15
March
2017
|
18:16 PM
Europe/Amsterdam

New Dunlop Sport Maxx BTCC tyre promises significant laptime improvements

  • Dunlop has revealed the 2017 BTCC tyre choices
    Dunlop BTCC tyre choices
  • The new tyre range was unveiled at the BTCC Media Day
    The new tyre range was unveiled at the BTCC Media Day
  • The Dunlop Sport Maxx Prime and Options have distinctly different sidewalls to help fans identify tyre choices
    The Dunlop Sport Maxx Prime and Options have distinctly different sidewalls to help fans identify tyre choices
  • Dunlop has revealed the 2017 BTCC tyre choices
    Dunlop BTCC tyre choices
  • The new tyre range was unveiled at the BTCC Media Day
    The new tyre range was unveiled at the BTCC Media Day
  • The Dunlop Sport Maxx Prime and Options have distinctly different sidewalls to help fans identify tyre choices
    The Dunlop Sport Maxx Prime and Options have distinctly different sidewalls to help fans identify tyre choices

After initial testing of the new Dunlop Sport Maxx BTCC tyre range, the tyre company is forecasting lap time improvements of up to one second a lap at some circuits in 2017.

Dunlop had already predicted a significant increase in grip and traction following the introduction of bigger tyre sizes and new constructions for the 2017 season, and after initial winter testing can reveal the actual performance gains.

Teams have tested the new tyre at Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Donington, Silverstone, and Portimao (Portugal) but the most representative test came from the Spanish ParcMotor circuit where a wide range of teams attended.

The twisty circuit, west of Barcelona, was chosen due to its mix of fast and technical corners. The fastest recorded time in last year’s test was 1m 44.28 and Dunlop can confirm that this was beaten by nearly one second by many of the attending teams.

As a result of this test, Dunlop is predicting lap time improvements of around 0.5 sec per mile at most circuits.

The improvement comes from a combination of factors. Firstly, the tyre size 265/660R18, compared to the previous 245/650R18, represents a width increase of 20mm.

In addition to the increase in size, the performance improvement will come from an enhanced construction to improve steering response and braking stability. The compound will be the same as 2016.

Sport Maxx Prime

A new naming convention will help spectators to follow who is using which tyre. At all races (apart from Thruxton) the Sport Maxx Prime tyre will be used. This was formerly known as the Sport Maxx Medium and, as before, will be used by drivers in two of the three races at each event. This tyre will use a bright yellow sidewall logo.

Sport Maxx Option

In one race at each event a ‘Sport Maxx Option’ tyre will be used with a titanium sidewall marking to differentiate it from the Prime. This will be either a softer or harder compound than the Prime.

The choices for each circuit are shown in the attached table

BluResponse Wet

In addition, Dunlop have upgraded the ‘BluResponse Wet’ tyre to improve aquaplaning resistance with a revised tread pattern and the same 20mm width increase as the Sport Maxx Prime and Option dry tyres.

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