Pirelli will be supplying tyres for six drivers in the next stop of the World Rally Championship (WRC) in Australia this weekend.
The tracks in South Wales are twisting gravel roads, testing the limits of Pirelli tyres. The tyre company will supply its new hard compound KHA Reinforced tyre for warm and dry conditions and its KSA Reinforced soft compound alternative for low temperatures and damp surfaces.
Lorenzo Bertelli will represent Pirelli in the headlining WRC1 class in his FWRT Ford Fiesta RS WRC, with Yazeed Al-Rajhi, Yuriy.
Protasov and Abdulaziz Al-Kuwari competing in Pirelli-shod Fiesta RRCs in the WRC2 division.
Gianluca Linari and Nathan Quinn will also on Pirelli tyres in WRC2 on Rally Australia. Robert Kubica decided to skip Rally Australia in order to concentrate on testing for the forthcoming asphalt rallies.
Terenzio Testoni, Pirelli product manager said “Australian gravel is particularly challenging and quite a tricky surface to adapt to for non-local drivers, so it’s important to supply a tyre that delivers plenty of grip and confidence.
We’re expecting weather conditions to be quite warm and there are some long stages as well, so durability will be just as important as performance, which is why the hard compound is nominated as our main tyre.
We’re introducing our new KHA and KSA tyres, where we’ve been working particularly on strength and performance stability.
Australia is the ideal place for this, as it’s characterised by abrasive surfaces and high temperatures. Lorenzo is aiming to learn and gain experience, but we will be aiming again for a top result in WRC2, having already enjoyed plenty of success in the category so far this year.”