Motorcycle tyre technology uncovered

The life of a Moto2 tyre begins in the modelling room using advanced computer simulation software. This predicts properties such as spring rate and camber thrust, calculates the effect of alternative composite materials, and finds the optimum profile. This programme can take up to a week to run.

The engineers then construct 3D models using sophisticated CAD software to visualise the intended tyre. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) will depict any high load areas that could generate heat. Only when all the computer work is finalised is metal for the tyre moulds cut.

Tyre building begins with fine layers of specialist materials such as exotic composite and metalic fibres as well as regular materials like polyamide and rayon to form the carcass basis. Within lies a true secret – the constructional components which make up the basis of Dunlop’s NTEC. The fantastic stability of NTEC offers the ability to run at lower inflation pressures, resulting in improved sidegrip, durability, traction and feedback.

Dunlop pioneered Multi-Tread tyres (MT) in the early 1980s. Now all of Dunlop’s hypersport and supersport road tyres use Multi-Compound technology (a “Traction” centre compound for stability and durability at high speed, and “Lateral Grip” shoulder compounds to maximise corner grip).

Race tyres can go much further. Dunlop engineers have collated laser scans of each major circuit, enabling the engineers to differentiate and categorise the tracks depending on their severity. This, combined with historical data and telemetry, determines the compound characteristics for each application. Dunlop Motorsport’s latest manufacturing technology now enables the finest sliver of a given compound to be applied to a designated part of the tread with pin-point accuracy – optimising performance on individual corners.

Dunlop’s Moto2 tyres must be consistent over a wide range of operating conditions. Stringent quality control analyses each tread compound before construction; each finished tyre is x-rayed and checked for uniformity and balance.

Despite there being no competitors to Dunlop, in the second year of Moto2 development will continue throughout the season, and the lessons learned will be applied across the motorcycle race tyre range.