Pirelli change tire compounds for Hungarian GP - MotorSportsTalk

Pirelli have changed their tire allocation for the Hungarian Grand Prix at the end of the month following a successful race in Germany that saw no failures or major issues with their compounds.

The Italian tire supplier had initially planned to bring its two hardest compounds – hard and medium – to the race, confusing many as the Hungaroring has been known to be particularly sympathetic on tires in the past, with Pirelli bringing their softest compound (supersoft) to the race in 2011. However, the decision has been taken to use the medium and soft tire at the grand prix, matching the compounds used at last season’s race which was won by Lewis Hamilton for McLaren.

The race in Hungary will mark the introduction of the 2012 tire constructions using the 2013 compounds following safety fears after the fiasco that ensued at the British Grand Prix. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association’s members had threatened to boycott the last race in Germany if their safety could not be guaranteed, but thankfully the race went ahead with no problems using the ‘prototype’ 2013 tire which will now be shelved for the time being.

Pirelli had sought to alter last year’s tires in order to avoid the succession of one-stop races that ensued towards the end of 2012. However, this should be avoided this season as the 2013 compounds are used with the 2012 construction, meaning a continuation of the wear rates we have seen so far this season. This does mean that teams will need to make subtle changes to their setups as the 2012 tires are a slightly different shape which could affect the aerodynamic balance of a car.

In a continuing effort to help fans keep track of the on track action, SuperMotocross is in the process of developing and implementing leader lights for the unified series.

Currently Supercross (SMX) utilizes stanchions in the infield that are triggered manually by a race official. At least two stanchions are used in each race as a way to draw the eye to the leader, which is especially useful in the tight confines of the stadium series when lapping often begins before the halfway mark in the 22-bike field. This system has been in place for the past two decades.

Later this year, a fully automated system will move to the bike itself to replace the old system. At that point, fans will be able to identify the leader regardless of where he is on track.

The leader lights were tested in the second Anaheim round this year. An example can be seen at the 1:45 mark in the video above on the No. 69 bike.

“What we don’t want to do is move too fast, where it’s confusing to people,” said Mike Muye, senior director of operations for Supercross and SMX in a press release. “We’ve really just focused on the leader at this point with the thought that maybe down the road we’ll introduce others.”

Scheduled to debut with the first SuperMotocross World Championship race at zMax Dragway, located just outside the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a 3D carbon fiber-printed LED light will be affixed to each motorcycle. Ten timing loops positioned around the track will trigger the lights of the leader, which will turn green.

SMX’s partner LiveTime Scoring helped develop and implement the system that has been tested in some form or fashion since 2019.

When the leader lights are successfully deployed, SuperMotocross will explore expanding the system to identify the second- and third-place riders. Depending on need and fan acceptance, more positions could be added.

SuperMotocross is exploring future enhancements, including allowing for live fan interaction with the lights and ways to use the lighting system during the race’s opening ceremony.

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