Free Tyres Offered to Lure Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Competitors

Motorsport is admittedly not the cheapest of pastimes, but at least competitors taking part in this year’s Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship will not have so many worries about tyre costs. Pirelli, in conjunction with the Association of National Championship Rally Organisers (ANCRO) has announced that all registered competitors will be eligible to receive four brand new Pirelli tyres, completely free of charge. This decision has been taken, say the organisers, in a bid to tempt competitors to contest the eight-round national series.

The only condition drivers need to fulfil in order to receive the free tyres, is that they compete in at least four rounds of the 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship using Pirelli brand tyres as stipulated in the regulations. In terms of the tyres available, after consultation with competitors Pirelli has decided to make a number of different types available, including a 14-inch version (165/70-14 T6) as well as the K4 version for 15-inch rims to complement the K6 that was originally specified.

In effect, competitors will be required to pay for all tyres until such time as their fourth event has been completed, whereby they will be credited to the cost of four tyres retrospectively. There will be no cost for fitting the control tyres.

“We wanted to support ANCRO and their drive to help their competitors, helping to build the strength of the championship and at the same time giving the competitors something to smile about in what are tough times,” said Martin Pallot, Pirelli’s Motorsports and Events manager. “Therefore, anyone who is planning on doing the championship gets a set of tyres free on us, providing they contest four rounds.

“As was agreed some weeks ago after discussion with teams and the championship, we are happy to include the K4 harder compound tyres for all four wheel drive cars and would be happy to answer any questions that competitors may have as Pirelli is totally committed to the 2009 Pirelli MSA Gravel Rally Championship and will do all we can to help,” Pallot added, referring to the broader range of tyres requested by drivers.

“ANCRO has always operated in the competitor’s best interests and by doing this; we are hoping that competitors will choose our series over perhaps one or two others,” concluded championship co-ordinator Lyn Jenkins. “We have some wonderful events lined up and if this initiative is a success, we’ll look at seeing how we can expand such offers in future.”