The rule that every four wheel drive car on the Swedish Rally had to use either a Michelin or a DMack tyre of the same design has drastically reduced the number of tyres which were produced for the rally.
Michelin prepared 1020 tyres for Sweden compared with 2430 tyres for Monte Carlo, when tyres complying with five different other specifications were prepared.
This cost cutting development in rallying was pioneered by the former FIA President Max Mosley, and adopted by Pirelli when they were the FIA’s preferred tyre suppliers in 2008-2010.
When the FIA rally contract moved to Michelin, there was a progressively widened choice of tyres available for WRC events.
The difficulty with winter tyres is that there is effectively no aftermarket for tyres which competitors do not use, the only hope being that the same specifications will be in force the following year.
- Martin Holmes
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