DRIVER TECHNIQUE WILL BE KEY FOR YOKOHAMA ADVAN IN HOLLAND


Media information: 3 May 2007


Twisty and technical, Zandvoort is bound to bring out the varied driving styles of the FIA World Touring Car Championship stars this weekend, presenting a challenge for official tyre supplier Yokohama ADVAN.

Despite the short format of WTCC races, the way a driver attacks corners still has a noticeable effect on the tyres, a factor which has to be considered by Yokohama's technicians at the start of the season.

“Whether they drive with over-steer or under-steer affects the temperature the tyres get up to,”said Yokohama Technical Consultant, Ian Beveridge, who advises drivers to spare their tyres from large sideways slides and tackle the bends and banking as smoothly as possible.
“The gentler they can be on the tyres and the less strain and stress they put through them, the longer they will last.”

Yokohama's data analysis shows where drivers could take more care and make better use of their tyres, but in the fiercely competitive WTCC paddock the technicians do not intervene unless asked.

“We see a big difference between drivers on how the tyres behave,”said Yokohama Europe Marketing Manager, Kazuyoshi Sekiguchi.
“But as sole tyre supplier, we do not feel it is our position to suggest to the team how they set up the car. We can only say how the tyre is wearing or how the tyre surface looks.”

Chevrolet's Rob Huff says considering tyre-wear plays a big part in developing his tactics for the weekend.
“I wouldn't know what category I come under but I think I'm quite smooth with the car,”said the 27-year-old British driver.
Of course I think about how my driving affects the tyres. You're always on the limit of the car but you've also got to find the best set-up for the tyres.

“It's especially difficult to find a set-up balance between the faster and the slower corners.
If you're tight into the slower corners you're sideways into the faster ones and as a driver, you've got to address your style to accommodate that or you'll use the tyres a lot more and end up with massive under-steer at the end of the race.

“I've only been around here for three hours and it was wet, but based on that I want the tyres to turn in nice and tight to the slow corners.
I want the car to be really pointy on the front end this weekend.”

It remains to be seen which team will find the best solution, but Yokohama technicians will be on-hand all weekend with expert support and guidance.

Qualifying for round three of the WTCC will begin on Saturday at 15:00 local time.