From WRC.com
By bringing out a new range of asphalt tires ahead of the Rallye de France-Alsace, Michelin might have changed the hierarchy in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
The French tire manufacturer has upgraded its Pilot Sport rubber in both soft and hard compounds for the Strasbourg-based event that runs from 3-5 October.
The new S4 (soft) tire, suitable for use in cool and damp conditions, and the new H4 (hard) ideal for warmer and drier weather, feature a new tread pattern and a revised construction that reduces the weight of each tire by 0.5kg.
All of the leading factory teams have been testing Michelin’s new rubber in the build up to the penultimate asphalt rally of the season and their findings are set to force them into making some crucial set-up changes in readiness for the event, described as a cross between the stages that are typically found in Spain and Germany.
Didier Clément, Citröen’s Chief Operations Engineer, said: "We need the car to be very balanced in terms of downforce and testing enabled us to work on this particular aspect with the new Michelin range of tire which have been completely redesigned to include a fairly deep, third longitudinal line.
"Our two drivers have adapted well to the new tire and they had the same feeling and agreed on the same set-up in preparation for this rally," added Clément.
By bringing out a new range of asphalt tires ahead of the Rallye de France-Alsace, Michelin might have changed the hierarchy in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
The French tire manufacturer has upgraded its Pilot Sport rubber in both soft and hard compounds for the Strasbourg-based event that runs from 3-5 October.
The new S4 (soft) tire, suitable for use in cool and damp conditions, and the new H4 (hard) ideal for warmer and drier weather, feature a new tread pattern and a revised construction that reduces the weight of each tire by 0.5kg.
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| (Photo: WRI2) |
All of the leading factory teams have been testing Michelin’s new rubber in the build up to the penultimate asphalt rally of the season and their findings are set to force them into making some crucial set-up changes in readiness for the event, described as a cross between the stages that are typically found in Spain and Germany.
Didier Clément, Citröen’s Chief Operations Engineer, said: "We need the car to be very balanced in terms of downforce and testing enabled us to work on this particular aspect with the new Michelin range of tire which have been completely redesigned to include a fairly deep, third longitudinal line.
"Our two drivers have adapted well to the new tire and they had the same feeling and agreed on the same set-up in preparation for this rally," added Clément.