Michelin Launches Michelin Pilot Sport Gravel Tire in North America for Dirt Rally Racers

• Six 15-inch tire options for rally competition
• Available in soft, medium and hard compounds
• Features five Michelin rally technologies to provide the ultimate combination of resistance and performance for dirt rallying

GREENVILLE, S.C., Aug. 6, 2024 - Seizing on the successful launch in Europe, Michelin is releasing the Michelin Pilot Sport Gravel tire in North America for competitors and enthusiasts who race in the American Rally Association, Canadian Rally Championship, and other rally series.

"Introduced in Europe during 2023, the Michelin Pilot Sport Gravel tire builds on experience gained from our Z tread pattern, leading to a new generation of gravel tires developed for shorter stages and the R5 / Rally2 categories," said Jason Anzalone, motorsports director for Michelin North America, Inc. "The combination of resistance and performance for dirt rally racing will allow competitors to take full advantage of the latest technologies, helping drivers compete for the ultimate prize."

The tread pattern of this new Michelin Pilot Sport Gravel tire is more open and flexible than its predecessors. The constant ground contact is designed to help provide better grip in loose gravel while offering greater lateral stability. Rally competitors can expect:

• Versatile Use:The tire sidewall is equipped with two aramid textile shields that protect the tire from lateral aggression while remaining flexible but robust, developed to ensure performance on rolling and brittle roads.
• Constant Grip:The patented S-slices, which are designed to provide mobility to follow the irregularities of the ground, also increase the number of ridges, helping provide a consistent grip.
• Wear Resistance:A combination of the tread compound and tread design is designed to allow for heat dissipation, which helps increase tire wear resistance.

Rally drivers and enthusiasts can enjoy different rally-specific technologies within the Michelin Pilot Sport Gravel. These Michelin technologies include Warm-Up Technology, which is found in rubber mixtures and associated with high-tech synthetic resins. These competition synthetic elastomers are designed to allow an ultra-fast warmup for tires to quickly reach the optimum operating temperature. Side-Shield Technology showcases two aramid textile shields and is developed for use where the tire sidewall receives protection from lateral aggression while remaining light and flexible.

For more information, please visit www.michelinman.comor your preferred rally tire retailer.