MotoAmerica asked its official control tire supplier Dunlop for something special for the Honda Superbike Showdown of California at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and the tire manufacturer delivered.

For starters, Dunlop has brought a new “extra soft” rear race tire, the HFC21, for the Superbike and Bazzaz Superstock 1000 classes. The prototype tire is a “good step softer” than the current softest race-compound rear Dunlop, the 2662, and has an “upgraded” construction, according to Dunlop’s Mick Jackson.

At least two of the factory Superbike racers have put race distance on the new “extra soft” rear during practice, and it is being considered a viable option for the race.

Dunlop has also brought new tires for the KTM RC390 Cup class, the Alpha 13 SP, which replaces the Alpha 13. The Alpha 13 SP front and rear have softer compounds, different constructions, a slightly different tread pattern, and the rear has a revised profile.

Finally, Dunlop didn’t change its rear qualifying tire for the Superbike/Superstock 1000 class, but this weekend riders who qualify to be in Superpole Two will be allowed to use two rear qualifying tires instead of the usual one, something that has the top riders excited.

“I think it’s cool,” said Yoshimura Suzuki’s Roger Hayden. “It takes a little bit of pressure off to try and get that one clean lap. I guess the biggest thing will be how do you play the session trying to get the most out of both qualifiers. I like it, and I’m excited to get the chance to do the first one and see how I can improve on the second one.”