Pirelli will bring in a new SC1 race tyre compound to British Superbikes this year to cope with new demands put on tyre grip and life as new rules mean there is no traction control for the 2012 season.

The company says it spent last year developing the tyre at world level and the new SC1 rear slick has been chosen from the range used in WSB 2011 as the specification that is best suited to providing a high level of grip and consistent performance across a wide spectrum of circuit conditions.

"For Pirelli the advent of a new season provides a new challenge, the removal of traction control will ask our tyres to respond to managing raw Superbike engine performance. We start the year with a new SC1 compound which we’re confident will provide the riders with the feel that they need to help them transfer the power to the track," said racing manager Jason Griffiths.