STRONG DEBUT FOR PIRELLI SHANNONVILLE, ON Pirelli began the process of preparing for its first season as spec tire supplier to the Parts Canada Superbike Championship by conducting a two-day test with some of the top racers in the series at Shannonville Motorsport Park this week. Representatives from the company’s Milan headquarters, including racing activities manager Giorgio Barbier attended the evaluation, which was held in cool but mostly sunny conditions on Monday and Tuesday. Despite the uncertain weather there was an overwhelmingly positive response from both competitors and Pirelli staff. The Pirelli crew brought a selection of DOT and slick rubber options. Slicks were available in both 17-inch and 16.5-inch sizes. The 16.5-inch tires were similar to those used in the World Superbike and World Supersport Championships, where Pirelli is also the spec tire supplier. Information from this week’s test will form the basis for a new line of 17-inch tires for the Canadian series, which mandates the use of stock 17-inch rims. “We would have liked to have a warm situation to look at the broader range of harder compounds,” Barbier said. “In spite of cold temperatures, we haven’t seen any bad tearing or wearing on the tires, so the colder weather has given us some good information. We are using the same tires used in World Superbike and World Supersport and we are getting the same feedback from these riders as we do in World Superbike.” Canadian Kawasaki Motors rider Tom Kipp set the best time over the two days with a one minute, 44.373 seconds on his Kawasaki ZX-10R. He recorded the time on the first day when conditions were cool (between seven and 14 degrees Celsius) but sunnier than on the second day. “I’m very happy,” said the Chardon, OH rider. “The tires seem to do a lot of things very well. They absorb the bumps well. There’s good grip. I have a good feeling these tires will be durable and last over a race distance. I think they’ll be a good tire for our championship.” The test also included Parts Canada Superbike champion Francis Martin and fellow Suzuki rider Clint McBain, Honda racers Steve Crevier, Jordan Szoke and Andrew Nelson, Yamaha’s Pascal Picotte and Jeff Williams on a Kawasaki. Canadian Thunder champion Darren James, on a Buell and Ducati’s Derek Vammus also evaluated DOT tires on behalf of the Thunder series. Martin recorded the fastest 600 Sport Bike time with a 1:45.730 on his Suzuki GSX-R600 on Tuesday. “I’m pretty impressed,” said Crevier, who won the 2005 Hindle Exhaust Pro 600 Sport Bike title for the Diablo Honda team. “It seems we’re adapting well. The product is good. I think there’s great potential.” Pirelli has signed a three-year deal to provide the spec tires for all five classes of the Parts Canada Superbike Championship.