Gravel vs tarmac: choosing tyres for a rally weekend
Tyre choice decides more rally weekends than horsepower does. A gravel tyre is narrower, has a taller sidewall and a deep, open tread that bites into loose surface. A tarmac tyre is the opposite: wide, shallow and built for grip on a hard, clean road.
On gravel, the first car through a stage clears loose stones off the racing line, while later cars find a firmer, grippier surface. That is why road position matters, and why teams talk so much about running order.
Temperature changes everything. A soft compound that feels incredible at nine in the morning can fade by afternoon once the road has been ploughed by dozens of cars. Always check the forecast and ask local crews what the road did the previous day.
For mixed-surface events, a compromise tyre can save time in service but rarely wins stages. If the split is close to fifty-fifty, many crews prefer a slightly harder gravel pattern and accept small losses on the asphalt sections.
Whatever you choose, write down pressures, wear and conditions after every stage. That log is worth more than any manufacturer chart after a few events.