I have recently been invited to do some snow/ice racing and time trials events in Upstate New York. I've been searching the internet about any info on winter tires with strong side walls and good traction but the searches just left me with more questions. I'm not looking for studded tires and I'll only be doing these events three or four times a year. I know a lot of you guys do rally cross etc. Your .02 is greatly appreciated.

 

Blizzaks or Green Diamonds if you want to stay studless, though not sure if Green Diamond makes 17" tires as I haven't bought a set in a few years.

There's some great rally ice/snow tires out there if you change your mind on the studs thing. I have a set of Michelin C5s with 300 studs per tire, and they're only 4" wide.

Dave

 

If you are sure you want to stay studless on ice you have two options.

Nokian Hakkapeliittas and "tractionized" Nokian Hakkapeliittass.

Tractionizing is a process by which folks cut so many sipes into the tire that the surface feels a bit like a firm rubber carpet.

It's sometimes difficult to find someone to tractionize tires for you but if you go over by special stage you may be able to find some friendly canadian ice racer who will pick up a set of tires, cut them for you and ship them down.

 

http://www.specialstage.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=34803

 

I've been on the Green Diamond website before I made this thread. Alas, no 17''s. I guess its going to be either Nokians or Blizzaks

 

Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSI's are the best all purpose ice/snow tire that I've used.

Darin

 

I've been on the Nokian website. I don't know if these are new or not but how about the R's?

http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1...akkapeliitta+R

 

Yes, those are the new versions. Great tire.
We've used them for winter rally and ice racing in the past on various vehicles.

Darin

 

R's it is then. Thanks evryone.