08 Sep 12

Latvala: tyres
could be key
in Wales

Jari-Matti Latvala reckons tyre choice could be a key factor on Wales Rally GB, especially if the warm and dry conditions expected next week prevail.

Latvala, part of the two-strong factory Ford line-up on the FIA World Rally Championship qualifier, said it was highly likely that drivers would have to utilise some of their supply of soft compound tyres, which are designed for use when the weather is cold and damp.

“One of the big decisions will be tyre selection,” said Latvala, whose Fiesta RS WRC will be co-driven by fellow Finn Miikka Anttila and equipped with Michelin’s Latitude Cross tyre. “In the dry we should use Michelin’s hard compound rubber, especially as the surface in some forests is abrasive. But the allocation we’re allowed means we can’t do that for the entire rally, so it will be tricky to know when to use soft tyres and when to use harder rubber.”

In accordance with the WRC regulations, drivers are restricted to 30 soft compound tyres and 22 hard tyres and can use a total of 35 for the 19-stage event, which totals 324.92 competitive kilometres. Like Michelin, rival firm DMACK will supply its tyre, the DMG+2, in hard and soft compounds.