World Superbike’s spec-tire contract with Pirelli comes to a conclusion after the 2015 season, and as such the Dorna WSBK Organization, in agreement with the FIM, has announced that it is taking bids from companies who are willing to be the sole-tire supplier of the World Superbike Championship from 2016 onwards. Interested parties will have to contact Gregorio Lavilla, the WSBK Sporting Director, and have their offers in by August 25th.
So far, no manufacturer has been hotly linked to takeover the spec-tire duties, so it’s possible that Pirelli could remain in the WSBK fray. With MotoGP set to have Michelin take over as its spec-tire supplier in 2016 as well, it is interesting to see the tire contracts for the two top international motorcycle racing series expiring as both series make sweeping rule changes.
Whomever takes over the World Superbike tire contract, they will have to build a tire around what is now the EVO spec of machinery, which will have less horsepower than the current crop of superbikes, and thus have different tire demands.
Source: WorldSBK
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