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TireRack affiliate: Tires/Wheels
TireRack affiliate: Tires/Wheels
We are a Tire Rack affiliate and earn a commission when you purchase from the TireRack using the link below (all discounts and coupons apply normally): https://www.tkqlhce.com/click-101708275-10377982
Choosing the right size tire/rim
Choosing the right size tire/rim
The rim width will determine the tire width that can be mounted (see chart below). The offset is the position of the mounting point with regard to the centerline of the rim, too much positive offset and the rim will interfere with the suspension, too much negative offset and the rim will stick out of the bodywork and hit the fenders.
Here is a quick guide on how to read tire sizes including load index and speed ratings:
You can go up or down in tire size and there is a useful comparison tool at https://tiresize.com/comparison/ (see example output below). Note that your speedometer will be off if your size doesn't match the stock size.
It is also important to know how old the tires are and you can lookup the week/year of manufacture in the DOT date code as shown below:
Trailer tires
Trailer tires
Trailer tires use a different load rating specification as shown on the chart below. The load rating (LR) correspond to a ply rating (PR) that describes how many layers of fabric (such as polyester or nylon) and steel cords are embedded in the rubber that provide the tire structure, strength, and load-carrying capacity. For example, our open trailer comes stock with C load rating tires (6 ply) that are only rated 1760lbs, so 2 of them meet the spec for the 3500lbs axles of the trailer but we have upgrades to D rated tires that are rated to 2040lbs or 4080lbs per axle for additional safety.
Similarly our enclosed trailer uses 225/75R15 tires that we upgraded from D load range to E to have an extra cussion of safety over the 5000lbs rating of the axle.
We have had blow outs on all sorts of tires (brand name or not) and we switched to a schedule where we don't keep the tires for more than 2 full racing seasons.
Currently we use these tires on our open trailer: Suntek HD Trail 2 Trailer Radial Tires-ST205/75R14 105/101M Load Range D: https://amzn.to/3OSB8wR
How to use a tire machine
How to use a tire machine
Link to the tire changer base: https://amzn.to/4bYltVe (affiliate link, we receive a commission if you purchase through this link)
Other useful links:
BeadBuster: https://amzn.to/4rKN5Sk
Bead Sealer: https://amzn.to/4rHrgmJ
Tire Bead Lubricant: https://amzn.to/4sk2Znb
TOOLUXE 30007L 5 Gallon Tire Bead Seater for Tires, 145 Max PSI Tire Bead Blaster, 87-116 PSI Operating Pressure Air Cannon: https://amzn.to/4d2Va1h
Tire Changer Base for Tire Changing Machine: https://amzn.to/4bYltVe
30 Inch Heavy Duty Tire Spoon Bars / Tire irons: https://amzn.to/4ctsg9C
Gravel wheels that will clear 4/2 pot Subaru brakes with 15" gravel tires
Gravel wheels that will clear 4/2 pot Subaru brakes with 15" gravel tires
Team Dynamics Pro Rally wheels (opening between the spokes is tight they tend to not evacuate dirt as well as more open wheels)
Evo Corse wheels: http://rally.build/category/products/wheels/
Method MR 501 VT-SPEC (15x7 et48 5x100 for our 04 STIs): you can get discounts from Method if you buy at least 3 sets (consider doing a group buy with someone else)
We also recommend upgrading to ARP long studs (https://amzn.to/3PyMTbW) with long open lug nuts (https://amzn.to/4nro3r9).
Tires
Tires
Gravels
Gravels
There are a number of gravel tires that are available but most of them are in 15" diameter. The top level brands like Pirelli, Hoosier, Michelin (hard to find in the US) are extremely expensive. The super soft or soft coumpound will usually offer the best performacne at the expense of longevity, most tire manufacturers will give you a range of operating temperatures and conditions based on the temperature.
Affordable options at a good performance level include MRF ZDM3 (available through https://tirestreets.com/products/mrf-zdm) and Federal G-10 (https://rally.build/collections/federal-rally-tires/products/federal-gravel-rally-tires) with the Federal having softer sidewalls and a bit less performance than the MRF. We switched from Federal to MRF and have been pleased with their performance so far (see MRF compound info in the table below).
Other brands come and go, you might find used Maxxis, DMACKS, Cooper but those brands are not around anymore. You can find some brands like the Yokohama A053 overseas but the shipping costs are pretty high.
For rallycross use, there are lower quality tires that are more affordable like Fedima, Zestino or Indysport. Usually not suited for stage rally usage but they have specific models more adapted to mud or sand that could be seen at rallycrosses.
Snow tires
Snow tires
Snow tires are not really adapted for rally duty but when there is snow and ice, even super soft gravel tires won't give you enough traction. Many brands of snow tires offer competitive performance (check the latest comparison on your preferred YouTube channel to see what is the hot tire of the moment). Tire tractionizing can offer a good performance improvement for traction on ice when studs are not allowed (See video on the right).
The Yokohama A034 was the most common rally snow tire available and it has been discontinued in the mid-2010s. There are still few sets circulating around but they are very hard to find. The Michelin C5 was an equivalent, also discontinued. SUV versions of street snow tires can offer a stiffer and reinforced sidewall compared to the similar passenger car version (see Nokian Hakka CR5 vs Hakka 5) but it is becoming harder to find SUV tires in 15" sizes.
For icy conditions, nothing beats studs if the event allows to use them. The Nokian Hakka 9 or 10 are the best performers at the moment, they are even used as a spec tire for street legal racing by AMEC. If the regulations allow, WRC studs like the Pirelli Sottozero Ice offer the best tractions. Alpha Tires also offer a cheaper alternative to the Pirelli with custom studding.
Check WRC studs vs Gravel tires in damp conditions in the side by side video below:
Tarmac tires
Tarmac tires
Tarmac tires come in different flavors from street driving to track day specials. Specialized autocross tires get to temp very quickly but can get greasy on track especially with heavier cars. Endurance tires take longer time to warm up but offer consistent performance on the track at temp.
For hillclimbs, we like to run 200TW tires (note that rally class does not allow full slicks). We have used the Yokohama A052 in the past (Climb to the Clouds 2021) and we are now using the Bridgestone RE71-RS/RE71-RZ (Pikes Peak 2025, Climb to the Clouds 2026).
When running on mixed surfaces tarmac/dirt, a tarmac tire can perform decently on a dry dirt section if the section is relatively short. See the side by side videos at rallycross and at the Montpellier stage of rally Defi below. A gravel tire will also perform decently on asphalt if you don't push it too much, expect more sidewall roll than on a tarmac tire but you can still achieve decent performance on tarmac sections with a gravel tire, it will just wear much faster.
A snow tire can also perform decently on mixed asphalt/dirt especially in colder conditions but the tire will give up performance quickly in hotter conditions (see side by side video below).
You can check our onboard videos of Climb to the Clouds 2017 and 2021 for the dirt sections on tarmac tires.
Gravel tire grooving
Gravel tire grooving
When conditions get muddy or sandy, grooving tires to improve traction in these challenging condition might be necessary.
'I've found that grooving only helps if you're intention is to disperse water/snow/mud from the tire. Cutting new edges you're taking rubber off and decreasing the available contact patch. Rounded corners aren't bad if the surface is compact and tires are up to temp. The tread will wrap around and conform to the gravel regardless. I've grooved tires and got less grip because of this.' -- Jeff Seehorn
We use a Van Alstime G-1000 tire groover to cut our tires. We recommend practicing on used or damaged tires first. You can watch our video below.
The pictures above show manufacturer recommendations for Hoosier and Pirelli gravel tires.
Here is a page with information about Pirelli tires: https://www.fourstarmotorsports.com/pirelli-tire-tech
The video below show the recommendations for Michelin gravel tires (video is in French but you can activate English subtitles)
Some people have mentioned using the chainsaw method especially with bigger tires. I haven't personally tried it, use at your own risk!
Car alignment
Car alignment
In terms of alignment, we like a neutral car with 0 toe all around, our camber is usually around 1.5 degree, this is usually as good as it gets with the levels of grip we get on gravel (see alignment sample below). To match your driving style there are a number of parameters that you can tweak (see the Whiteline setup cheat sheet below), each car and driver is different so your mileage will vary!
Tools:
5th Gen QuickTrick QuickString – 4-Wheel Alignment solution: https://amzn.to/4dCLSsR
Brake Pedal Depressor Tool, 28 Inch Adjustable Accelerator Pedal Depressor: https://amzn.to/3PUf5FO
Wheel Alignment Turn Plates - 4-Ton Capacity: https://amzn.to/4lQxKi2
Adjustable Steering Wheel Holder, Car Alignment Steering Wheel Lock: https://amzn.to/4bHvmVY
VEVOR Wheel Alignment Toe Plates: https://amzn.to/4tkQGYv
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