Pirelli says its Scorpion is up to the Jordan challenge

In accordance with the single tyre rules for 2008, all WRC competitors will use Pirelli’s hard compound ‘Scorpion’ tyre on the Jordan Rally.

The hard compound option has already been used twice this season; in the heat and dust of Rally Mexico and, controversially, in the wet and muddy conditions of Rally Argentina.

But making its debut on the World Rally Championship, the Jordan Rally seems to be ideal territory for the new rubber.

“Judging from the forecasts, we will be running in some very warm weather in Jordan, with temperatures ranging from 26 to over 40 degrees centigrade,” explained Pirelli’s Rally Manager Mario Isola. “This, along with a hard, sandy and rocky surface is sure to make the roads tough on the tyres. Nonetheless, these are the sorts of conditions that we experienced frequently during the development our tyres last year, so I’m feeling confident. Furthermore, Khalid Al Qassimi was using Pirelli tyres when he won this rally last year in a Subaru Impreza Group N car, when it was a round of the FIA Middle East Championship.”