Sponsors: Continental Tyres

Continental Tyres are coming to GP Originals in 2024. They have established themselves as the tyre of choice for post-classic endurance racing, in recent seasons they have made excellent progress into classic motorcycle racing on short circuits. Continental Tyres are putting forward one rear ContiRoadAttack 3CR per UK round for our prize draw which means every rider has the opportunity to win a free rear tyre.

We are promoting the use of the Continental Road Attack 3CR for our two-stroke, post-classic motorcycle racing at GP Originals. This radial tyre was initially tested on a pair supplied to us by Jamie O’Brien in 2023. We handed them to Scott Carson to try on the Yamaha TZ350 (fast, first laps are his speciality!) – he commented that they were easily comparable to the Avon for fast laps especially when up to temperature. He experienced damp early morning conditions but said he felt comfortable to push on.

Comparison information

Due to the radial construction the Continental tyre on the same wheel and disc set-up was 0.9kg heavier than the Avon and the profile slightly taller. Several riders who have experience of the Continental under race conditions have reported considerable improvement on stability, with elimination of the chatter commonly experienced with the Avon on these machines. After racing, whilst still up to temperature, the rubber of the Continental is sticky to the touch, generating excellent heat throughout.

Tested in both wet and dry

IN February Roy Chapman provided a more thorough try-out of the Continentals on a wet test day at Donington followed by NG Road Racing’s opening round at Oulton Park in April. He delivered a faultless day, finishing on the podium in the Cup class – 11th of 29 finishers in race one. For their races the track was dry but it was very cold and rather windy. His best lap time was 1:57.355 which is a 0.6 improvement over his best race time in June last year when on the Avon Tyre. For clarity Darrell and Nick, also on their 350s at this meeting, were both were running Avons.

Following these first tests Roy has also raced successfully on the Continentals at Cadwell Park with NG Road Racing. The opening laps were no problem despite being on a grid with modern GP bikes on warmed slicks. Please read the update by clicking the button link below for a report on both wet and dry riding using the Continental Tyres.

Naturally, we expect everyone to give themselves a little time to predict how each brand of tyre feels under different conditions. To date Roy has now done two test days and three days of racing on the same pair – they still look brand new!

Motorcycle post classic racing tyres

The Continental RoadAttack 3CR is their newest incarnation of classic race tyre. Despite the name this range has been specifically designed for classic racing. Featuring further development from the 2CR there is a new tread pattern and a softer compound. These updates have improved wet-weather grip and first lap performance – key factors in our kind of short-circuit motorcycle racing. We understand the 3CR is a considerable improvement over its predecessor.

AR Racing 01749 672890 will be at every round except the Cadwell Sidecar Revival where you will receive FREE fitting when you buy direct from them. AR Racing currently have a special offer for GP Originals riders that is available until the 5th May. Order a pair of Continental 3CR and receive a FREE Respro® Foggy Mask worth £29.99 – collect at NG Road Racing Cadwell Park round or our Snetterton event with Bemsee.

Dennis Trollope Racing (DTR) has a good stock of Avon Tyres as well as hard to source TZ spares and consumables. Please call direct on 0117 957 0821.

The following are the current RRP and Continental Tyres have confirmed these are correct for 2024.

Which tyres can you use at GP Originals?

The Avon factory in Melksham is now closed. The uncertainty surrounding the future of the Avon AM-Series 18″ race tyres has meant that we needed to expand the list of tyres approved to race at GP Originals. We understand that the Continental 3CR tyre offers the most competitive compound and an excellent profile for our 18 inch wheels. We are assured that they will be readily available during the race season. Furthermore they are presented at an improved price over the Avon. Continental Tyres can be supplied and fitted at all our 2024 rounds by AR Racing.

You may still use your stock of Avon Tyres and if there is another tyre you wish to use please get in touch stating the brand and product reference, please include a web link to the specific tyre. The team at GP Originals are open to suggestions, however we will only allow proper race-proven tyres by known brands – we are a guest class with professional clubs, we must ensure every rider is using tyres that can handle all weather conditions, the compound must be capable of heating up quickly enough to run the expected pace in the early laps without tyre warmers. The size must be no more than 130 width at the rear and for an 18″ wheel. We reserve the right to refuse your tyre if it does not meet this criteria.