Hi everyone. I’m sorry if I’m asking questions that have already been answered. I’m just getting in to the whole rally racing and I had a couple of questions that I would like to ask to a more experienced crowd would actually do the sport, Vs the people that watch it on Youtube and think they know everything. So first of all, I am hoping to participate in the January 25 Mini Rally race (100km), that’s being held in Bradford, Ontario. I am planning to use my everyday driver and my only car that I own. (2004 Mitsubishi Ralliart) Since I’ve never done this before, I have no idea how bad the road conditions are and how much damage it will do to my car. Could anyone people give me an idea? Chipped paint? Dented doors? Half of my car missing by the end out the race? The next thing I would like to ask is does anyone know what I should be expecting? Like are the courses usually half dirt, half pavement? Or All pavement?  And the last thing I would ask for is could someone please recommend a decent tire that will do a good job. It doesn’t have to be the best tire in the world. I just want to start small. Thanks for the help.

Sorry, your right. I should have used the word event. And thanks for your input about the X-icings. I would have thought that thoughs tires would be the number one choice. Anyone else use somethign different that also works good.

This is a busy weekend! We're also holding our first Open Road Rally of the season on Saturday, with start/finish in Almonte.

Re your question about cars, we get all sorts, including one team that has campaigned a rally van for years!

And, there is indeed *no* racing involved in a TSD.

Jeannie, MCO

In basic terms, for TSD rallies in the winter - If you have a decent set of winter tires with sipes you should be good.  The more sipes the better for icy conditions.  A very upright tread block at the sidewall is also a good thing to look for.  I don't like to use a studable tire if I won't be using studs as the rubber seems a bit harder then that used in a studless tires.  

I'll leave the gravel/pavement question to someone else (what works well on one, won't on another)

The mini's are probably 50/50 pavement and gravel. In that area there will probably still be a lot of packed snow on the back roads so you may not be able to tell the difference . . . unless it all washes away on Sunday.

My current favourite wnter tire right now is the Toyo Garit KX.

I heard the same of the Kumho winter tires - I had some a long ways back that were but I have to say I was disappointed with my last set.  I've been much happier since I switched to some Yokohama IG10s.  I am going to save the Kumhos for the Peanut.  

thanks alot again for all the help guys.

Dave Cotie wrote on 01/22/10 at 15:06:19:


Dave,

We're on our third B5 Passat. I'd call you a fool for running anything other then Yokohama iG-20's. Just think of it as we did the testing!

And they're well priced!