ERJ staff report (TP)
Monte Carlo, Monaco – DMACK, the British independent tire manufacturer, starts the new rally season with a “bang” as the 2014 FIA World Rally Championship burst into life with the iconic Rallye Monte Carlo (14-19 January) in Monaco this week.
DMACK said: “As one of the most famous, well-known and respected rally events, it provides a unique challenge for both competitors and tire manufacturers.
“The traditional asphalt speed tests ribbon their way through the high-altitude, mountain passes and it’s that terrain, mixed with the traditional tough winter conditions, which make the event a classic.
“However, this year’s event heralds a number of changes. The rally base has moved from Valence to the Haute-Alpes town of Gap taking in a number of new special stages. The finish ceremony and base for the final day’s action remains in Monaco nearly 300km from Gap.
“In addition to fulfilling the usual demands around tire performance and safety, DMACK will be providing an increased range of products to master the diverse conditions experienced on the event.
“For snow and ice covered roads, competitors will use DMACK’s DMT-ICE in either studded or un-studded form. The studded tire is equipped with nearly 200 metal pins – each protruding 2mm to help bite into the frozen ice and extract as much grip as possible from the cold conditions. The un-studded tire is best suited for mixed slush and melting snow.
“DMACK’s asphalt snow tire benefits from an all-new compound for 2014 and has been studded using the firm’s in-house T-bar stud system which helped seal victory on Rally Liepaja-Ventspils last year.
“For dry, wet and mixed asphalt roads, crews will turn to the proven DMT-RC asphalt tire which DMACK retains from last year. It is available in two compounds – the soft S3 and the super soft XS3.
“DMACK is set to supply competitors in the WRC 2 series and privateers. They can use a maximum of 36 tires from an allocation of 76 – this allocation is made up of 24 studded snow tires, eight un-studded snow tires, 20 super soft and 24 soft asphalt tires.
“Traditionally, tire choice is made even more difficult due to varied conditions on the stages. It’s not uncommon to see half a stage covered in snow and the other half over the top of a col [lowest point on a mountain ridge between two peaks] completely dry. Drivers have been known to save chunks of time by making inspired tire choices consisting of a mix of different patterns.
“One of those crucial decisions could come on Friday [17 January] afternoon at Digne les Bains when DMACK transports tires for crews to fit at a remote tire zone to complete the day’s action.
“This year DMACK and Michelin are joined by tire manufacturers Pirelli and Hankook as the world series becomes a more exciting proving ground generating tough competition between top tire brands.”
Dick Cormack, DMACK motorsport director, said: “Monte Carlo is renowned for its classic format and hugely demanding conditions. DMACK brings four different tires to help competitors master the conditions and once again we’ve introduced an evolution of our snow tire after our experience on the event in 2013. After some significant news around the Drive DMACK team and the recently announced Drive DMACK Fiesta Cup, we’re all really looking forward to getting the championship underway.”
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Press release from DMACK
