2001 MSA Tyre Regulations

The revised tyre regulations coming into force on 1st January 2001 are I understand brought about by the proliferation of used (and new) Formula 3 slicks which, although marked according to the MSA requirements, are not considered suitable by the MSA for the rigours of single venue rallying. This is exacerbated by the fact that these tyres are sometimes grooved for use on multivenue events, and being secondhand this is not allowed.

The following is I believe the way the rules will go. As from the 1st Jan 2001 any tyre with a moulded tread and a minimum of 17% tread pattern will be allowed. Additional tread may be cut by the user provided the tyre is new, no deepening of the tread pattern will be permitted. As a concession and until 1st July 2001, Dunlop tyres moulded as slicks and cut by Dunlop to a pattern yet to be "homologated" with the MSA may be used (only Dunlop having apparently made an acceptable case to the MSA ? see below re F3 tyres). In addition a production date may be stated, any tyre moulded before this date may not be acceptable. I have no idea what that date may be but suggest it may well be 1st Jan 2000, we will have to wait and see on this one. I believe that a tyre with the current Dunlop 'wet' pattern will be acceptable until 1st July 2001. It may also be that a tyre grooved to the current (2000) MSA tyre regulations will be acceptable, again we will have to wait and see.

I believe that behind the scenes a lot of effort is being put into making the transition to moulded tyres as easy as possible to us all.