Goodyear Racing Notes – WEC 6 Hours of Imola

Goodyear begins its third season as the exclusive tire supplier to the LMGT3 category of the FIA World Endurance Championship, with all 18 LMGT3 entries set to run on Goodyear Racing Eagle tires at the 6 Hours of Imola.

At Imola, teams will run the Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium tire, selected for its consistency and ability to perform over multiple stints. The tire, denoted by its yellow sidewall lettering, has been a mainstay of LMGT3 competition since its introduction in 2024, and will be used at all tracks in WEC this season.

Richard Lietz and Riccardo Pera return to the site of their first victory en route to becoming 2025 LMGT3 champions with Ryan Hardwick, now in the The Bend Manthey Porsche with Yasser Shahin.

Imola offers a contrasting challenge to many of the more demanding circuits on the calendar. Its relatively smooth surface and flowing layout place lower stress on tires, reducing overall tire degradation and emphasising race strategy across the six hour race.

With tire allocations increasing this season under the latest regulations, teams have greater flexibility in their race strategies. The Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium’s proven durability means teams may still choose to double stint tires, but the additional sets may also enable teams to fit new tires at each pit stop, removing the need to extend a stint and risk a drop in performance.

“Imola is less aggressive on tires than many of the tracks we visit,” explained Stephen Bickley, Goodyear Endurance Program Manager. “It doesn’t generate high lateral loads and the surface is relatively smooth, so it’s naturally one of the kinder tracks on tires. That opens up a range of strategic options for teams. You can double stint and gain time in the pit lane, or with the increased allocations, teams may choose to run new tires more often. Our Goodyear Racing Eagle Medium tire gives them the flexibility to consider both options.

“The circuit also has a clear left-hand bias, which places more load on the right side of the car. Teams may look at single stinting only the loaded side, while carrying the unloaded side for longer and doing more stints on that side. These differing strategies are what we expect will define the race for many teams this weekend.”

In addition to the slick tires used in dry conditions, teams will also have access to a Goodyear Racing Eagle Wet tire. These wet-weather tires feature a tread pattern designed to disperse surface water and provide grip in wet conditions.

The Goodyear Blimp will make its first appearance of the season in the skies above Imola this weekend, offering fans a spectacular sight above the track.

The Goodyear Wingfoot Award also returns for this season, where fans will once again play a role in choosing the award winner at the end of the race. Votes from both trackside attendees and viewers at home will decide the winner in a ‘driver of the day’ format.

Goodyear Racing Eagle tires are also in action this weekend in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races at Kansas Speedway, and at the opening round of the British Touring Car Championship at Donington Park.

Fast Facts
FIA World Endurance Championship
Race: 6 Hours of Imola
Track: Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari (4.91 km: 12 left turns, 9 right turns)
Location: Imola, Italy Date/Time: Sunday April 19, 13:00 CEST TV/Radio: FIAWEC+ app

LMGT3
Tire: Goodyear Racing Eagle
Tire Specification: Eagle Medium
Previous usage: First use this season; used in WEC at all races in 2024 and at Qatar, Imola, Spa, Le Mans and Fuji last season
Tire Measurements: (width mm / diameter mm / rim size in): 300/680/R18 front, 310/710/R18 rear Total Dry Weather Tires: 44 (24 qualifying and race / 4 hyperpole / 16 free practice)
Total Wet Weather Tires: No limit

About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs about 68,000 people and manufactures its products in 53 facilities in 20 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

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