Any high-quality SNOW tire will work well for the winter events. We've run Blizzaks (WS-50's now) for the past 5+ years - both in Winter rallies and the winter performace events with great results - read lots of "zeros".

I've stopped at controls, on what I thought was gravel - gotten out of the car and darn near fallen on my ass. We were on SHEER ICE! The Blizzaks made it feel like packed snow or even loose gravel - they gave us so much grip. Admittedly - we were in an AWD car - but that has no real effect on braking or cornering - the tires really did make a huge difference.

While "cheap" tires might seem like a deal - I think they're a false economy - since fixing body work (or worse!) damage caused by a big "off" can quickly consume any savings you realised by scrimping on tires.

Buy GOOD snow/ice tires and good lights - and you'll have way more fun in the winter drivex events.

Just my $0.02.

RK

In snow the best tires I've tried so far are Nokian Hakka 1, but they suck on icy surfaces. Excellent on ice, and possibly the best overall that I've tried were the Yokohama Guardex 720.

I seem to recall that the Weathermasters are not a very soft compound.  So, they might look good, agressive, but won't perform too well in -20C, typical Ontario temperatures during the winter rally season.  Maybe a great DOT 'gravel tire' as I've heard is done in some SCCA rallyX.  I've never seen anyone on the PIRELLI (note spelling) tires.  

Toyo Observe are very popular, too.  I use Blizzak, and they are fantastic.  I like the Guardex 720's, too.

ymmv

The Hakka2s look good but what about the studs?  They are not yet legal - what are the chances of getting caught and what would be the penelties if you did?  What about disqualification in a winter rally?  (mabey I should not mention this last point)

(The "Pirellis" - Winter Carving, a new model, looks like a Hakka knockoff) anyone heard?

In Ontario - as far as I know (I am looking for confirmation) - Studded tires are illegal for use on Ontario roads.  Several people are looking to have this changed (ie: Sudbury MPP Rick Bartollucci and the Ontario Fire Cheifs Association).  The Honorable Rick Bartollucci (LIB) Put forth a private members bill proposing an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act which would allow studded tires (for the first time since 1970) by residents of Northern Ontario.  

From what I can see on the Ontario Legislature website the bill (bill 57 if I am not mistaken) only made it through 1st reading (therefor not proclaimed into law).

What I beleive is the current law is stated at the following http://www.oafc.on.ca/committees/Legislative/Resolutions/2003/Resolutions2003.pd...
and says that studded tires are prohibited on Ontario roadways and is punishable by a 1000$ fine.  I must say - I was not able to find this in an online document claiming to be the Highway Traffic Act.  

As for the rallying concern - correct me if I am wrong -but - in terms of a navigational rally, on public roads - if you contravene a section of the H.T.A.  (ie speeding, reckless driving or studded tires if illegal) would you not be disqualified from the event?

Am I right on this?

Hakka 1 and 2's are NOT STUDDED tires... they are perfectly street legal...
so they are still the best tires you can buy on the market, I just drove up to North Bay with them and the AWD Subaru, an UNBEATABLE combination, the safest thing on the road... without a doubt....

Hmmm,

All these recommendations sound good.
But what about tires like:
Vredestein??
Gislaved??
Matador??

All of those are used in rallies.  How come nobody so far mentioned those????