Round eleven of the 2013 MotoGP season the series returns to Europe with the Czech Republic’s stunning Brno circuit providing riders with technical corners and big elevation changes.
Measuring 5.4 kilometres in length, Brno is one of the longer circuits on the MotoGP calendar and has numerous technical corners including four left-right corner combinations. The circuit also features an elevation difference between the highest and lowest part of the circuit of over 70 metres which make braking into the downhill sections challenging, thus requiring the front tyre to provide excellent stability. A high grip levels from the rear tyre is also important to ensure good drive onto the straight parts of the circuit. Adding to the technical complexity of this circuit for tyres is the abrasive tarmac which demands superior durability.
There are eight right-hand and six left-hand corners at this circuit and though asymmetric rear slicks are provided, the loads imposed across the left, centre and right of the rear tyre are similar. The rear slick tyre options for CRT riders at Brno are the soft and medium compounds, while the works riders get the medium and hard compound options.
Bridgestone originally planned to introduce a new hard compound rear tyre at the Czech Republic Grand Prix, but after recent testing at the Brno circuit has decided to change supply. Another hard tyre specification which has a softer compound on left side with current hard compound on the right side will be supplied this weekend and this change was made in agreement with the Grand Prix commission at Indianapolis. Front slick options for the Czech Grand Prix are the soft and hard compounds and the main wet tyre is the soft compound option.
Hiroshi Yamada - Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Department
“For good reason Brno is one of the favourite tracks on the calendar for MotoGP racers and fans as it is a wide circuit with a technical layout that has produced many thrilling races over the years. There is always a huge crowd in the Czech Republic for MotoGP races and this also adds to the allure of the event. Last year at this circuit we saw an amazing last-lap battle between Jorge and Dani and I expect both these riders to be very competitive this weekend as they continue their recovery from injury, and focus on closing the championship points gap to Marc who is riding extremely well at the moment.”
Shinji Aoki - Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Tyre Development Department
“The Brno circuit was resurfaced in 2008 and since then has been quite abrasive on tyres, posing more of a challenge for tyre durability and requiring harder rubber compounds, particularly for the front tyre. The corners are generally fast and flowing so the lateral loads generated are high - particularly on the right shoulders - and the elevation changes also present a challenge for the front tyres, especially into the downhill corners where the weight transfer under braking places them under extreme loads. The medium speed corners require good shoulder stability from the rear tyres and good traction on corner exit. Finding a good setup at this circuit is important, as excessive sliding from the rear at this circuit can hurt lap times and also rapidly accelerates tyre wear given the abrasiveness of the tarmac.”
