Pirelli tyres show speed and consistency at Spa 24 Hours

At an unusually dry Spa 24 Hours, Pirelli tyres demonstrated the speed and consistency that make them the original equipment choice for the majority of the world’s supercar manufacturers.

Not only that, but Pirelli once more mounted the biggest logistical operation in its entire motorsport season, involving 9000 tyres, 20 trucks, 80 staff and non-stop 24-hour service.

Conditions this year were not typical of the Spa 24 Hours: there was no rain at all throughout the race, although there were some damp sections, and temperatures remained very low during the night in particular.

Pirelli brought the single P Zero compound that is required by the regulations, which has to suit a wide variety of different car configurations as well as circuits and conditions throughout the year. Spa is the most demanding track of the Blancpain GT season, with multiple forces placed on the tyres, including the famous compression at Eau Rouge.

There were a number of incidents and stoppages, but after 24 hours of racing among 61 cars, the win was only decided in the closing minutes, with the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT car of Vanthoor/Winkelhock/Rast claiming victory from the BMW Sports Trophy Team Marc VDS entry of Luhr/Werner/Paltalla. A gap of just seven seconds separated them, after 527 laps. This underlined how hard all of the drivers were pushing. Under these demanding circumstances, the Pirelli tyres proved to be flawless – allowing non-stop wheel-to-wheel racing throughout the day and night.