Manson, NC — April 30, 2026 — Bridgestone Canadian Superbike Championship (CSBK) completed a productive two-day tire test at the North Carolina Center for Automotive Research (NCCAR) on April 25–26, with seven Pro Superbike riders evaluating the new Bridgestone RACING BATTLAX V03 slick race tire under a range of track conditions.
The test brought together top talent from the Canadian Superbike Championship as teams and riders worked closely with Bridgestone engineers to evaluate performance ahead of the upcoming race season.
Seven Pro Superbike riders participated in the test, including Ben Young, the current CSBK Pro Superbike Champion, Jordan Szoke, David MacKay, Zoltan Frast, Sebastien Hothaza, Chase Westmoreland, and Spencer Cecchin.
Over two full days of track activity, riders focused on evaluating the RACING BATTLAX V03 slick’s performance characteristics, including grip consistency, braking stability, and long-run durability across changing conditions. The RACING BATTLAX V03 features a completely redesigned profile for both front and rear tires, resulting in an increased contact area engineered to improve lap times.
For the first time, Bridgestone is also introducing a rear ‘SPRINT spec’ for tailored options across race types and track conditions, providing an optimal choice for riders looking for the highest grip levels for competing in sprint races. The RACING BATTLAX V03 SPRINT achieves a 1.9% reduction in lap times per circuit when compared to its predecessor, the RACING BATTLAX V02 SOFT.[1]
“The test delivered valuable insight for teams and riders heading into the Canadian national schedule. Over two days, riders directly compared the Bridgestone V02 and V03 slick tires, evaluating performance, grip, and consistency on track,” said Ross Millson of CSBK.
“The new RACING BATTLAX V03 represents the next generation of Bridgestone’s motorcycle racing technology, and we are pleased to have some of CSBK’s top riders help us evaluate its potential,” said Jim Dowell, National Sales and Racing Program Manager, Bridgestone Motorcycle Products in the United States and Canada. “This test at NCCAR provided a critical opportunity to gather rider feedback on the V03’s grip and stability, ensuring we continue to offer the best possible performance solutions for the series.”
NCCAR’s technical layout and variable surface conditions offered an ideal environment for simulating race scenarios, allowing teams to evaluate tire behavior across both sprint and longer runs. Bridgestone continues to support the CSBK paddock with advanced racing tire technology designed to deliver performance, consistency, and rider confidence.
[1] Comparison based on internal testing of the Bridgestone BATTLAX V03 tire vs. the Bridgestone BATTLAX V02 tire on BMW M 1000 RR superbike in Oschersleben, Germany. Results may vary depending upon proper tire and bike maintenance, track conditions and riding habits.
