PARIS (Sept. 15, 2010) — The FÃ&Copy;dÃ&Copy;ration Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has accepted Group Michelin's application to supply tires for the World Rally Championship (WRC) starting next year, but the Paris sanctioning body has not yet identified any other tire suppliers for the series.
Michelin said it will supply Michelin-brand tires to the WRC, reversing a decision made five years ago to shift all off-road competition activities to the BF Goodrich brand.
Michelin's application comes in the wake of a rules change that will allow open competition among tire makers for next year's WRC season, returning to that status after three seasons under a single-supplier regulation. The FIA earlier said it would disclose by Sept. 15 the names of tire makers approved to take part.
The rules change coincided with Pirelli Tyre S.p.A.'s appointment as the single supplier of tires for the FIA's international Formula 1 and GP2 series and Pirelli's subsequent decision to not participate in the WRC next year after three seasons as the spec tire supplier.
In a statement, Michelin said: “Racing offers Michelin's teams the opportunity to validate their technological innovations in the most extreme conditions of use. These innovations will then be transferred to street tires, thereby helping to improve the performance balance and lower the environmental impact of Michelin's products.
“Motorsports also provide a powerful incentive for Michelin to further its mission of ensuring sustainable mobility.”
Michelin also said it supports the FIA's commitment to restrict the number of tires used in races, beginning in 2012.
The decision marks a return by Michelin to rally racing's premier-class category. Michelin competed for many seasons until the FIA made WRC a single-supply series in 2005, winning 38 world championships titles.
Michelin did not say whether it will continue to participate in the Intercontinental Rally Championship (IRC), where it has competed for the past three years using the BFG brand.