Control tyre preferred option for Bathurst 12 Hour

Rumours have surfaced that Pirelli is in the box seat to nab a single tyre supplier deal for the 2017 running of the fast-growing GT3 enduro, after both the Italian manufacturer and Michelin supplied teams at this year’s 12 Hour.

Pirelli’s motorsport boss Paul Hembery and 12 Hour Event Director John Casey were at Spa for the 24 Hour race just under a fortnight ago, but Casey says that “there isn’t a deal” with any manufacturer.

He did confirm, however, that a single supplier was the ideal outcome for the event from a Balance of Performance perspective.

“I come back to why would you do a single tyre deal, as opposed to a multiple tyre deal,” said Casey.

“We adopted the Balance of Performance, because it’s a fantastic structure and platform for competitors. It provides massive confidence from the competitors in terms of the event.

“And the BoP is based on a single tyre. So to introduce multiple tyres into the equation makes the BoP less perfect. It’s an extra variable in a formula where you’re actually trying to take away variables.

“On the one hand it takes away a variable and let Balance of Performance do its thing, on the other hand it takes away a variable which is in some dimensions interesting. On balance, however, for me the BoP working properly is a better compromise.”

Casey added that the ideal scenario would be to have a deal in place sooner rather than later, but that it won’t be rushed.

“With these things the earlier you do them the better, but you’ve got to do them properly, and respectively with all parties.”