Tyre suppliers both back Rally Norway

WRC tyre supplier BFGoodrich has publicly supported Norway's bid for a WRC event in a press release following the end of the winter phase of the 2006 World Rally Championship.  Drivers with BFGoodrich tyres took first, second and third in Monaco and victory in the Swedish Rally, proving that on both the partially icy Monte Carlo and in the wintry conditions found in Sweden, BFGoodrich's stud performance played a capital role despite differences in the specification of these metal tips from one event to the next.

In an interview about the obstacles and challenges of the tyre regulations, BFGoodrich's Rallies Programme Manager Aimé Chatard mentioned that tyres have to be versatile, they have to be developed and tested and several different types are needed for each event.  Full winter tyres are tested in Sweden in December and used for one WRC rally only, months later, when noone can be sure whether the conditions match those of the test.  In the rules the FIA has restricted Swedish Rally tyres to one type of pattern, but this means the tyre companies have to develop the most versatile tyre possible - which costs money.  Chatard's suggested solution echoes that of Pirelli, but even more strongly in favour of Rally Norway:

"What you could do is include a second full winter event in the calendar which would allow us to cover our investment better. Rally Norway is knocking on the WRC's door and we are somewhat in favour of its inclusion. We are curious to see whether our studs are as competitive over the ice of Norway as they are on Swedish ice!"