Pirelli Motorsport is ending its 2008 racing and support activities for the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series where it began – at Daytona International Speedway – as it begins testing the new 2009-specification Pirelli P Zero racing slicks this week in preparation for the 2009 Rolex 24 at Daytona.
A full field of Rolex Series Daytona Prototype and GT class competitors will have their first chance to run the new tires on Daytona’s 3.56-mile road course. This week’s tire test will allow teams to prepare for January’s season-opening 47th running of the noted endurance race. The “Pirelli Era” in the series began last January at the 46th annual event.
Although the test will mark the official debut of the 2009 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series P Zero, teams and drivers that assisted Pirelli with the development of the new tire have already provided positive initial reports.
Joao Barbosa usually turned his fastest 2008 race laps in the No. 59 Brumos Porsche Riley at the end of his stints and was one of the top drivers in getting maximum performance out of his Pirellis in longer runs. Already impressed with their durability and longevity, Barbosa believes the new P Zero racing slicks will also provide additional consistency and stability.
“I did a back-to-back comparison in a test a few weeks ago with the current Pirelli and the 2009 tire and it seems like it is a good step forward,” says Barbosa, who did his P Zero testing with Brumos at Daytona. “I was really pleased with what Pirelli had to show, and I am looking forward to being able to work on the car with the new tire. It seems like the tire is more consistent and we have picked up some more stability.”
Pirelli’s team of engineers and technicians worked closely with Grand-Am and the Rolex Series teams and drivers in the development of the 2009 P Zero.
This week’s test follows final testing of the 2008-specification Pirellis less than two weeks ago at Daytona. Next year’s schedule will begin in January when the Rolex Series return to “The World Center of Racing” on New Year’s Day for Rolex 24 Daytona Test Days. Paddock move-in will be the only activity during the holiday and teams will be able to take to the track for three days of testing beginning Friday, Jan. 2.
For more information, visit www.us.pirelli.com.
