WRXWagon27

Looking to participate in my first rally this year with a mostly stock '04 wrx wagon. I'm running 17" bbs' and I'm looking for a competent set of tires. Hoping to spend $50 per tire. Anything helps.

Andrew

tecnica tech

iTrader: (1)

what kind of rally are you doing? some events have different classes based on the tire

G_Ride

iTrader: (5)

What tire do you have right now?

queeg9k

iTrader: (11)

I ran one on blizzaks. They hooked surprisingly well. They are not cheap though.

Alliedforces86

iTrader: (34)

If you want to run tires on your 17s you'll have to run snow tires.. Gravel tires only come in 14", 15".. I have 2 new spare 15" gravel tires if you end up going that route.

Alliedforces86

iTrader: (34)

https://www.i-club.com/forums/norcal...-tires-246993/

Boom! RS wheels ready to rally with snow tires!

queeg9k

iTrader: (11)

This. Also 15" wheels don't fit over big brakes.

There are a couple companies that make 16" gravel tyres but you can't get them in the USA. I once called a UK company and inquired about getting some. They laughed and hung up on me.

bkblitzed

iTrader: (5)

lol wth?

queeg9k

iTrader: (11)

Eh?

Gancherov

iTrader: (13)

There is/was an FIA limit on gravel tire max diameter of 65cm and 17" is 43.1 cm leaving only about 11 cm of sidewall height. That doesn't mean they aren't out there. I think Pirelli and maybe BFGoodrich both make a 17 inch and maybe 18 inch rally tire, but you'll have to special order them from the UK and they will probably cost ~350 each including shipping and taxes.

If you want to get super serious about rally and you just have to have rally tires, your best bet is a set of 15 inch wheels and 4-pot/2-pot wrx brakes, and then rally tires will cost ~$125 to your door. The problem with this is that if you go to a rallyX event with proper rally tires you will be competing in the highest class with fully built rally cars. The cars aren't the problem, the problem is the guys driving them usually have serious experience and you won't stand a chance. On top of that, the tires would not be legal to drive on the highway (they're usually not DOT rated from what I know, mine definitely say "competition use only").

Given that your budget is $50/tire, you're looking for some used winter tires. This will also let you stay in stock 4wd class with people you can enjoy competing against. Run slightly higher pressure in your tires for the soft off-road stuff to keep from de-beading and you'll be fine.

WRXWagon27

Thanks for all the help. I'm looking to drive in the Mendocino rally as it is the closest I've found to the bay area. I've been looking on craigslist for some used winter tires that I think were off a small truck or suv so I can get a taller wall, 55 or 60. I think I should still have clearance with that. After all of your suggestions I think when I get the funds I'll buy a set of 16's. I'm not sure the 15's will fit over my brakes. I wasn't able to download their rulebook so I don't know if legit rally tires would bump me up in class but if it does I'm steering clear of that for now, I want to stay competitive.

eastbaysubaru

iTrader: (9)

If you're really intent on running the Mendocino Rally, you'll want real rally tires. You'll want real rally tires because you're going to need a full roll cage. You're going to need a full roll cage because it's required. Because racecar.

This could go on and on. Do you have, or will you have, a fully prepped rally car for the rally?

-Brian

sebhockey

iTrader: (3)

I think you should look at doing a rallycross instead of an actual rally. There's a couple rallycross events around here, including Santa Rosa in the spring and multiple Prairie City (outside Sacramento) events. These are less intense and give you an introduction to the basics of rally and I'm pretty sure this is what you are looking for.

You won't be able to enter the Mendocino Rally without a fully logbooked car and actual rally tires, cage etc...For the actual deal you definately don't want to be out on stage with a 1 or 2 ply street/snow sidewall tire.

queeg9k

iTrader: (11)

What the above two guys said.

WRXWagon27

I've ridden my dirtbikes at prairie city and saw the 4x4 area which just looked like a flat dirt patch they roped off and threw some boulders in, is there an actual coarse there for cars? Do you have any links or # for the place in Santa Rosa? Thanks Brian for bursting my bubble :-)