With 2022 seeing the launch of the track day specific Bridgestone Potenza Race, the German publication Auto Bild have decided to see how the new Bridgestone fairs up against its key rivals in the segment, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect, Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R, and Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport R.
As usual with Auto Bild tests they have been extremely thorough, not just testing the dry track performance of the tire, but also looking at long run wear, wet grip, and dry and wet braking performance of the track specific rubber.
2 categories (4 tests)
| Test Category | Best Performer | Worst Performer | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry (2 tests) | |||
| Dry Braking | ▲ Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R: 31.7 M | ▼ Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport R: 35.3 M | 3.6 M (10.2%) |
| Dry Handling | ▲ Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R: 126.8 Km/H | ▼ Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport R: 124.6 Km/H | 2.2 Km/H (1.8%) |
| Wet (2 tests) | |||
| Wet Braking | ▲ Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect: 49.2 M | ▼ Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport R: 61.7 M | 12.5 M (20.3%) |
| Wet Handling | ▲ Bridgestone Potenza Race: 86.8 Km/H | ▼ Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport R: 80 Km/H | 6.8 Km/H (8.5%) |
Auto Bild also included a road tire and slick tire as reference in all the tests. As the test was performed at Michelins proving ground in France in the popular 235/35 R19 size, it's fair to assume these would have been the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and a Michelin slick.
One last thing to note, while the test vehicle was a Golf GTI CS, the Pirelli tire tested was the n0 (Porsche specific) version of the Trofeo R, which means it will likely differ from the aftermarket version of the tire.
Dry
Naturally in the dry, the slick was the best performing tire. Pirelli and Bridgestone were the fastest of the semi slicks, with the Pirelli offering a little more consistency across the three timed laps. The Michelin and Goodyear finished on a similar lap time, a little behind the Pirelli and Bridgestone. The testers enjoyed the steering response of the Bridgestone and Pirelli the most.
The long run tests, which were 10 laps at 80% again had the Bridgestone and Pirelli leading, with the Pirelli more consistent of the two tires. The Michelin was also very consistent, just a little slower, but the Goodyear started to understeer after just four laps.
Auto Bild noted that the Bridgestone and Pirelli were just about finished after the ten laps, whereas the Goodyear and Michelin were still good for another ten laps.
The Trofeo R had the edge in dry braking, stopping the Golf half a meter shorter than the Potenza Race. The Goodyear barely stopped the car shorter than the reference UHP summer tire.
Wet
The Bridgestone was also fastest in the wet, but the testers noted it was only for experts. The fast lap came from the balance of the tire being oversteer primary, which makes you fast in a FWD vehicle, but it's very difficult to control.
The Cup 2 Connect was only a faction behind in time, but much easier to drive due to higher aquaplaning resistance, and the Pirelli and Goodyear struggled with high levels of aquaplaning making for a slow lap time.
The Michelin had a significant lead in wet braking confirming that the Cup 2 is the most suited semi slick tire to every day driving.
Results
1st: Bridgestone Potenza Race | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2nd: Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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3rd: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Connect | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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4th: Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport R | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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