Pirelli to rejoin WRC tire competition

MILAN, Italy (Aug. 2, 2013) — Pirelli Tyre S.p.A. is planning to re-enter the World Rally Championship (WRC) as a competition tire supplier next year after a three-year hiatus.

Pirelli will be one of four tire companies offering tires for the global series, sanctioned by the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile; the others will be Michelin Motorsports, DMACK Ltd. and Hankook Tire Co. Ltd., all of which are active this season as well.

Pirelli was the WRC's control tire supplier from 2008-10 — before it was awarded the contract for Formula 1 and the WRC returned to open tire competition — and supplied tires for the WRC Academy cars in 2011 and 2012.

"We've taken this decision following requests from our customers, now that the World and European (rally) championship regulations are becoming more closely aligned," said Pirelli Motorsports Director Paul Hembery.

"For the time being we don't have any agreements with any official manufacturers, so we're not expecting to compete for overall victories but instead provide the best possible service to our customers."

Mr. Hembery called rally competition — where racers compete on a variety of road surfaces, mostly on public roads closed for racing — a "fantastic challenge" because of the variety of road surfaces and climate conditions.

"Rallying is an extreme sport on the limit of adhesion, where the tires can make a massive difference," he said. "We're really looking forward to that challenge and becoming a proactive partner in a championship that is set to go from strength to strength, thanks to increased promotion and a high level of interest from new manufacturers."

Pirelli already is testing its P Zero asphalt and Scorpion gravel rally tires for next year, Mr. Hembery said.

"We are obviously very pleased to have competition between four manufacturers next year," said FIA Rally Director Jarmo Mahonen, "three of whom are already supporting our championships.

"Having Pirelli return to the series is also very positive, and together these four brands will provide a great platform for open competition as well as choice and variety for our competitors."

Pirelli said it has continued to supply competitors in several national rally championships since bowing out of the WRC at the end of the 2010 season. Pirelli said teams using its tires have recorded 180 WRC event wins over the past 40-plus years.

The opening round of the 2014 WRC will be the Rallye Monte Carlo, Jan. 14-19.