Pirelli launches new Diablo Rosso II this weekend at first annual Pirelli Invitational

Pirelli Moto’s new supersport tire launch set for dealers and media at FIM Superbike World Championship at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah The first annual Pirelli Invitational is set for this weekend (May 29-31) in the twisties of the Utah Rockies and the turns and straights of Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah where Pirelli North America Moto will introduce the Diablo Rosso II motorcycle tire.   An ‘invitation only’ event, Pirelli has invited over 100 media, motorsport dealers and consumer promotion winners from all over North America and as far away as Belgium and Australia to test the new Moto tire and to join Pirelli for the Superbike World Championship race this weekend. Pirelli is also extending a special offer to contest entrants that didn’t win a trip to Miller for the SBK race – giving them a chance to win one of 50 special Superbike World Championship books by registering free at www.GetPirelli.com.  GetPirelli.com gives fans of the brand an opportunity to interact with the company and take part in activities that Pirelli North America Moto is involved in - and win cool swag. “The Pirelli Invitational is a new concept for us: an annual event we will continue to support each year involving journalists, dealers and consumers,” said Chris Wall, Pirelli North American Moto’s Director of Marketing. “Our new Diablo Rosso II is a hypersport tire that demanded a large introduction, and launching it at this year’s World Superbike Race at Miller is a great opportunity for Pirelli stakeholders not only see Pirelli’s DNA in action on the track, but to also feel it in action with our latest tire.” The Diablo Rosso II’s Tri-Zone, Bi-Compound rear tread features a central area that is comprised of high silica content mixture and features an enhanced elasticity for uncompromised traction in the wet and dry while still offering durability and riding comfort. The fine carbon black matrix compound on the tire’s extreme shoulders (12.5% on each side) offers maximum supersport grip at extreme lean angles, taking its compounding technologies from Pirelli’s experience on some of the worlds’ most demanding racetracks. Both of the tire’s compounds have undergone extensive testing for fast warm-up capabilities, high traction under straight acceleration and confident grip at all lean angles to suit many different riding styles. The new supersport street tire’s dual compound also features an improved aggressive tread pattern, increased wet grip and enhanced dry performance. Designed with innovations developed during Pirelli’s seven years as tire supplier to the Superbike World Championship, Diablo Rosso II is the ultimate sport tire of the Rosso Generation and replaces it predecessor with a product that incorporates new and proven technologies straight from this experience that confirms the formula Race=Road. RACE=ROAD Highlighting Pirelli’s philosophy: “We sell what we race, we race what we sell,” the company developed the Diablo Rosso II alongside seven key motorcycle manufacturers.  The cooperation accelerated Pirelli’s innovation and allowed for quick transfer to new structures, profiles and materials to provide a ready-to-use technology for everyday users. Word Superbike demands tires adapt to different bike dynamics, traction control, engine types and power, as well as differing suspension setups and riding styles on the thirteen racetracks run throughout the sport’s eight month season. SBK circuits - like Miller Motorsports Park - have become extreme testing grounds on which Pirelli searches for new formulas. Diablo Rosso II is designed to easily fit to all competition bikes, allowing riders to exploit the full effect of their bike’s performance. This versatile tire is an on-road wonder as the two share many common technical characteristics. Pirelli’s passion for racing helps it maintain a competitive advantage and allows the company to quickly develop products for road use. Pirelli’s involvement in SBK and other circuit racing competition is a critical element for its technology, tire development and testing with the goal of delivering products to consumers that offer the highest quality and performance for everyday roads. DIABLO TRADEMARK – A PRESTIGIOUS HISTORY Pirelli’s entrance into the Superbike World Championship in 2004 as official tire supplier saw the Diablo trademark grow in prestige and influence thanks to its technological innovations and success on the track. Pirelli Moto has generated new radial products nearly every year covering all performance segments from full race slick, Racing Street-legal DOT, Racing Street and Supersport tires. The Rosso Generation tire family consists of the new Diablo Rosso II and its track-day counterpart, the Diablo Rosso Corsa - a tire that demonstrates huge performance in dry grip and track performance representing Pirelli’s top performance products for everyday use. Diablo Rosso II raises the bar of the Rosso Generation’s sport capabilities and is destined for supersport and naked bikes that demand top performance in all types of use, from twisty countryside roads to city traffic in both wet and dry conditions. The Rosso Generation premium radial tire line utilizes modern technologies like patented 0° degree steel belt structure along with those drawn from Pirelli’s WSBK experience, such as and contact patch optimization (EPT) and Functional Groove Design (FGD) and attractive styling elements such as shoulder identification and the option to be personalised with unique labels (www.gettyre.com/stickers). SIZES AND AVAILABILTY Diablo Rosso II is available now in front 120/70ZR17 and 180/55ZR17, 190/50ZR17, 190/55ZR17 sizes as well as the unique OE 240/45ZR17 fitment for the 2011 Ducati Diavel.  Additional front sizes 110/70ZR17, 120/60ZR17, and additional rears 150/60ZR17, 160/60ZR17 are also available with the 170/60ZR17 size to follow in 2012. More detail on the innovation and the technology of the Diablo Rosso II and other Pirelli tires of the Rosso Generation of are available on Pirelli’s website: www.pirelli.com. Pirelli Tire North America designs, develops, manufactures and markets tires for passenger vehicles in both the original equipment and replacement markets as well as markets and distributes tires for motorcycles and motorsports. Located in Rome, Georgia, Pirelli’s Modular Integrated Robotized System (MIRS) employs state-of-the-art technology to manufacture tires for both export and domestic markets.  For more information please visit www.us.pirelli.com mega-adventure.” This worldwide voyage is evidenced in the “Giro Del Mondo in 80 DOC” website diary, www.paolopirozzi.com and on the YouTube video blog: www.youtube.com/girodelmondoin80doc.