As part of its Potenza ultra-high performance tire line expansion, Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) is set to introduce a new high-performance driver education (HPDE) and competition tire, the Potenza RE-71RS. Designed for use on track days and autocross and endurance events, the latest offering from the tire maker benefits from enhanced steering and grip attributes and an extended wear life.
For the track-oriented tire, Bridgestone made several changes during development including a new high-grip asymmetric tread compound and pattern optimizations to increase the cornering contact area and improve lap times.
The Potenza RE-71RS also features low-angle grooves on its tread to enhance steering and grip levels during both wet and dry conditions, and its high-grip compound benefits from a 5% wear improvement to deliver a longer service life on the road or the track.
“Our goal with the Potenza RE-71RS tire is to provide a worthy successor to the legendary Potenza RE-71R for drivers who demand the highest levels of grip, consistency and precision,” said Will Robbins, director of consumer product strategy, Bridgestone Americas. “The Potenza RE-71RS represents Bridgestone’s ongoing commitment to enabling enthusiast and grassroots motorsport competitors to get the most out of their HPDE, autocross, time trial or endurance race, all while maintaining street-ability for those drives to and from the track.”
Bridgestone states the latest Potenza RE-71RS tire is on average 0.6 seconds faster per lap around Japan’s Tsukuba Circuit than the previous generation Potenza RE-71R.
The initial Potenza RE-71RS will be available to the US and Canadian markets in April 2022 in 38 sizes from 15in to 20in rim diameters. Further sizes will become available in the first half of 2022.
