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  The
Power Race incorporates much of the same technology that helped Valentino
Rossi win the 2005 MotoGP World Championship. |
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Valentino Rossi clinched his fifth consecutive Grand Prix world championship
in September, he joined some elite company. Only GP legends Giacomo Agostini
and Mick Doohan had previously taken the laurels five or more years in
a row in a single category.But as impressive as those accomplishments may be, there's one current MotoGP competitor who has an unbroken string of 14 straight world championships. No, it's not a rider, or even a motorcycle manufacturer. It's Michelin, GP racing's most dominant tire manufacturer. The last time any other tire company won a MotoGP or 500cc title was in 1991, and Michelin has won 25 of the last 30 premier-class championships, dating back to the late Barry Sheene's crown in 1976. Perhaps even more impressive is the fact that Michelin has won 159 of 166 GPs contested over the past 11 seasons- asuccess rate of 95.7 percent. Despite determined opposition from rival brands, Michelin remains the tire of choice for MotoGP riders who want consistent performance throughout the season, evidenced by the 32 of 39 podium positions claimed by Michelin riders so far this year (through the Malaysian GP). So what does this mean for the typical street-tire consumer? Plenty. The relationship between Michelin racing tires and its high-performance street tires is much closer than you might think. For example, the rubber mix of the Pilot Power sport tire incorporates synthetic elastomers that were originally developed for MotoGP racing. This gives the Pilot Power incredible grip and exceptionally quick warm-up time, while delivering impressive durability. The Pilot Power's semi-slick tread pattern features a void area (land-sea ratio) of just 13.28 percent on the front tire and a mere 11.58 percent on the rear. A lower void ratio promotes greater tread rigidity, which enhances grip in aggressive riding situations. But despite its minimalist tread design, the Pilot Power isn't just a dry-weather tire. On the Michelin test track at Ladoux, France, riders using Pilot Power tires achieved a 41.9-degree lean angle - in full wet conditions! Suggested retail for the Pilot Power ranges from $326 to $380 per set. Going several steps further toward integrating MotoGP technology in a street-legal tire is the Michelin Power Race. The revolutionary Two-Compound Technology (2CT) used in several Power Race tires employs different compounds in the center and on the shoulders of the tread, achieving optimal performance while adapting to the constantly changing forces acting on a tire's contact patch. 2CT divides the tread into two zones, each of which uses a rubber mix suited to its specific performance requirements. The center tread compound withstands the forces of rapid acceleration or hard braking, while the tread shoulders use a softer compound, to match the reduced stresses experienced at full lean, when speeds are lower and there's little or no acceleration. The softer compound in turn provides better grip while cornering. Just like MotoGP racers, riders can now choose exactly the right combination of compounds to suit their personal riding styles. The Michelin Power Race family comprises six tires (three front and three rear) to cover the broadest possible range of street and track applications. In addition, virtually all Power Race production uses Michelin's highly secretive C3M process, the same used to make MotoGP tires. Thanks to this technology, Michelin Power Race tires are some of the lightest DOT race tires available. Reduced rotating weight helps improve acceleration and braking performance, while the lower unsprung weight means your suspension does less work to keep the tires in contact with the road over bumps. Suggested retail for the Power Race ranges from $388 to $542 per set. For more information, visit michelin-us.com. |
For more information see:
www.michelin.com
