Slow down now!
When the tread comes off a tire, it’s as if you have suddenly hit a patch of glare ice.
When the tread comes off a Pirelli P Zero tire rated for high speeds on a Ferrari, the potential for a spectacular crash is there.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has just announced that Pirelli is recalling certain Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires because “partial tread and/or belt edge separation can occur at high speeds at and over 270 Kmh or 168 mph.
Tread or belt edge separation could result in a crash, according to NHTSA recall number 09T012.
The 285/35 ZR 19 tires were original equipment on Ferrari 430 Scuderia and Scuderia Spider 16M models, which are marketed based on their high speed performance abilities. Both the left side and ride side versions of the directional performance tires are affected.
The recall comes at an unfortunate time for Pirelli since it is attempting to market the brand as an exclusive club in a world where tires are largely viewed by customers as round and black.
“Purchasing the new P Zero tyres means not only performance, safety and driving comfort, but also entering into the world of benefits and privileges of the P Zero Club.
“As a member of the P Zero Club you will receive the prestigious P Zero Card, which gives you access to immediate and future advantages and privileges.
“The P Zero Club will debut in March in Italy and Switzerland, followed by other markets worldwide,” said Pirelli.
NHTSA says that Pirelli has not yet told it what it will do to solve the potential safety defect, but replacement of the 1,680 tires involved produced from June 2007 to July 2009 seems certain.
Meanwhile, slow down.