Dunlop Motorcycle Europe has renewed its role as title sponsor and exclusive tire supplier for the Campionato Italiano Velocità (CIV) for another season. This marks its third consecutive year providing tires across all classes in the championship.

Under the agreement, Dunlop supplies the entire grid with slick and wet tires from its KR racing range, which includes both established race specifications and development tires. Around 130 riders are using Dunlop tires in the championship, with the Superbike class being the largest field at 37 riders.

At the Misano round, different classes receive specific tire allocations. In Superbike, riders can select from two front KR109 options and three rear KR108 options, including a qualifying tire. In the SS600 NG category, a new front tire (G2_01 VAL3) is being introduced alongside existing KR108 rear tires. This same development tire has recently been used in endurance racing, including the FIM EWC 24 Heures Motos.

CIV also functions as a development platform for Dunlop, where data from racing conditions is used to test and refine new tire technologies before they are introduced to other racing series and eventually made available for track-day use. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with CIV for another season, supporting one of Europe’s most competitive and exciting national championships,” said Roberto Finetti, marketing manager, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe. “It is exciting to support riders at all levels in CIV, from young future stars to the most skilled Superbike racers, each of whom benefits from our race-proven KR tire range and expert trackside support. We look forward to getting the new season underway this weekend at Misano.”

In related news, Dunlop introduces ScootSmart 2, with improved wet grip, handling and wider size range

The post CIV continues with Dunlop as exclusive tire supplier and development partner appeared first on Professional Motorsport World.

Pirelli has developed a specific P Zero R for the Porsche 911 Turbo S. The ultra-high-performance tire has been designed for everyday driving in sports cars and features a compound derived from Pirelli’s experience in motorsport. The product’s technological origins share the same DNA as Pirelli’s racing solutions, ensuring outstanding dynamic response for the most high-performance vehicles.

The 911 Turbo S’s P Zero R has been designed to effectively transfer the 523kW (711 hp) delivered by the engine to the ground. Its specific design enables it to handle torque of 800Nm, enhancing both the model’s dynamic capabilities and driving pleasure. In addition to optimal grip in dry conditions, the tire also offers consistent traction across different surfaces and a wide range of weather conditions, with particular attention to safety and control in wet conditions. The tread pattern has been engineered to minimize noise for improved comfort, while optimized rolling resistance contributes to the vehicle’s overall efficiency.

In line with the Pirelli Perfect Fit philosophy, each tire has been designed to precisely match the technical characteristics of its target vehicle. This well-established collaborative approach between Pirelli and Porsche has already led to the development of specific P Zero R fitments for other models in the 911 range, such as the Porsche 911 GTS, the first with a hybrid powertrain.

The new P Zero R tires for the Porsche 911 Turbo S feature the ‘N’ marking on the sidewall, symbolizing joint development to achieve optimal fitment for every version of the 911. To optimize the contact patch and traction of the new car, the rear axle uses 325/30 ZR 21 tires, 10mm wider than the previous generation. The front axle retains 255/35 ZR 20 tires.

Related news, Geobrugg recognized with top FIA environmental accreditation

The post Porsche 911 Turbo S gets bespoke Pirelli P Zero R appeared first on Professional Motorsport World.

Bespoke versions of the Pirelli P Zero R have been developed for the new Audi RS 5 and RS 3 Competition Limited. Designed to balance everyday usability with track performance, the tires have been developed with a focus on improved grip and shorter braking distances. Audi RS was among the first to adopt the P Zero R. The fitments build on more than 25 years of collaboration between Pirelli and Audi Sport in developing tailored tires for high-performance vehicles.

Ad-hoc development

Audi’s primary objective was braking performance. The P Zero R has been designed to approach the levels of performance of the semi-slick Trofeo R, delivering very short stopping distances and consistent deceleration under demanding conditions. To achieve this, Pirelli’s R&D center in Breuberg, working closely with its Milan headquarters, developed a new compound drawing on motorsport expertise.

The compound is optimized for strong grip even when cold, supporting Audi’s focus on safety and control during braking. While offering performance close to track-focused tires, the P Zero R remains suitable for everyday use and delivers improved efficiency, as reflected in its European label rating compared with other ultra-high-performance tires.

“The tire is the only connection between the vehicle and the road surface. Therefore, it plays a significant role in chassis development, especially in our RS models, where excellent handling has paramount importance,” said Steffen Bamberger, head of technical development at Audi Sport. “Plus a close, collaborative partnership is essential to achieving this level of performance.”

A balance of road and track

The RS 3 Competition Limited, created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the five-cylinder engine, features a coilover suspension, increased top speed and ceramic brakes, thus providing impressive driving dynamics.

Two tire options are available. The standard P Zero R offers strong grip in both dry and wet conditions while balancing everyday comfort with sporty performance. For more track-focused use, the P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick is road-legal but designed primarily for the circuit. Its asymmetrical tread and motorsport-derived compound deliver high levels of dry grip, improved stability and lateral support, and shorter braking distances.

Joint development

The development process leveraged digital simulation both at Pirelli and Audi’s R&D centers to simulate tire behavior, taking into account weight distribution and contact patch, and to optimize the management of high torque and wear resistance. Physical tests then confirmed the virtual data through joint sessions on some of the most demanding circuits in the world, from the Nürburgring Nordschleife for handling and durability to test tracks in Spain and laboratories in Milan.

Precision tire for RS level dynamics 

The RS 5, Audi Sport’s first high-performance plug-in hybrid, required the development of a new high-load (HL) tire size. The structure of the P Zero R has been reinforced to support the greater weight of the hybrid components, while ensuring the driving precision required for an Audi RS vehicle. This tire allows the high torque of the hybrid system to be effectively transferred to the road, offering greater grip and stability.

Related news, Former Mercedes engineer Dan Milner joins Williams F1 team

The post Pirelli develops bespoke P Zero R tires for Audi RS 5 and RS 3 Competition Limited appeared first on Professional Motorsport World.

The Lotus Cup China has appointed Giti Tire as official race tire supplier. The 2026 season will run across five rounds from April to December, featuring 17 teams, 58 drivers and 44 cars. Competitors will run the GitiCompete GTR1 slick tire in sizes 240/650R18 and 300/650R18.

The season opener took place last weekend (April 3-5) at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, which is known for its high temperatures and demanding layout, placing significant emphasis on tire durability, consistency and thermal performance. Round 2 will take place in Shanghai.

The GitiCompete GTR1 has been developed specifically for motorsport use, with a focus on grip, stability, and predictable handling under race conditions. Giti states that the tire’s construction and compound are designed to maintain performance under sustained load, while heat management characteristics support consistent lap-to-lap behavior. The tire has been engineered to deliver responsive steering feedback, enabling drivers to extract performance in high-speed and high-load cornering situations.

Giti uses motorsport as a development tool for its wider product portfolio, with data from tire wear, heat cycles and grip performance feeding into future product development and refinement.

Related news, Ariel unveils hand-built, motorsport‑spec Atom 4RR

The post GitiCompete GTR1 selected as official tire for Lotus Cup China 2026 appeared first on Professional Motorsport World.

Kumho Tire USA has announced a three-year sponsorship extension with Formula Drift. Additionally, drivers Jeff Jones, Andy Hateley, Rome Charpentier, Jack Shanahan, Ryan Litteral and Cody Buchanan will represent Team Kumho in the 2026 Formula Drift Pro Championship. Supported drivers will run Kumho Ecsta V730 tires, engineered for the demanding conditions of competitive driving environments.

“As one of the most popular motorsports in the United States for millennial and Gen Z generations, Formula Drift offers an unparalleled platform to showcase the ultra-high performance capabilities of Kumho tires and we are thrilled to be an official tire sponsor through 2029,” said Shawn Denlein, president of sales and marketing. “We are also incredibly proud to partner with an elite lineup of Formula Drift Pro drivers in 2026, equipping them with cutting-edge tires as they push the limits of skill and precision on the track.”

Related news, Seven teams to run Bridgestone tires in 2026 EWC

The post Three-year extension sees Kumho continue as an official tire of Formula Drift appeared first on Professional Motorsport World.

Bridgestone will supply Battlax motorcycle tires to seven teams in the 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), up from five teams in 2025, as it continues a partnership with the series that began in 2017.

The announcement follows a successful 2025 season in which the Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team secured the championship at the Bol d’Or. Bridgestone-equipped teams also filled five of the top six positions in the overall standings, with the company extending its title-winning streak in the series with the fifth consecutive year that a Bridgestone-equipped team has won the championship.

“The FIM Endurance World Championship represents the ultimate proving ground for tire performance, durability and innovation. The 2025 season once again demonstrated the consistency and capability of Bridgestone tyres under the toughest racing conditions,” said Nico Thuy, director motorcycle at Bridgestone EMEA. “Following this success, we are proud to offer our expertise and top-performing tires to seven teams for 2026.”

Bridgestone Battlax racing tires are engineered with advanced materials and construction technologies that deliver maximum grip, consistent performance and exceptional durability throughout race distances. Designed to perform across varying weather and track conditions, they provide riders with “the confidence to push to the limit”, the tire maker said.

For 2026, Bridgestone will support AutoRace Ube Racing Team, BMW Motorrad World Endurance Team, F.C.C. TSR Honda France, Kawasaki Webike Trickstar, KM99 Yamaha, Yamalube YART Yamaha EWC Official Team and Yoshimura SERT Motul.

Bridgestone uses racing as a mobile laboratory to refine its tire technology under extreme conditions, with these innovations then transferred to future tires available to all riders. The FIM EWC includes races that last between eight and 24 hours, which places immense and sustained stress on tires, creating ideal conditions to test and develop advanced compounds, construction technologies and durability solutions.

Technologies developed in EWC competition have contributed to products such as the Racing Battlax V03 slick and the Racing Battlax Street RS12 road-legal performance tire, which the company says brings race-derived performance to broader motorcycle applications.

The 2026 EWC season will begin at Le Mans, France, on April 18 and conclude with the Bol d’Or at Circuit Paul Ricard in September.

Related news, Bridgestone outlines 2026 motorsport activities

The post Seven teams to run Bridgestone tires in 2026 EWC appeared first on Professional Motorsport World.

Bridgestone Corporation has confirmed its motorsports plans for 2026, with continued involvement across a wide range of global and domestic racing categories, from top-tier championships to grassroots events.

The manufacturer uses motorsport as a “mobile laboratory”, using track-developed technologies to inform the development of consumer and commercial tire products. Bridgestone supplies tires under the Bridgestone and Firestone brands to top-tier racing series.

In four-wheel racing, the tire maker will continue supplying its Bridgestone tires to Japan’s Super GT series, where teams running Potenza tires have secured five consecutive overall championships in both GT500 and GT300 classes, and the Firestone brand will continue as the exclusive tire supplier to the NTT IndyCar Series, including the Indianapolis 500.

On the two-wheel side, Bridgestone’s Battlax tires will again support teams in the FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC), where they have contributed to five consecutive titles and six overall championships in the series.

Hiroshi Imai (above), vice president and senior officer for global motorsports, Bridgestone Corporation, emphasized the company’s collaborative approach: “Motorsports is the ultimate team sport. Everyone involved will come together as ‘One Team’, embracing the challenge of motorsports with passion and supplying tires we have poured our hearts and souls into. I feel as if I’m rolling along with our tires on the track!”

Related news, Swindon Powertrain celebrates 10 years as Bosch Motorsport dealer

The post Bridgestone outlines 2026 motorsport activities appeared first on Professional Motorsport World.

Falken Motorsports will return to the ADAC Ravenol Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) and the ADAC Ravenol 24h Nürburgring in 2026, fielding its teal-and-blue Porsche 911 GT3 R with start number 44. The team aims to continue its strong performance on the Nordschleife following a dominant 2025 season.

Last year, Falken Motorsports secured five NLS victories, including four one-two finishes, 12 podiums and two pole positions, earning the NLS Speed Trophy for the second consecutive year. The team has been a near-continuous presence at the 24h Nürburgring since 1999, establishing itself as a mainstay in both racing and the event environment.

The 2026 Porsche 911 GT3 R builds on the 992 chassis introduced in 2023, with aerodynamic enhancements to improve drivability. The car will run on Falken’s own racing tire, equipped with the Sensing Core sensorless monitoring system, which debuted at the Nürburgring in 2025. The system uses machine learning to analyze wheel-speed signals in real time, detecting pressure, load and wear to support pit-stop strategy and reduce puncture risks.

The driver line-up emphasizes continuity and experience. Returning are Klaus Bachler, who has previously won with Falken on the Nordschleife, and Sven Müller, a long-standing team member. Dutch former DTM driver Morris Schuring, who joined the team in 2025 and won on his Falken debut, will also compete. Tim Heinemann, part of the team since 2022 and recognized as one of the fastest GT3 drivers at the Nürburgring, completes the quartet.

According to Falken, the team brings a mix of experience, Nordschleife knowledge and a winning mentality, providing the best conditions for another successful season.

In addition to the Porsche entry, Falken will continue its partnership with Max Kruse Racing, which has used Falken since 2021. Falken has extended its collaboration with the 24h race through 2028, ensuring the brand’s continued presence on all participating cars.

The post Falken Motorsports set for Nürburgring endurance campaigns in 2026 appeared first on Professional Motorsport World.

Dario Marrafuschi took over as head of Pirelli’s motorsport business unit on March 1, succeeding Mario Isola, who will support the transition until July 1 before leaving the company.

Marrafuschi, who joined Pirelli in 2008, has extensive Formula 1 R&D experience and recently led the development of the company’s road products. Like his predecessor, he will report to Giovanni Tronchetti Provera, executive vice president of sustainability, new mobility and motorsport.

In related news, Pirelli begins third season as exclusive tire supplier for Thailand Moto2 and Moto3

The post Dario Marrafuschi appointed head of motorsport at Pirelli appeared first on Professional Motorsport World.

ZC Rubber has announced it is extending its partnership with the Red Bull Driftbrothers. Since last year, the Chinese tire manufacturer has been the official tire and equipment partner of the German motorsport team featuring Elias and Johannes Hountondji under its Westlake Performance Tires brand. The collaboration focuses on equipping the BMW vehicles used in competitions, exhibitions and show drifts. The team’s fleet includes a BMW M2 built for the 2026 season, two BMW M4 models with 1,000hp each and a BMW E30 show car.

The partnership extension will focus on the technological development of the Westlake Sport RS2, with engineers and teams from ZC Rubber and the Red Bull Driftbrothers – which comprises Elias and Johannes Hountondji – collaborating to test it and develop it further under race conditions.

The latest generation of this high-performance competition tire provides precise handling, maximum stability and consistently strong performance across all temperatures and the full tread depth. Customers interested in competition use can access this innovation through ZC Rubber’s retail partners, as the Westlake Sport RS2 will be available for purchase.

Jeffrey Zhang, general manager of the international business department, Zhongce Rubber Group, said, “We are excited to continue our partnership with the Red Bull Driftbrothers. The experience of Elias [Hountondji, driver and engineer, Red Bull Driftbrothers] and the constructive exchange with his team are extremely valuable for technology and the performance of our products. This is demonstrated very clearly in the development of the Westlake Sport RS2. The demanding drift sport is also an excellent platform for illustrating the performance of our tires. We look forward to the joint events, where we intend to activate our partnership for the European market.”

Red Bull Driftbrothers’ Hountondji added, “Having a reliable and high-performance tire partner is enormously important in our sport. With ZC Rubber, we have had such a partner at our side since last year and are very pleased to continue the cooperation. Together, we have further optimized the rubber compound of the Westlake Sport RS2. The result is a high-performance tire that we can rely on 100%, even under extreme loads, to ensure that the level of grip does not drop. The fact that the tire will soon also be available to customers makes us even more delighted.”

Related news, Bf1systems launches pocket-size instant TPMS diagnostic tool

The post ZC Rubber extends partnership with Red Bull Driftbrothers appeared first on Professional Motorsport World.