Dmack unveils “green” Surface Saver rally tyre

Dmack has unveiled a new environmentally-friendly rally tyre whose tread is designed to reduce damage to roads and help cut costs and improve sustainability in motorsport. The Dmack Surface Saver has a low impact and less aggressive tread pattern which results in reduced abrasion and damage to gravel roads, the Anglo-Chinese manufacturer says. The E-marked tyre exhibits a symmetrical D-block design with reduced edges and 3mm less tread, measures it says give the tyre enhanced durability.

Dmack says the design delivers the same feeling of competitive driving, though reduced grip means cornering speeds and surface damage will be reduced. The construction and carcass of the tyre is identical to traditional gravel motorsport tyres and a high degree of puncture resistance is maintained.

Currently gravel rally tyres have a tendency to bite into the roads, breaking up the surface and throwing gravel and stones onto the surrounding verges. Not only does this have a negative impact on the environment but rally organisers face huge repair costs which ultimately drive up entry fees and costs to the competitors.

Dmack says it came up with the new tyre design after consultation with key national rally championships. Therefore it is designed to appeal to series organisers wishing to introduce a control tyre initiative to help cut costs and meet environmental responsibility targets.

Dmack also argues that its Surface Saver aligns with the FIA’s campaign to boost sustainability in motorsport and reduce the number of tyres competitors are required to use on events. The tyre shows Dmack’s commitment to the FIA World Rally Championship where there is an ongoing push to improve tyre longevity and increase the distance between tyre changes on events.

It will be available in two sizes initially: 195/65-R15 for national rally championships and 245/80-R16 for rally raid events. Dmack will have tyres available for testing purposes.

Dick Cormack, Dmack motorsport director, said: “We’ve spoken to a number of national rally championships and there’s a real need to explore options to improve the impact motorsport has on the environment. Our new Surface Saver has all the construction characteristics of a traditional gravel tyre but the tread design causes less damage to roads and improves durability. In addition, this will help to cut competition costs and hopefully allow more younger drivers to access the sport.”