Italian tyre firm Pirelli has confirmed that it will continue to support the GT Cup Championship as the sole tyre supplier until at least 2014.
This year’s series consists of 23 races split over eight rounds, and takes place at the crème de la crème of British race circuits including Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Donington Park. For two-day rounds, competition consists of one qualifying session followed by three sprint races. One-day rounds include a qualifying session followed by two races, with each race expected to last between 20 and 30 minutes.
The introduction of GT3 homologated cars onto the grid for the first time has led to a host of different cars present on this year’s championship. Pirelli has been on hand to supply slick tyres in DM and DH specification as well as wet tyres in WS and WH compounds since 2010. To help cater for the various cars on the grid, a wide range of different tyre sizes have been made available.
Representatives from Pirelli UK met with championship organisers, Bute Motorsport, at Pirelli’s Didcot base last week to discuss the terms of the contract. It was agreed that Pirelli would continue to support the GT Cup as the championship’s official tyre supplier until the end of 2014.
Pirelli UK Motorsport’s Operation Manager, Matthew Corby, said: “The GT Cup Championship is home to some of the most spectacular racing cars in British motorsport, and we are delighted to continue our partnership with this prestigious series. The opening two rounds have proved very exciting and with the new regulations introduced for 2012, I look forward to watching the series grow from strength to strength.”
GT Cup Championship organiser Marc Haynes said: “I am delighted the GT Cup Championship will continue its association with Pirelli for another three years. The Pirelli brand is legendary and with the current experience they have supplying tyres to the top rank of motorsport from Formula One to FIA GT, we benefit enormously from their expertise. The level of technical and paddock support is first class and this is great news for the future stability of the championship for another three years.”
The third round of this year’s GT Cup Championship will take place at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit next month (16-17 June).
