Metzeler introduces new Supersport tyre
A new racing Supersport tyre decorated with technology and engineering for pure performance without compromising tyre life
Metzeler descended upon the Spanish Circuit de Valencia last week for a presentation of the new RACETEC street-legal (DOT) racing supersport tyre, featuring the patented InteractTM multi-tension steel cord technology.
Kawasaki rider Joan Lascorz, winner of last years Supersport race at Valencia, was the special guest on hand to demonstrate an on-board camera lap before leading all riders on track to experience the RACETEC’s absolute performances: stability, handling and grip.
Riders had the choice of a variety of ’08 or ’09 specification supersport bikes from manufacturers Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Triumph, Superstock bikes from KTM and BMW and even four laps on Lascorz’s race winning World Supersport bike, all fitted with the new RACETEC tyres for the broadest evaluation of the tyres’ capabilities.
Dr. Peter Kronthaler, with over 30 years of R&D leadership at Metzeler Tyre stated: “The Metzeler new RACETEC is the ideal upgrade for lowering overall race time. It is engineered to give you the ideal grip level at every angle of lean while avoiding irregular wear. With the new InteractTM technology, we have taken the 0-degree steel cord to the next level, modifying each cord’s tension along the tyre surface to better adapt to the asphalt, lean angle and rider input.”
Joan Lascorz, Kawasaki World Supersport Rider
“I had so much of fun riding the street version of my Kawasaki Supersport bike on the Valencia circuit with Metzeler. I can say that it was really easy to lean into corners and to be quicker opening the gas with the new RACETEC. There was much feedback from the tyres that I could think more about my best lines on the track. Metzeler knows how to give racers what they need for fast riding on the track and the street.”
Metzeler racing success has become more visible since becoming the tyre supplier for the Superstock classes of the 2008 British Superbike Championship. Successful development in this series refined Metzeler’s Pure Racetime project, the ability to maintain consist performance during trackday or racing sessions, beneficial to amateur riders and top level professional racers, making it easier to go faster aboard all sport bikes from 600cc on.
The new RACETEC answers the specific demands of modern racing bikes with InteractTM Technology for maximum adaptability to different riding conditions, a new tread pattern design whose compact layout manages the trade-off between pure performance and performance lasting, and a new compound range with a wider application to satisfy the diversity of track conditions. The new RACETEC with InteractTM Technology confirms all of the key product benefits of the previous Racetec on road, while making it the top value-oriented racing Supersport tyre available.
Metzeler’s new RACETEC tyre is available now on the market in three compounds (K0, K1, K2) for professional street-legal (DOT) racing and one (K3) for racing street usage in the following sizes: Front – 120/70ZR17 (K0, K1, K2, K3) and Rear – 180/55ZR17 (K0, K1, K2, K3), 190/50ZR17 (K3) and 190/55ZR17 (K0, K1, K2, K3).