Yokohama will hit the ground running this weekend when the 2008 FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) kicks-off at Curitiba, Brazil: the hottest venue on the calendar.
Previously scheduled in the winter months, last year the South American fixture was moved to Brazil’s hottest season, piling the pressure on Yokohama with 10o temperature increases compared to previous visits.
“Some people think if the ambient temperature is high the heat of the tyre goes up disproportionately more than if it were cooler,” said Yokohama Technical Consultant Ian Beveridge.
“That’s not our experience though. As long as the tyre is within its normal working limits and it doesn’t get over-driven, in other words sliding the car around a lot, a higher ambient temperature does not give a disproportionate increase in the heat of the rubber.”
Temperature plays a major role in the performance of a tyre, which has to deal with a myriad of stresses in WTCC, including some fierce, exciting driving from some of the biggest names in touring cars.
Current FIA WTCC Champion Andy Priaulx said of next week’s race: “I am really looking forward to next weekend; I can’t wait to jump behind the wheel and get back to racing. I think the tyres will play an important part, especially on turns one and five where we need maximum grip for over-taking.”
Andy Priaulx should know approximately what to expect after driving a largely similar car at Curitiba last year. For some, however, that will not be the case.
“If everyone turns up with diesels, which are intrinsically heavier and put more stresses on the tyres, we’ll need to manage that situation,” said Beveridge, referring to SEAT’s switch from petrol mid-2007.
“We just have to recommend to the teams that they take some camber off to de-stress the tyre and spread the load more evenly.”
Eurosport’s coverage of WTCC’s first race weekend will begin Saturday 1 March with qualifying aired live on Eurosport International from 19.00 (CET).
Live coverage on Sunday 2 March will start at 13.00 (CET) with the 15-minute warm-up session shown on Eurosport 2, followed by race one from 17.00 (CET) and race two from 20.00 (CET) both shown live on Eurosport International.
Curitiba track facts
Length of circuit / turns - 3,695m / 11
Distance:turn ranking (1-10)* - 5.01 (sixth most demanding 2008 WTCC track)
Length of longest straight - 980m
Race distance - 3,695m x 14 = 51,730m
Average speed of 2007 winner - Farfus, 152.62kph (weather/track sun 24º/dry 32º)
*Where 10 is the 2008 WTCC circuit with the most turns/KM
