The MINI Challenge is pleased to announce Pirelli as supplier of control tyres for the 2012 season.

Changing tyre supply is a major step for any race series, and the

 decision has not been taken lightly.

 ‘We were impressed with the amount of technical input available from Pirelli, no doubt filtering down from their rally and F1 knowledge base’ explained series promoter Paul Harvey.

To offer drivers ultimate grip and handling, the Mini Challenge asked Pirelli to provide the JCW class with both slick and wet options and the Club class with an intermediate tyre that is suitable across a range of conditions. “For the JCW cars we will provide a 225/625-17 DH Slick and 225/625-17 WS Wet tyre,” explains Carl Naylor, motorsport manager at Pirelli UK. “We tested the slick 

tyres and were immediately very happy with the performance and durability. As for the Club class we have selected an intermediate tyre with a hard compound ideal for the grip and speed required to compete in the series and suitable for all weather conditions. 

To celebrate the new partnership, the JCW Mini, donning its newly fitted 

Pirelli tyres, was unveiled on the Pirelli stand at the Autosport International show, alongside the new Skoda Fabia RS, which the 2012 Pirelli Star Driver, Jukka Korhonen, will use on this year’s British Rally Championship. Also on display were a range of Pirelli’s P Zero Formula One, GP2 and GP3 tyres.We will have fitting service and technical support at each event and have met the requirements from the MINI Challenge management to make this a lasting partnership”

‘The MINI CHALLENGE is also looking forward to working with the Pirelli promotional team, who have some great ideas to maximise the benefits of this partnership. After all MINI and Pirelli represent two of the great motor racing brands’ said Harvey