Two different types of asphalt is the ‘technical identity
card’ of the Rallye Catalunya, round 4 of the World Rally
Championship (March 22-24). Also significant is the weather
which, at this time of year, can rise to quite warm
temperatures during the day after cold or humid conditions in
the morning with the possibility of fog. The difference in these
conditions and surfaces requires Pirelli to prepare a range of
tyres specifically developed for this event.

‘The Stages around Tarragona,’ says Pirelli Rally Manager
Fiorenzo Brivio, ‘are run on abrasive asphalt similar to
that in Corsica. There we will use harder compound
tyres for increased durability. The stages around Vic, more
to the north, are smoother and more slippery. They also
become quite dirty as they will be used twice during the
event. For these we have made specific evolutions which interest
the RS-type (in compound 50) for the dry surfaces and the RE
(compound 70) for damp and wet roads, to guarantee greater
adhesion on slippery surfaces.’

These are not the only reasons that characterise the PZero
tyre choice for Spain. The final consideration is the
nature of the roads themselves. ‘The Stages in Spain,’ says
Brivio, ‘are generally wider than the other asphalt rallies
in the championship. That means that the cars will handle
differently in big lateral drifts that place different stresses on
tyres and highlight different handling characteristics of the cars.
We have adjusted the structure of the tyres specifically for
this reason without compromising either the tyres’
performance or reliability. Our low-profile tyre has minimal
‘flex’ and maximum durability.

Evolutions For Smooth And Slippery Surfaces

The asphalt of the Catalunya Rally changes clearly between the
Stages of individual Legs. Those of Leg 1, towards Tarragona,
introduce abrasive asphalt; those of Legs 2 and 3, around Vic, are
contested on a smooth and slippery surface. This requires a
PZero range decidedly specialised with the objective of
guaranteeing the best performances on both types of surface
and all possible weather variations.
Ford and Subaru have chosen the RS and RE patterns, two well known
options, and designed specifically for this event after extensive
testing in the region. All will be fitted with the EMI
anti-deflation system.

From Dry Surface To Humid

RS (Size 225/650-18)
Type A tyre for dry asphalt
Compound options: 50 (with evolution), 70 and 90
Description For all dry surface conditions and also slightly damp
asphalt. Step 50 is the base choice for the rally; the evolution
version is aimed at the particularly smooth and slippery surfaces
in the Vic region. Step 90 is designed for use with low
temperatures or a damp or dirty surface.

From High Humidity To Wet

RE (Size 225/650-18)
Type Intermediate tyre for damp to wet surfaces
Compound options: 70 (with evolution) and 90
Description A very versatile tyre, designed for damp to wet
surfaces. Step 70 with evolution is ideal for the smooth and
slippery Stages around Vic. The very soft 90 step can tackle rain
and low temperatures. The RE tyre can be further hand cut for heavy
rain or where there is a lot of standing water on the Stages.

The Pirelli Squad For Spain

2 Subaru Impreza WRC: Makinen-Lindstrm* and
Solberg-Mills*
4 Ford Focus RS: Sainz-Moya*, McRae-Grist*, Martin-Park* and
Duval-Fortin
Plus other cars of teams not regularly engaged in the World Rally
Championship

* Registered for Manufacturers’ Championship points

Pirelli’s Catalunya Record

Two of Pirelli’s Catalunya wins could hardly have been more
“Spanish”. Carlos Sainz’s two wins since the rally joined the World
Championship both came on Pirelli tyres, the first with Toyota and
the second with Subaru. Sainz’s second win, in 1995, came amid
great controversy for that was the year when “team orders” were
imposed to ensure Subaru’s first of three consecutive World
Championships for Manufacturers. Sainz’s previous win on this event
was in his title-winning season of 1992 and the previous year
marked Armin Schwarz’s only WRC event win.

RECENT WINNERS
1990 Dario Cerrato/Giuseppe Cerri (Lancia Delta Integrale)
1991 Armin Schwarz/Arne Hertz (Toyota Celica GT-Four)
1992 Carlos Sainz/Luis Moya (Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD)
1993 Francois Delecour/Daniel Grataloup (Ford Escort RS
Cosworth)
1994* Enrico Bertone/Massimo Chiapponi (Toyota Celica Turbo
4WD)
1995 Carlos Sainz/Luis Moya (Subaru Impreza 555)
1996 Colin McRae/Derek Ringer (Subaru Impreza 555)
1997 Tommi Makinen/Seppo Harjanne (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo)
1998 Didier Auriol/Denis Giraudet (Toyota Corolla WRC)
1999 Philippe Bugalski/Jean-Paul Chiaroni (Citron
Xsara kit car)
2000 Colin McRae/Nicky Grist (Ford Focus WRC)
2001 Didier Auriol/Denis Giraudet (Peugeot 206 WRC)
*W2L event only

Contact website: www.rallyecatalunya.com

AROUND THE WORLD IN 14 EVENTS

Monte Carlo 18-20 January Asphalt/snow/ice
The perfect start to the season for Pirelli with an historic
victory going to the Subaru of Tommi Makinen and with four cars
fitted with Pirelli PZero tyres in the top six places. The rally
was run almost entirely without snow and saw a superb result the RS
tyre in the level 9 ‘thermal’ compound that gives maximum
performance in conditions of dry asphalt with only a little
ice.

Sweden* 1-3 February Snow/ice/gravel
Unfortunately early snow turned quickly to mud but already the
Subarus of Makinen and Solberg had retired with engine problems and
McRae’s Ford suffered a heavy penalty, breaking a wheel after
hitting a rock. Sainz 3rd in the other Ford was the best result
although again the competition showed the positive step forward
made by the PZero studded tyres.

Corsica* 8-10 March Asphalt
A mixture of dry asphalt on the first day and then wet or damp
roads for the next two days provided a difficult test for tyre
choices. However the latest evolutions of the PZero asphalt range
proved to be exceptionally competitive in all conditions.
Unfortunately Makinen and McRae crashed out the event but Pirelli’s
asphalt performance brought fastest times for both Ford and
Subaru.

Catalunya 22-24 March Asphalt

Cyprus* 19-21 April Gravel

Argentina* 17-19 May Gravel

Acropolis 14-16 June Gravel

Safari * 11-14 July Gravel

Finland* 8-11 August Gravel

Germany 22-25 August Asphalt

San Remo 20-22 September Asphalt

New Zealand* 3-6 October Gravel

Australia* 1-3 November Gravel

Great Britain 17-19 November Gravel

* WRC Production Car World Championship (Group N)
events