Tyre title rivals 16 points apart ahead ERC Silesia showdown

After seven action-packed ERC counters in 2024, Pirelli is just 16 points behind Michelin after it trimmed the French company’s previous 23-point advantage on JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion last month.  

The Italian firm heads to Poland hoping for more big scores from its top-seeded drivers Hayden Paddon and Jon Armstrong (pictured above).

Michelin, meanwhile, will count on Miko Marczyk’s (pictured above) local knowledge, Mathieu Franceschi’s determination to land the outright ERC title and Yoann Bonato’s asphalt pedigree that made him a winner on the sealed-surface Rally Islsas Canarias in May.  

MRF Tyres starts Rally Silesia well placed to bank its first outright victory of 2024 with Simone Tempestini making his second ERC start on its products alongside Andrea Mabellini and new recruit Meirion Evans.

After equipping Dominik Stříteský during his Barum Czech Rally Zlín victory charge in August, Hankook’s focus during Rally Silesia will be on those chasing points in FIA Junior ERC in its role as official supplier to the young driver championship. Mille Johansson, the 2024 Junior ERC and ERC4 champion (below), will step up to ERC3 in Poland in a Hankook-equipped Ford Fiesta Rally3.

FIA European Rally Championship for Tyre Suppliers after round 7/8 (provisional):
1 Michelin: 325 points
2 Pirelli: 309 points
3 MRF: 189 points
4 Hankook: 120 points