This weekend the MotoGP will be joining the AMA Pro Racing series for a weekend of racing at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Bridgestone will be bringing a special asymetric slick rear racing tire to ensure that the racing action doesn't slow down during cool, overcast mornings that are typical for the California coast.
"Last year at Laguna we saw an improvement in tire performance when we selected our asymmetric rear slicks for the first-time in the single supply era," said Hirohide Hamashima, Assistant to the Director of the Motorsport Tire Development Division. "I hope by choosing softer rear compounds this season we will see another step forward in performance.
"The conditions, especially in the mornings, can be quite cool at Laguna so our softer rears will improve warm-up performance, especially through the right-handers. There are fewer rights than lefts at the circuit, and the first two, turns three and four, are 90 degree corners which are more challenging for warm-up."
The Laguna Seca circuit is the shortest track on the MotoGP calendar. It is full of sharp turns and only has a short straight, which means that the tires will spend little time vertical.
"Long corners allow the tires to be leaned over and gradually build up heat throughout the corner, but 90 degree turns require a quick change of direction and the shoulder of the tire, the right shoulder in the case of Laguna, to warm-up very quickly," Hamashima said. "This is where the introduction of softer specs, and our extra soft compound in the right shoulders of the rear slick tires, will be the most beneficial."
Hiroshi Yamada, Manager of the Bridgestone Motorsports Department, added:
"America is a very important market for us. I am looking forward to going to Laguna, especially since the circuit has created some very thrilling and memorable races over the years."
