Drivers weren’t too happy with BFGoodrich on the 2023 Dakar Rally in January as a plethora of tyre punctures ruined many races. Sébastien Loeb’s seven stage wins have been principally for naught as three flats in Stage #2 (his fellow Prodrives Guerlain Chicherit, Orlando Terranova, and Vaidotas Žala all suffered the identical destiny) adopted by one more a day later eradicated him from total competition earlier than he might even hit his stride.
In accordance with a report from SoyMotor.com, the tyre producer will attempt to rectify any error for the 2024 Rally. Particularly, the report mentions, the brand new compound shall be “barely slower” than what’s at the moment used however is extra proof against puncture.
BFGoodrich provides the sand-specialised All-Terrain T/A KDR2+ tyre for Dakar rivals, which is available in sixteen- and seventeen-inch widths with facet ratios of 245/80-16 and 37/12.5-17, respectively. The previous is meant for all-wheel-drive autos whereas the latter is for two-wheel-drive. A mud-specific model, the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3, can be accessible. T3 and T4 automobiles race on the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3 SSV.
In Could, Workforce Audi Sport performed a debrief check in Saudi Arabia to judge what went unsuitable at Dakar. A lot of the session centered on tyre failures, and Audi simulated racing circumstances with two tyres of BFGoodriches. One such model was somewhat peculiar as Audi positioned 5 kilograms of silicone over it; whereas it certainly made punctures much less inclined, it additionally severely slowed down the automobile with the elevated weight. By the way, Audi’s racing return ultimately weekend’s Baja España Aragón noticed Carlos Sainz endure two downed tyres within the opening stage.
Mockingly, used tyres from Dakar have been donated by T1 driver Benediktas Vanagas to the Ukrainian navy to be used on their autos within the battle in opposition to Russia resulting from their sturdiness. In fact, navy and civilian autos are topic to totally different rigours than race automobiles.
SoyMotor additionally reported at the very least one different tyre producer hopes to enter the game, hastening BFGoodrich’s choice to introduce a brand new compound for 2024. BFGoodrich has served because the Dakar Rally’s official tyre accomplice because the 2017 version, and has gained eighteen occasions since 1993.
The 2024 Dakar Rally begins on 5 January.
