There was quite a fuss about the single tyre ruling when first imposed in 2009 with some factions believing that it cheapened the world championship as a pioneering showcase of technology. Others, mainly from a sporting point of view, saw the regulation as a way of ensuring there was one less factor aside from the sophisticated degree of electronics in forging a difference between the riders. Allocation quantities and grumbles about the depth of material available have also provided a few bobbles on the road.
Nevertheless in a difficult time for motorsports, the Japanese firm’s alliance with MotoGP can only be seen as a positive thing, at least until the upcoming phase of the series’ 62 year history when a host of potentially new engineering ideas could shift the landscape.
Bridgestone celebrated their 71st GP victory in the space of just seven years with Casey Stoner’s win last weekend and the manufacturer has a sizeable task ahead with the third rule change in five years permitting the machines to a 1000cc capacity in 2012.
‘Their ongoing commitment at this early point is important in allowing us all to plan for the future, especially for the teams as they are already underway with their development plans for next year and the new 1000cc era, and I believe it also demonstrates the value of MotoGP as a business platform,’ commented Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta on Bridgestone’s dedication to the sport. (photo courtesy of Honda Pro images)
