Bridgestone accepts Proton four-stroke challenge.

Bridgestone tyres, who came into the top class in GP racing in 2002 with Proton Team KR, will continue with the team in 2003 - and the Japanese manufacturers are looking forward to the new challenge of the four-stroke machine.

"Our results so far this year have been better than we expected, and that is partly thanks to Proton Team KR, who have given us a lot of valuable input and information," said Mr Hiroshi Yamada, motorcycle racing manager of Bridgestone Tyres.

"We know we face a new level with the new four-stroke project. The machine will be more powerful and also heavier, and we will need another step forward to achieve the grip and durability," he continued."We will begin tests before the end of this year with another four-stroke machine that is already racing this season. By the time the Proton starts testing we will already have some experience and data," he said.

"Our experience with Proton Team KR this year has been very rewarding - the team includes gifted engineers with some very original thinking. Next year will be a new level, and we are happy to take that step with this team," he concluded.

Kenny Roberts echoed the mutual confidence achieved between team and tyre manufacturer in their first year together.

"Bridgestone came into the top class with no previous experience, and they have achieved a high level well before the end of their first season," he said. "They bring new tyres to every race, and they've made very big strides - especially since the restart of the season after the summer break, when the endurance of the tyres improved significantly."