The Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix provides a unique challenge for tyre suppliers Bridgestone, due to the distinct characteristics of the various sections of track at the famous American venue and the ten left-hand corners as opposed to just six right-handers.
Bridgestone will therefore make medium and hard front slick compounds available, with hard and extra hard (asymmetric) slicks available for the rear tyres this weekend.
Indianapolis is regarded as an abrasive track, with durability being a key challenge, while braking stability is an issue due to the multitude of first and second gear corners, hence the decision to bring medium and hard compound front slicks.
Tohru Ubukata, Bridgestone's Motorcycle Tyre Development Manager, explains, "Indianapolis is like three tracks in one with the opening section designed for MotoGP bikes, the Formula One infield and the traditional oval course, and there are several surface changes because of this during a lap. The circuit is generally very abrasive although the level of abrasion changes with the surface meaning that our tyres will have to cope with a wide range of track conditions during each lap."
"The infield offers a succession of slow corners followed by hard acceleration and the circuit is also quite demanding on the front tyre due to some very hard braking points. We have chosen our asymmetric rear tyres for this race because the circuit uses the left side of the tyres much harder than the right sides - there are more left-handers and generally the fastest corners are lefts."
Meanwhile, Bridgestone's Motorsport Department Manager Hiroshi Yamada also comments, "Bridgestone has a great deal of experience at the Indianapolis circuit because of our involvement with the IndyCar Series and the Formula One World Championship, and Valentino (Rossi) won on our tyres last season in the first MotoGP race at the venue, so we have a good track record there."
"Conditions for the first race at Indianapolis were very hard because of the strong winds and rain from Hurricane Ike, so everyone will be hoping for an exciting race with more normal weather this year. The American market is important for Bridgestone Corporation so it will be a key weekend for us, and one in which I am confident we can play our part in another close and exciting battle."