allows us to contribute to the development of our bikes, in terms of both performance and safety.”

In occasion of the EICMA show, Pirelli opens a “Fuori Salone” at its PZero Showroom to present the new top-of-range hypersport tyre Diablo Rosso Corsa, dedicated to motorcyclists with a sporty riding style who use their bikes on the road and track. This new tyre will be immediately equipped on the 2010 Monster 1100S.

The main highlight of Ducati’s presence at EICMA, the new 2010 Multistrada, will come equipped with the Pirelli Scorpion Trail enduro street tyre with new 120/70ZR17 front and 190/55ZR17 rear, the latter being a first for the enduro segment since the size is typically reserved for hypersport tyres. The new Hypermotard EVO SP will be fitted with the Diablo Supercorsa SP, originally developed for the 1098R, whereas the base model of the Hypermotard will use the Diablo Rosso.

Added Guglielmo Fiocchi, Managing Director of the Moto Business Unit of Pirelli Tyre, “Pirelli’s original equipment program is a key component which drives product development and adds value to our leadership in the motorcycle world. Ducati is a natural partner for us and we are thrilled to maintain a longstanding partnership between our two Italian companies.”

More detailed information the new Diablo Rosso Corsa mentioned in this release as well as the entire range of Pirelli motorcycle tyres can be found online at www.pirellimoto.com.

Pirelli’s all-star cast consists of FIM Motocross World Championship riders from Europe continent such as MX2 champion Marvin Musquin, representing his home country France along with MX1 second-place winner Max Nagl, who will race for Germany.  Just behind Musquin in the MX2 World Championship was rider Rui Goncalves, a national hero who holds the flag for Portugal.  These three class hopefuls will all ride their KTM machines on which they found successes in their respective classes in the world championship.  For Belgium in the MX1 class will be Clément Desalle, whose third place in the world championship gave Honda its best standings for the year.

Fans from Italy will be cheering for local heroes David Philippaerts (MX1) and his Yamaha teammate Davide Guarneri (MX2), who both finished fourth in their respective classes in the world championship, riders which should add the depth needed by team Italy to contend with the always strong squad coming from the United States. From South American comes again the experienced group of Brazilian riders led by Wellington Garcia, who took the MX1 and MX2 titles in this year’s Brazilian Motocross Championship. Hailing from New Zealand in the Oceania continent is Joshua Coppins, whose sixth place finish was just two positions behind his Yamaha teammate Philippaerts. Other international riders with Pirelli for this race from Spain are José Antonio Butrón, currently seated in fifth place in the MX Elite class of Campeonato de España de Motocross, which ends in October; and Jonathan Baragan, a KTM rider who could have been a contender in the MX1 world championship until a training accident put him out of several races.

Last year’s Motocross of Nations, held at Donington Park in the UK, saw a strong performance from the American riders who won best nation overall, but Pirelli riders Steve Ramon, David Philippaerts, and Max Nagl captured one second and two third-place finishes, giving their teams enough points to finish in the top ten.

The international off-road event will be held at the newly constructed track on the grounds of the Autodromo Daniel Bonara, located in Franciacorta just one hour from Pirelli’s worldwide headquarters in Milan, Italy. Pirelli’s partnership agreement with the event promoter, DBO in July of this year was made in order to support this international racing event and its promotional activities.

More information and race tickets can be found on the site: www.mxnations2009.com. For more information on Pirelli’s motorcycle tyre range, our site is always open at www.pirellimoto.com.

Race Manager’s CommentsGiovanni Gatti, who handles Pirelli’s Off-Road Motorcycle Racing, commented: “It’s a real pleasure to see our best riders from around the world compete on Italian soil.  Riders like MX2 World Champion Marvin Musquin typically prefer competing on the Scorpion MX MidSoft front and MX Soft rear for soft terrain, but since Franciacorta facility is brand new, it’s hard to predict the soil conditions and thus the ideal combination. After reaching our 52nd world championship title in the FIM World Motocross, Pirelli is braced to offer strong support to the field of riders with our diverse line of Scorpion MX tyres. Even more so, we keep in close contact with our off-road support staff in other nations, which gives us a strategic advantage to keep these riders’ needs met.”

2009 Motocross of Nations  – Entry List of PIRELLI Riders

The 200mm qualifying tyre is unique to Monza being equal in measurement, profile and structure to Pirelli’s race tyre solutions for this circuit, whose compound gives riders the confidence to make the fastest lap. As a way of offering spectators and presenters a way of identifying what is happening during Superpole, non-permanent white “long P” markings and yellow lines have been imprinted on the tyre’s surface.

Giorgio Barbier commented, “We continue to put forth significant efforts in developing additional tyre options available to every rider of the Superbike and Supersport grid, and we are satisfied with all the results, including this new qualifying tyre which guarantees more excitement and visibility into the strategies of each team during Superpole for all spectators, both live and on television.”

Pirelli has achieved significant improvements in race and lap times in the first four rounds of the 2009 season with an average decrease in overall race time of the three podium positions of 11 seconds in Race 1 and 13 seconds in Race 2. Lap times in race scenario have decreased significantly at various tracks such as Assen, where an average of three individual riders’ best lap times during the race dropped by 0.63 seconds in Race 1 and 0.78 seconds in Race 2, resulting in a new lap record for the circuit. Thus far this season, nearly 14 different solutions have been made available to the Superbike grid, including two different rains and one intermediate solution.

With the Monza race, the Superbike World Championship is preparing to enter the most competitive part of the season. Four classes fill one large paddock, but this certainly means the weekend will be filled with passion and adrenaline at the race closest to the home of Pirelli.  To the Monza race, Pirelli will bring 3 front and 4 rear dry solutions, of which one front and 3 rears are brand new to this circuit, many thanks to the winter testing and individual input from teams who declare Monza as their test facility.

For more information on Pirelli Moto, we welcome you to visit our website: www.pirellimoto.com.

A particularly dry summer in Argentina meant that a number of roads were already in bad condition before the rally started, with the surface degrading considerably during the second run over the stages. The crews faced mostly dry and dusty roads on the opening day of the rally but conditions worsened over the weekend with rain coming on Saturday and forming deep ruts in the stages.

Despite the enormously varying roads and weather conditions, which ranged from less than 10 to more than 25 degrees Centigrade, the soft-compound Pirelli Scorpion gravel tyres – of the sort that will also be used in Finland and Great Britain – stood up extremely well to the challenge.

None of the leading runners reported any major problems with punctures, in spite of the notoriously sharp rocks that littered the route, enabling a four-way fight for the lead on the opening day. Pirelli’s Scorpion rubber also enabled the privateer Citroen Xsara WRC of former World Rally Champion Petter Solberg to join the battle for the podium before he encountered mechanical problems.

“The grip was changing a lot, particularly on the opening day when I was running first on the road,” reported Loeb. “Despite these changing conditions though, I found enough consistency from my Pirelli tyres to stay in the hunt. On the second day it was a little easier as I was further back – although I still had a couple of moments! I’m naturally very pleased to claim my fifth win in Argentina and I’d like to thank everyone – including Pirelli – who made it possible.”      

Argentina was also a round of the Junior World Rally Championship and Production Car World Rally Championship, which are also exclusively supplied by Pirelli. After a three-way fight the Junior category was eventually won by Suzuki driver Michal Kosciuszko, who overcame a broken steering arm on the opening day to triumph. Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah claimed the Production Car World Rally Championship category in his Subaru, ahead of local hero Marcos Ligato.

Pirelli’s Motorsport Director Paul Hembery commented: “On what were some of the most difficult and mixed conditions that we will face all year, we were very pleased with both the performance and reliability of our tyres. The fantastic battle for the lead that we all enjoyed on the opening day underlines just how well the soft-compound Pirelli rubber works on a variety of different cars with different drivers. The second day in particular contained a number of very sharp rocks, yet the renowned strength of the Scorpion tyre ensured that all the leading runners got through some of the most challenging stages of the year unscathed.”

This year the Rally of Argentina should have better climatic conditions also thanks to the decision to move the event one month later.  In any case the rally remains a difficult one and Pirelli will supply teams with the soft version of the Scorpion, the tyre ensuring excellent performance levels on soft and muddy terrains.
 
The materials used for the Pirelli Scorpions destined to the WRC represent the maximum innovation in terms of resistance.  Moreover Pirelli Scorpion adopts “run flat” technology solutions that besides reducing to the minimum the risk of punctures during the rally, allows to complete the special stages without significant delay and without damaging the car mechanics and bodywork. Pirelli Scorpions will ensure safety and performance at Rally Argentina, well known among rally enthusiasts for its mix of high speed and bumpy surfaces.

The young Pirelli Star Drivers will not be at the start of the southamerican rally.  Pirelli Star Driver is the programme promoted by Pirelli in collaboration with the FIA in order to promote and support new rally talents.  After the debut event in Portugal, the young drivers will compete again in Sardinia at Rally of Italy.

The more impressive records set during this event include one 24-hour World Duration Record in the FIM Category A11 (class > 1000cc to 1350cc) and the other for a period of 12-hours in the FIM Category A12 (class > 1350 to 2000cc).  In the A11 class, the Pirelli testing staff and guests on a 2009 Suzuki Hayabusa covered a total of 5135.071 km (3190.8 mi) and at an average speed of 213.961 km/h (132.9 mph) over the 24-hour period, marking the new World Record.

On a 2009 Kawasaki GTR 1400 in the A12 class, riders covered 2502.873 km (1555.2 mi) and averaged 208.573 km/h (129.6 mph), registering the first 12-hour World Duration Record for a motorcycle in this class. This feat was especially emotional, for on the last lap which would pass the 12-hour time, a mechanical problem halted the bike at the 5-mile marker just after midnight, thus ending the chance to make the full 24 hours. The pilot on board and also the oldest member of the testing department with 54 years of age, through all measures of audible encouragement from his whole team and FIM steward, pushed the motorcycle over seven kilometers to cross the chronometrist’s line and register the lap before celebrating this final milestone with his team. Holding his spirits and gathering the strength to finish was a perfect representation of the passion that is the core of Pirelli’s DNA.

Since there were no previously registered records for the A12 class, new World Records were also logged for the following distances and periods:

A12 (class > 1350cc to 2000cc) New World Records

*Subject to ratification by the FIM.

Pirelli technical staff participating in this event, including both the Directors of R&D (Piero Misani) and Testing (Salvo Pennisi) rode the first laps and again periodically throughout the night, added another record to those which they had themselves set in June of 2000 in the A11 Category on Suzuki Hayabusa of the same year.

A11 (class > 1000cc to 1350cc) World Records (Previously set in 2000 by Pirelli)

The World Record event featured the use of Pirelli’s new Angel ST, the first motorcycle tyre with a changing tread pattern and footprint design on the ground: first the appearance of an Angel, then after 1,000 km (621 mi) the silhouette of a Demon, representing at the same time the double soul of the product – reliable and sporty. The test demonstrated not only Angel ST’s safety and high speed stability, but also its durability and overall sport performance while the participants flew nearly 5,000 km (3,107 mi) around the ring of Nardò, a road tour simulation equal to 12,000 km (7,546 mi) at normal speeds.

The circuit performance demonstration ran as a 24-hour non-stop ride aboard a 2009 Suzuki Hayabusa (A11) and a 2009 Kawasaki GTR 1400 (A12), which are classed individually for the purposes of this FIM Duration World Record.  Each of the 30 participants to the records rode aboard at least one of two motorcycles for duration of half of an hour (20 min + technical time).

The Nardò Technical Center is a 3-lane ring with a total width of 16 meters (17.5 yds) and a circumference of 12.5 km (7.8 mi).  It is the longest circular track in Europe, where high speeds (240 km/h) may be reached in complete safety, thanks to compensation from its parabolic profile.  In fact, the entire Pirelli Tyre group, along with most important international car makers and component manufacturers are able to test their products here in complete safety and maximum privacy.

List of Participants

Available since the end of January, it is devoted to motorcyclists who like to travel distances in safety and comfort without sacrificing the sport-performance needed for the curves

World dynamic launch at the Nardò Technical Center (of Italy) during the record-setting attempt of two 24-hour Duration World Records

Nardò (Italy) March 14th, 2009 – Pirelli presents a dynamic launch at the Nardò Technical Center Lecce, Italy the Angel ST, the motorcycle tyre with a changing tread pattern and footprint design on the ground: first the gentle facade of an Angel, then the resulting Demon, representing at the same time the double soul of the product – reliable and sporty. Angel ST is dedicated to riders who love to travel by motorcycle and thus favor reliability, safety and durability.  This double soul matches the alternate desires of Sport Tourers, who at the right times, do not want to sacrifice the thrills of the curve and the emotion of acceleration.

Currently available on the market, the Angel ST is the result of innovative technology solutions such as Enhanced Contact Patch (EPT) for maximization of contact patch, Ideal Contour Shaping (ICS) for efficient tread groove placement, and the well known 0° steel belt, updated with a new end count (thinner) solution for improved handling performance and to reduce the weight of the entire belt system. The goal is to meet motorcyclists’ demands with a product which merges the traditional sporty characteristics of Pirelli with the demands of security and reliability, as well as value for the money.

Pirelli established a partnership with Sony Pictures for communications activities surrounding the Angels & Demons movie, a movie with actor Tom Hanks debuting in theatres this May, for which Pirelli supplied tires for several scenes. The themes of the movie as well as Dan Brown’s book on which the movie is based help to reinforce the personality and duality of the Angel ST.

Angel ST’s dynamic launch is held at the Nardò Technical Center in Italy, the location of two 24-hour Duration World Record setting attempts measured by distance and average speed, as well as various records in between ranging from 10km to 1,000km. Pirelli’s technical staff returned to this venue to potentially add additional records to those set 9 years ago at the same location. The dynamic debut of the Angel ST by way of duration record-setting attempts demonstrates not only the Angel ST ’s safety and high speed stability, but also its durability and overall sport performance, since the participants will circle the ring of Nardò a distance of almost 5,000 km, simulating a road tour distance at normal speeds from Miami to San Francisco, Seattle, New York and back to Miami, all in one 24-hour period.

Pirelli testing department’s outdoor activities are unmatched by competitors in the motorcycle sector, having made product performance demonstrations in the past from the North Cape to Dakar for the SCORPION TRAIL and Anchorage, AK to Key West, FL for the NIGHT DRAGON. “Our testing department is a strategic component to our success,” remarks Guglielmo Fiocchi, General Director of the Pirelli Motorcycle Tire Division. “Not only do they make tests over countless kilometers in order to provide adequate feedback to R&D, but their willingness to take on these amazing rides and record attempts together with the media and our customers demonstrates the passion of the whole group.”

From a technical point of view, largely due to a trend-setting tread design, compound mixtures and innovative structure, this new Pirelli motorcycle tyre ensures incredible stability, maximum grip on dry and wet and considerable product life.  Angel ST fits with sport-touring motorcycles (such as Yamaha FJR1300, Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa and Kawasaki GTR 1400) and is designed for the needs of daily two-wheel riders, who often transform on the weekend to adventurous travelers who enjoy taking the route on the highway while watching out for curvy roads which allow flashes of exciting riding – but always in complete safety.

For more information on the new Pirelli ANGEL ST, please visit our home on the web: http://www.pirellityre.com/web/motorcycle/.