Pirelli has sealed a three-year agreement as the exclusive tire
supplier for the Citroen Racing Trophy, a one-make rally series
that will take place throughout 10 countries in 2011.
The events are open to all of Citroen’s two-wheel drive rally
cars, including the C2-R2 MAX and the recently-unveiled DS3 R3,
which claimed five class victories during its debut season last
year, including third overall at the Rallye du Valais in
Switzerland.
The cars will be using a selection of Pirelli’s asphalt and gravel
tires, which are based on a technology that is similar to the tire
that ran in the World Rally Championship from 2008 to 2010.
“These were extremely resistant tires, bearing a puncture rate of
less than 0.02 percent over the three years when Pirelli was
exclusive supplier to the series,” says motorsports director Paul
Hembery.
The DS3 R3 will use the 17-inch RX and RE asphalt tire and a 15-
inch K tire on gravel.
The R2 cars will use the same range of rubber, but the asphalt RX
and RE tire will be the 16 inches in size.
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Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Italy, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Switzerland and the United Kingdom will
comprise the circuit.
The series gives drivers maximum flexibility by allowing them to
mix and match events between different countries, with about 100
European rallies participating during the course of the
season.
This year’s competition will get underway with the Rallye Torrie
in Portugal and the Rallye Sunseeker in the UK, with both events
taking place at the end of February over the same weekend.
“It’s a great pleasure and privilege for us to renew our
association with Citroen in rallying,” says Hembery. “This time,
Pirelli’s focus is on supporting the champions of tomorrow, who
are set to learn their trade all over Europe thanks to the Citroen
Racing Trophy.”
He says the series is “an excellent training ground that will
ensure the future of the sport is in safe hands.”
Hembery points out that “rallying remains a key plank” of the tire
maker’s racing program, “which is why we are particularly pleased
to be present with Citroen in this exciting and innovative one-
make series that will see our tires competing with up-and-coming
talent on some of Europe’s most important international
rallies.”
For more information, visit www.us.pirelli.com.
