Pirelli has introduced the new Cinturato RW wet tire, which is designed for heavy rain useage, ahead of the 2016 ADAC Rallye Deutschland. Set to sit alongside the existing P Zero RK tire range, the new tire is the latest to use the Cinturato name, which has been in use Since the 1950s.
Whether or not the weather will mean that these tyres are used remains to be seen, but unpredictable conditions are a hallmark of Rallye Deutschland. Even in the dry the stages can be slippery, as dirt gets dragged onto the racing line with each passing car, but wet weather can make these surfaces especially treacherous.
The Italian manufacturer has released few technical details of the tire, but has announced it will be joined by its RK5A hard compound tire (chosen for abrasive asphalt, such as that in the Baumholder military area) and the RK7B soft as the option for use on smooth and slippery asphalt (such as that in the vineyard stages).
In Germany, the WRC2 drivers can use 34 tyres, with four tyres per tyre change opportunity and six spares. They can choose from 34 of the 235/40-18 P Zero RK5A hard compound and 22 of the 235/40-18 P Zero RK7B soft compound. Eight of the new 235/40-18 Cinturato RW rain tyres are allowed per car.
