This column will feature racing tyres particularly those for Formula One racing. Based on interviews with Bridgestone’s technical engineers, the site will provide stories on tyre developments that are not easily accessible and answers to basic questions that viewers might have.

Vol.1: What’s Racing tyre?

The secret of racing tyres! But first, what exactly are racing tyres? I will be reporting on, not only the F1 2000 racing series per se, but also special information that guarantees the viewer with an F1 racing broadcast 100 times more exciting.

Today, I would like to interview Mr. Hirohide Hamashima, Technical Director of Bridgestone Motorsport, with whom you may be familiar with from F1 TV broadcasts and motor sports magazines, and ask him this simple question: “What are racing tyres in the first place?”

Mr. Hamashima, as seen on TV, has a round face and is an extremely kind man. Although it was my first time to meet him, he certainly did not look like an engineer who was struggling in the frontlines of technological competitions. Yet, each time our discussion touched on the topic of technology, his hitherto gentle eyes suddenly glared with acuteness, proving he was no ordinary man in this field.

So now our first question to Mr. Hamashima: “What is the biggest difference between tyres sold on the market and racing tyres?”

“In simple words, racing tyres can be selected and replaced instantaneously according to conditions of weather, temperature and road surface, while ordinary tyres must endure several thousands of kilometers and secure a certain level of performance under various conditions.”

“The body of ordinary cars, weighing about 1200 kg, are supported by tyres which are about 185 mm wide, while that of racing cars, weighing about 500kg, are supported by tyres which are about 350 mm wide. In other words, the size of racing tyres is excessively large in proportion to the size of racing cars. This is the greatest feature.”

“The standard air pressure for ordinary tyres is about 2.2kgf/cm2, whereas for F1 tyres, it is about 1.5kgf/cm2.”

This was an unexpected response. As I have heard that higher air pressure is preferable when driving on an expressway, I assumed that the air pressure of F1 tyres, which support a speed of over 300 km/h and high engine power, must be around 3kgf/cm2.

However, he mentioned: “Because the body of the F1 cars is lighter than that of ordinary cars, the air pressure of racing tyres must be lowered in order to gain good grip.” We just learned about the size and width of F1 tyres, but do you know the diameter? 16 or 17-inch is common and 18inch is not even rare for ordinary tyres of sporty-type cars these days, but “the diameter of F1 racing tyres is 13 inches.” Again, this was a surprising response. “Of course, this is due to regulations, but the body of F1 cars itself is designed to match 13-inch diameter tyres.

If the diameter were say 14 inches, it would become too peaky and the car will spin so easily that it can not maintain a decent run.” My frank impression was that F1 cars are still cars but they have to be developed from a totally different viewpoint.

I was amazed by the difference between the reality of F1 racing cars and common sense of ordinary cars. Well talking about surprises, I have a GREAT OFFER for you. Check this out.