Pirelli will present the latest version of its Sottozero Ice studded tire at the second round of the FIA World Rally Championship, the Rally of Sweden.
The Sottozero Ice J1B was designed to handle the increased demands of the new generation of hybrid-propelled Rally1 cars, which made an exciting debut at the Rallye Monte-Carlo last month.
A new generation
The Junior WRC season also starts in Sweden with the first of five rounds. For the first time, the series will run with four-wheel drive Rally3 cars, unlike the two-wheel drive Rally4s previously used, with the aim of providing an accessible step up the rally pyramid for young drivers.
Eight of them will compete in Sweden on Ford Fiesta Rally3 built and operated by M-Sport Poland equipped with Pirelli tires: these are Sami Pajari, Lauri Joona, Jon Armstrong, Robert Virves, William Creighton, Jean-Baptiste Franceschi, McRae Kimathi and Roustemis Panagiotis .
Craig Breen, Paul Nagle, Ford Puma Rally1
Photo by: M-Sport
Why tires are important in Sweden
The Rally of Sweden is the only pure winter race of the season that takes place on ice and snow, with temperatures between -5 ° C and -10 ° C in the week leading up to the rally. This means that there will be ice on the HP, but also that in some places there may be patches of mud.
Sweden-specific tires are crucial in winter conditions, thanks to the special studded design that attacks the slippery surface to provide riders with remarkable levels of grip.
Skoda Fabia Rally2 2022
Photo by: Skoda Motorsport
Pirelli tires in Sweden
Sottozero Ice J1B: The regulation allows the use of only one type of studded tires in each Class. The Sottozero Ice J1B will be used by the Rally1 and Rally2 cars and is an evolution of last year’s J1A.
It features a total of 384 tungsten-tipped nails, each protruding seven millimeters from the tread. The rest of the nail is locked in place using Pirelli’s patented vulcanization process, rather than being inserted later.
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, testing in Finland
Photo by: Toyota Racing
Sottozero Ice WJA
The less powerful Rally3s of the Junior WRC will use the Sottozero Ice WJA tire, which features many of the same features as the J1B, including seven-millimeter spikes and Pirelli’s unique vulcanization technology.
Terenzio Testoni, Rally Activities Manager: “The increase in power and weight of the new Rally1 cars required us to optimize our entire range of WRC tires and at Rally Sweden we will see the debut of our new Sottozero Ice tire, the J1B”.
“Like its predecessors, this will provide riders with incredible grip. The new race venue should ensure a more consistent ice bottom for the pitons, although our special vulcanization process has always helped to keep them in place even when the pitons. temperatures are milder and with more land emerging on the roads “.
“This could happen this year, testing the retention capabilities of the nails, but we’ll have to see when we get there.”
“We are thrilled that the Junior WRC season begins in Sweden for the first time with four-wheel drive cars. It is a big step in helping young drivers reach the top in rallies, which is something Pirelli is proud to support, too. thanks to programs such as the FIA Rally Star. We are delighted to take another step forward here in Sweden. “
Skoda Fabia Rally2 2022
Photo by: Skoda Motorsport
Pirelli in numbers
Pirelli will bring about 1400 tires to Sweden, of which 1200 will be Sottozero Ice J1B for the Rally1 car class and for the Rally2 cars, which include those entered in the WRC2.
Each Rally1 car driver can use up to 26 tires during the rally, while Rally2 drivers have up to 24. Competitors in both categories have a separate allocation for using them in the shakedown.
Pirelli will also supply 176 Sottozero Ice WJA tires for Junior WRC drivers, who can use up to 22 of them throughout the event, including the shakedown.
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, testing in Finland
Photo by: Toyota Racing
The big number: 400
This year the Rally of Sweden moves north from its traditional venue in the Värmland region of Umeå. Considered to be the capital of northern Sweden, it is approximately 400 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle and 600 kilometers north of the capital Stockholm.
The shift should theoretically provide greater assurance of the typical winter conditions of this rally. Some of the PS have previously been used in the Swedish championship, but will be new to most of the drivers.
#WRC #Pirelli #brings #Sottozero #Ice #Swedish #Rally