Bridgestone tie-up three year deal
Added on Tuesday, January 27th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Bridgestone tie-up three year deal
Bridgestone has finalised a three-year contract to become the sole tyre supplier of the MotoGP Championship.
The Japanese manufacturer, who entered premier class racing in 2002, will be the only tyre supplier from 2009 having previously competed alongside Michelin and Dunlop.
The decision to go to a single-tyre championship comes as part of a raft of cost-cutting and safety measures are set to be implemented into the sport although the controversy surrounding Michelin tyres mid-way through last season was also an influencing factor.
At Brno in particular, speculation surfaced over a possible boycott of the race by Michelin riders after concerns over the tyre’s performance on the surface. All of the Michelin-shod riders eventually ran, although only Jorge Lorenzo made it into the top ten.
MotoGP promoters Dorna then issued a tender for a sole tyre supplier, with only Bridgestone responding despite initially criticising the move.
The deal was nevertheless finalised earlier this week, much to the delight of Bridgestone chiefs and Dorna.
“In these turbulent times of economic crisis, Bridgestone is delighted to be working positively with Dorna to make an exciting contribution to MotoGP,” said Bridgestone Motorosport Director Hiroshi Yasukawa.
“We are dedicated to our support of MotoGP and being chosen as the official tyre supplier shows the high regard in which we are held by the sport in which we have been involved since 2002.
“Our participation in MotoGP is an important element of our position as the foremost tyre supplier in motorsport.”
Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna, added: “We are delighted to have secured Bridgestone as sole tyre supplier for all teams in the MotoGP class of the FIM World Championship for the next three years.
“Bridgestone is a company with a fantastic reputation and they make an outstanding contribution to motorsport.
“We strongly believe that this new agreement is very positive as it will simultaneously reduce costs and increase competition in MotoGP.”
