Dunlop chosen for Saroléa Electric Endurance Project

Dunlop has been chosen as a Technical Partner for the innovative Saroléa SP7 electric racing motorcycle.
Saroléa Racing begin the next stage of their ambitious project when the latest version of the SP7 will be demonstrated at the legendary Le Mans Circuit just ahead of the start of the 24h race.
This demonstration will be a significant milestone for the Saroléa team, who competed with an electric racer at the Isle of Man TT Zero for the first time in 2014. The team became regular contenders on the demanding TT course, and each year made significant performance improvements, achieving a 108.064mph/173.9kmh lap in last year’s race.
Today, Saroléa announce their next goal, which is to be recognised as a candidate for future Le Mans 24h and FIM Endurance World Championship (EWC) competition – competing head to head against the most powerful bespoke EWC petrol powered superbikes.
To help achieve this goal, Saroléa has changed its tyre technical partner to Dunlop. Dunlop is the most successful tyre manufacturer in the history of the EWC, claiming 12 overall titles in the last 14 years.  Dunlop has also proved its leadership in Electric bike tyre development by being chosen by the winners of the all-electric Isle of Man TT Zero race for the past four years.
Finding a tyre that suited the unique performance characteristics of the Saroléa SP7 was crucial for the team: “When we were looking for a tyre partner to support our project, it was natural that we turned to Dunlop. Dunlop is the most successful tyre manufacturer in endurance racing, and is the reigning FIM Endurance World Champion tyre manufacturer. Our motorcycle has immense torque and requires a tyre that can cope with our unique demands. In testing, the Dunlop provided the grip and durability we need for our project” stated Torsten Robbens, Chief Technical Officer of Saroléa.
Wim Van Achter, Motorcycle Motorsport Manager at Dunlop Europe added: “We are delighted that Saroléa have chosen Dunlop as a Technical Partner. We have watched their impressive progress very closely over the last few seasons and firmly believe they have a credible plan to develop a serious and innovative EWC challenger”
This Le Mans 24h demonstration is the latest landmark for the brand established in 1850 by Joseph Saroléa. The company made their first motorcycle in 1901, becoming regularly successful in endurance racing. The company was reinvented in 2008 with the mission of innovating in electric motorcycles.
Dunlop’s history is similarly proud. From John Boyd Dunlop realising that a pneumatic tyre would help his son win a tricycle race, the tyre brand has become the most successful in car and motorcycle endurance racing, and celebrates its 130^th anniversary this year.

 Torsten Robbens (Saroléa CTO) 

“When we were looking for a tyre partner to support our project, it was natural that we turned to Dunlop. Dunlop is the most successful tyre manufacturer in endurance racing, and is the reigning FIM Endurance World Champion tyre manufacturer. Our motorcycle has immense torque and requires a tyre that can cope with our unique demands. In testing, the Dunlops provided the grip and durability required for our project.”

Wim Van Achter (Motorcycle Motorsport Manager Dunlop Europe) 

“Dunlop is very impressed with the progress and ambition of the Saroléa team. We have significant experience with electric motorcycles, with our tyres having been used by the winners of the Isle of Man TT Zero race. We are proud that Saroléa have chosen us as a partner. It is an exciting partnership – as we both share ambitious goals for the future of electric racing.”

- Sarolea