The resurfacing of the Mandalika circuit, which will host the penultimate round of the WorldSBK championship this weekend, was completed a few days ago and the characteristics of the new asphalt are unknown.
The Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit was inaugurated last year as the final race of the 2021 “production-based” championship. Having also hosted the first round of MotoGP in March 2022, the complete resurfacing of the track became necessary. The Italian company Dromo was chosen for the work, and it created an innovative asphalt mixture to cope with the strong temperature variations that occur throughout the day due to the proximity of the roadside track. Wed. Changes have also been made to the curbs and the exit lanes have been widened.
The Indonesian island of Lombok will host, for the second time in history, the FIM Superbike World Championship on the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit which will host the penultimate round of the calendar next weekend. The track has been completely resurfaced and the works were completed a few days ago, so the characteristics of the new asphalt are not known, which is why Pirelli has decided to bring a wider range of tires than usual.
TIRE OPTIONS FOR THIS CIRCUIT
– At the front, there are two choices: the standard SC1 and the development SC1 A0843 (SC1A). This second solution debuted at Assen and was also brought to Most and Barcelona where it was the most used forward option. It uses the same structure as the A0674 solution but has a different tread compound capable of offering better mechanical resistance and greater protection against wear.
– There are three rear solutions: the super soft SCX, the soft SC0 and the new development SC1 A1126 which, like the A0843 front, has a more robust structure designed for the new asphalt and high temperatures than the standard solution.
– In WorldSSP, drivers will only have standard solutions and they will be able to choose between SC1 or SC2 at the front and SCX, SC0 and SC1 at the rear.
George Barbier, Pirelli Motorcycle Competition Director: “ The Indonesia-Australia back-to-back at the end of the season contains significant unknowns and challenges for us. Starting with Mandalika, whose complete resurfacing was only completed a few days ago, so no one knows the characteristics of the new asphalt. We will certainly find a non-gum circuit, tire wear could be more pronounced during Friday's free practice. We expect the situation to improve over the weekend as the track evolves, but we still don't know how aggressive the new surface can be. The tires for this round were shipped at the end of July and, based on what we saw last year and being aware of the possibility of the circuit being resurfaced, we decided to bring a allocation composed of both softer and harder and wear-resistant solutions, which is why at the rear in addition to the SCX and SC0 we also have the medium SC1. For the front, the standard SC1 is joined by the A0843 development which this year has proven to be the most durable option and in the races where it was present it has also been the most used front. Given the situation, it is difficult to say now whether the SCX, which is the softest rear available, will be able to be used in qualifying and the Superpole race, but if it is, drivers can count on a more than adequate quantity of tires. »
