Bridgestone MotoGP Preview: Japan

Oct. 25, 2013

The penultimate round of the 2013 MotoGP season takes place at the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, a technical circuit with strong braking and acceleration zones and an abrasive, high-grip track surface.
 
Measuring 4.8 kilometres in length Motegi is characterized by four straights that create numerous heavy braking and acceleration zones. The layout places the centre of the section of the tyres at under considerable stress, so the allocated tyres need to provide high levels of front stability under braking, and good rear grip for acceleration.
 
Bridgestone will debut a new super-soft asymmetric rear slick at Motegi that will be available exclusively to CRT riders and the entire rear slick allocation for this year’s Japanese Grand Prix will be one step softer than last year. The tarmac at Motegi is quite abrasive so Bridgestone has developed these tyres with good warm-up performance and grip, while still maintaining high levels of durability. Rear tyre options for the CRT riders are the super-soft and extra-soft compounds, while the works riders will be able to use the extra-soft and soft compounds. Front slick options are the soft and medium compounds. The main wet tyre for the Japanese Grand Prix is the soft compound wet tyre, although all riders will also be able to select up two front and two rear wet tyres in the alternative, hard compound if they desire.
 
Hiroshi Yamada - Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Department
“Bridgestone’s home race at Motegi is always a huge event for us as there is just as much happening off track as there is on it. We will have many guests for the Japanese Grand Prix and many senior executives will also be present to watch Bridgestone support the world championship in our own backyard. It has been an extremely busy week for us as we continue to investigate the problems we had last weekend at Phillip Island, while also undertaking our normal preparations for the race weekend ahead. It has been a number of years since the riders world championship was decided at Motegi, but there is a real chance of it happening this weekend so my excitement heading into this race is even greater than usual. Currently the weather is quite poor at Motegi, but whatever the weather brings we are prepared and I can’t wait to see the battle between the riders on Sunday.”