The FIA will sanction more tires for this week’s Rally Chile as the first part of a plan to help World Rally Championship tire supplier Hankook deliver through the end of this season and across next year.
The opening day of last month’s Rally del Paraguay was hit by a spate of punctures and delaminations, with the route running in unseasonably hot and unexpectedly rough conditions. Moving swiftly after the Encarnación-based event, the FIA, together with WRC Promoter, met with Hankook to find a solution for the second part of the WRC’s South American double-header.
In the wake of Rally del Paraguay, Hankook’s Steven Cho pointed out the complications of bringing the same tire to gravel rallies differing greatly in their nature – he also admitted his firm was ready to deliver more Dynapro tires if needed.
The WRC’s sporting regulations state a maximum of 28 tires can be used by the factory Rally1 teams across the duration of a gravel round. However, the FIA has issued a bulletin to increase that number to 36 for this week.
That decision was taken in a meeting late last week, but the FIA’s road sport director Emilia Abel told DirtFish this was just the part of a wider ranging plan.
“The conditions in Paraguay were exceptionally demanding this year,” Abel said, “following unusually hot weather conditions in the weeks leading up to the event. As after every rally, the FIA, together with Hankook and the relevant stakeholders, analyzed what worked well and what could be improved in order to better prepare for the upcoming events.
“Following that review, a number of short-term measures have already been implemented for Rally Chile. This includes an increased tire allocation to help mitigate the risk of excessive tire wear should the conditions prove as rough as those encountered in Paraguay.
“At the same time, we continue to work closely with Hankook, the promoter and the manufacturers on medium and long-term improvements as we prepare for the remainder of the season and for 2027.
“I can confirm we are focused on this topic to try to analyze and find a strategy to improve,” she added. “One area where we need to do more is planning, particularly by involving Hankook earlier in the process so that we can identify potential challenges sooner and prepare for them more effectively. By bringing the supplier and manufacturer teams together at an earlier stage, we can better understand the different requirements, assess the options available and agree on the most effective way forward together.
“The FIA’s focus is to ensure that all stakeholders are aligned and that we continue to learn from every event. Changing conditions are part of rallying’s DNA, however, it is important that we anticipate potential challenges as early as possible and continue refining our approach.”
Three years ago, soaring temperatures allied to dry roads caused significant issues with Pirelli’s control tire in Chile. Early indications are that the weather will be cooler this year, but the stages are well known for being abrasive.
