Pirelli at the Spa 24 Hours – A Massive Tyre Operation

Pirelli at the Spa 24 Hours – A Massive Tyre Operation

When we watch a motor race, the cars and drivers naturally get most of our attention. However, an enormous amount of work takes place behind the scenes—and supplying tyres is a major part of it.

As a garage owner, I find the scale of these operations fascinating. One example that caught my attention was Pirelli’s preparation for the 2015 Spa 24 Hours in Belgium.

9,000 tyres for one race weekend

For that event, Pirelli announced that it would make 9,000 tyres available, transported by 21 trucks, with 90 Pirelli personnel on the ground and further support behind the scenes.

To put that into perspective, I wrote at the time that 9,000 tyres was close to the number we sold at our Halifax tyre depot during a whole year!

These are historical figures for that particular event, rather than the quantities supplied every year.

More than delivering a load of tyres

Getting the tyres to the circuit is only part of the job.

A race weekend needs organised fitting facilities, staff and technical support. Teams need their tyres prepared for use, while engineers help them understand how the tyres are performing.

Pirelli’s later accounts of its Spa operation describe dedicated fitting lines and staff working through the night. For a 24-hour race, the work does not stop when the sun goes down.

You can read more in Pirelli’s account of its Spa tyre operation.

Why endurance racing is demanding

A 24-hour event tests more than outright speed. Cars, drivers and equipment must keep performing over a prolonged period.

Tyre decisions form part of the team’s planning, alongside fuel stops, driver changes and the changing conditions.

From my perspective in the tyre trade, it is a reminder of how much organisation supports what spectators see on the track.

Racing tyres and road tyres have different jobs

The tyres used in endurance racing are developed for competition. They should not be confused with ordinary road tyres simply because they carry a familiar manufacturer’s name.

For motorists around Halifax and Calderdale, the priorities include suitable fitment, braking, wet-weather performance, comfort and wear.

You do not need to be a racing driver to appreciate a correctly chosen and properly fitted set of tyres.

Tyre advice at Pellon

Our fitting operation on Pellon Lane is rather smaller than Pirelli’s race support village, but careful work still matters.

Here at Pellon Tyres and Autocentre, we help customers choose suitable tyres for their vehicles, journeys and budgets.

You can search for tyres on the Pellon Tyres website and arrange fitting at our Halifax depot.

For advice and availability, call 01422 351314 or 01422 362030.

Find out more about our garage on the Pellon Autocentre website.

If we have helped you, please consider leaving Pellon a Google review.

Written by Eric Roberts.