Dunlop has declared the official Supercars tyre test a success but has warned there will be a steep learning curve ahead to understand the full capabilities of the new 2017 rubber.
The tyre firm has produced a new construction of tyre for use in this year’s Virgin Australia Supercars Championship which is expected to provide the biggest shake-up for the sport since the introduction of the Car of the Future in 2013.
While last year’s compounds have been retained, the new tyres represent the first significant change since the Dunlop control tyre first emerged in 2002.
Supercars teams were issued with four sets of the new soft and super-soft tyres to evaluate at Sydney Motorsport Park on Tuesday ahead of next week’s Clipsal 500 season opener.
The rubber had previously undergone extensive laboratory testing by independent engineering firm, Calspan in Buffalo, New York State.
Dunlop’s Australian motorsport boss Kevin Fitzsimons says his team has plenty of data to analyse and was encouraged by the performance delivered on a high degradation circuit in hot conditions.
Nissan’s Rick Kelly topped the test by clocking the fastest Supercar lap recorded at the venue with a 1:28.77s on the super-soft tyre.
“We have experienced no problems whatsoever. Everything we had learned in the testing in America was replicated, so I’m extremely happy,” Fitzsimons told Speedcafe.com.
“Considering it was so hot and the surface is pretty poor, I was pretty encouraged that we got down to the times that we saw.
“It will be a steep learning curve for everyone but people made gains every time they went out.
“It seems quite a few of the teams have improved the front end of the cars with regards to turn-in.
“The teams spent a lot of time trying to find the balance between the front and the rear because if you had the front too aggressive it could really work the rear tyres and wear them out.
“We have got plenty of information to go away with and overall it was a good day.”
Fitzsimons admits there is still plenty to learn about the tyre’s longevity.
He fully expects teams to be cautious when running the rubber during next week’s Clipsal 500 season opener in Adelaide.
“It is critically important for everybody, as always, to finish at Adelaide and get as much mileage under your belt as possible,” he added.
“I dare say you may see some guys be conservative to make sure they are not overworking the tyres to give them the ability to attack towards the end of the race.”
The general feeling among the drivers is the new tyres provide a lot more grip compared to its predecessor, but the characteristics are not as pronounced as anticipated.
“I think the category could have elected for a bigger difference with the tyres if they wanted to,” Rick Kelly told Speedcafe.com.
“It might surprise us at a few races where it might require something different, but it seems reasonably easy to hop in and milk the most out of it initially.”
Prodrive Racing’s Chaz Mostert felt the new tyres lived up to the expectation.
“Tyre quality seems to be better and the times seem to be better,” Mostert told Speedcafe.com.
“In terms of reliability we will have to see over the course of the championship.
“Overall its good to be on something new and different. The car didn’t feel too different but there was more grip with the new construction.”
The new Dunlop tyres will face a thorough test amid the traditionally hot temperatures and 250km races at the Clipsal 500 from March 2-5.
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