MICHELIN’s winter tyre survives Rally Sweden heat to win in style!

To prepare the 2012 version of the MICHELIN X-Ice North, we worked on the studs, including the materials we employ and the way they are anchored in the tread blocks. Our aim was to ensure greater resistance to damage, despite the fact that this year they protruded by 7.0mm instead of 6.7mm previously. We kept the same pattern as the 2011 tyre which proved very effective in clearing snow and delivered first class traction in deep snow. This year’s conditions featured a thin top-coating of snow on an icy base, with some stones. That gives us with a fresh challenge for 2013 when we will try to make the X-Ice North even more versatile still!

MICHELIN X-Ice North, for world class rallying at -30°C!

Certain stages of the 2012 Rally Monte-Carlo starred the studded MICHELIN Pilot Alpin WRC which was specially designed and developed for the season’s opening clash. Competitors on Rally Sweden will run the MICHELIN X-Ice North

Michelin reins in the Principality

Ever since the Rally Monte-Carlo was organised for the first time in 1911, the event’s trademark changeable, wintry conditions have played a major part in forging its popularity and reputation. Although there was no snowy backdrop to this year’s rally, competitors still had to cope with icy roads in France’s Ardèche and Vercors Mountains before tackling the legendary Col du Turini stage on the penultimate day.

Types and Sizes of Michelin Tyres Available for the 2012 WRC

Events: Rally Mexico,Rally Portugal,
Rally Argentina, Rally Greece,
Rally New Zealand, Rally Finland,
Rally GB, Rally d’Italia
and Rally de Espana
(first leg)

Michelin: From Clermont-Ferrand to the Four Corners of the Planet

My company has worked for MICHELIN for some years now. We are responsible for the logistics and organisation associated with contesting the WRC, as well for servicing competitors’ needs at all rounds of the championship.

Tyres for the 2012 Rally Monte-Carlo

Should it snow during the rally, crews will be able to run the new MICHELIN Pilot Alpin WRC (215/45R18, equivalent to 18/65-18). This tyre will be available in ‘studded’ form for icy conditions. In order to protect road surfaces, the studs must comply with the specification guidelines set out in WRC regulations. Each tyre will be equipped with approximately 240 studs (12 studs every 10cm around the circumference).

Michelin’s Tyres for the 2012 WRC

Research and development is an ongoing process at MICHELIN and several factors played a part in the development of the tyres we have produced for this year’s World Rally Championship.

The first is the enormous amount of data our engineers were able to collect at each round of the 2011 championship which marked MICHELIN’s return to the WRC after a five-year absence. This valuable information included the degree and type of wear, running temperatures and an analysis of the carcasses as a function of each stage’s profile, surface type and prevailing conditions

The 2012 WRC Tyre Regulations in Brief

The tyres we have developed for the 2012 WRC were registered with the FIA at the end of 2011. Their specification will not change in the course of the season, with the exception of two so-called ‘joker card’ evolutions, one of which MICHELIN will be able to use to bring changes to its LATITUDE Cross gravel tyre and the other to its MICHELIN Pilot Sport

The 2012 Rally Monte-Carlo… in 10 Figures

38,000 The weight (in kilograms) of the MICHELIN tyres that will be available for the WRC, P-WRC and S-WRC competitors. That’s equivalent to the combined weight of their cars!

2012 Rally Monte-Carlo:The Lastest Regulations, Michelin’s WRC Tyre Range plus more

Several evolutions have taken place over the short winter break. First of all, the latest WRC tyre regulations have led to a reduction of almost 20 percent in the number of tyres competitors may use on each event. Meanwhile, crews will now be authorised to use two types of tyre on gravel rounds. These changes have been driven by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile’s determination to see motorsport play a part in paving the way for the mobility of tomorrow.