"for rally use" tires street legal?

Skoloseven · 10-10-2008, 02:22 AM

Are "for rally use" gravel tires street legal in Florida?

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Arctic Penguin · 10-10-2008, 02:26 AM

are they DOT?

Skoloseven · 10-10-2008, 02:35 AM

Dunlop SP Sport 84R

??? i don't know if they are DOT

or NOT

RonJitsu · 10-10-2008, 03:08 AM

you have a link to these tires?

scobaru · 10-10-2008, 03:14 AM

technically.... rally cars have to be street legal that's why they are catted they are driving on public roads in between stages so one would be led to believe they are DOT approved... I could be wrong though

Skoloseven · 10-10-2008, 03:16 AM

i can't find a link sorry-- these are comming from japan connection

however, i dont have much "gravel" around me and to get to "gravel" for these "Gravel" tires i have to drive about 15 miles of tarmac out of the city. They aren't safe because of the lack of contact surface area due to hudge knobs, i don't want to hurt anyone by not being able to stop ya know.. but neither are huge lifted 4x4's and they seem to do just fine.

RonJitsu · 10-10-2008, 03:22 AM

I'm sure they're fine as long as you dont drive like you have summer tires on...

I'm just wondering, but are you buying gravel tires just to go play in the gravel? Or are you actually into Rallyx or soemthing like that?

scobaru · 10-10-2008, 03:25 AM

you can get plenty of gravel tires in the US. you shouldn't need a Japanese connection...

Skoloseven · 10-10-2008, 03:56 AM

i coudln't find any here cheap enough,, everyone is over priced--

i just screw around i dont race-- it sounds fun though...

tonuprocker · 10-10-2008, 04:17 AM

most of them are NOT dot approved

CoiloverKid · 10-10-2008, 05:30 AM

kumho R700's are available thru tirerack.

cheap and "for race use only" but I still drive with them on the street. just dont drive over like .. 70. they'll wear out really fast.

RonJitsu · 10-10-2008, 06:35 AM

Pick up some RallyArmour flaps too if you plan on playing in the gravel, or say goodbye to your paint.

Howl · 10-10-2008, 07:27 AM

Technically most "for Rally Only" tires are not legal for street use, but there are unwritten exceptions like when you are getting to or from a stage.

You don't want to use rally tires as your daily driver tire though. They are absolute crap on pavement. I mean noisy, squirmy and unsafe at highway speeds. The softer compound ones will disappear after a few hundred miles on pavement (they disappear after a few hundred miles on gravel too).

I don't know what it's like in Florida, but up here in rally country most rally teams have stacks of tires that are too worn for stage rally, but are perfect for fooling around or rallyX. Most teams will sell them very cheap, or even give them away in exchange for some support.

If you decide to go another route - I've got BFGoodrich Traction TA's on my Forester. They are quite adequate for pavement and not bad at all for gravel.

sniper1rfa · 10-10-2008, 08:02 AM

I'm with howl - get some traction TA's and call it a day.

Rally tires are not DOT approved. Moreover, they are designed for very specific conditions (IE, gravel tread comes in hard, medium, and soft compounds for different textures and temperatures). Hell, they even come in treads for drivetrain and power options, IE 300HP AWD, or ~150 HP FWD.

http://www.fourstarmotorsports.com/P...2/Default.aspx

Notice that the temp ranges are tiny, also.

You really don't want to run rally tires on the street.

GreasyJoe · 10-10-2008, 12:16 PM

Why not just get some inexpensive, DOT approved, street legal, safe, dual-purpose tires like many 4x4's have? Kumhos are good tires that are inexpensive. Look on Tire Rack's website - they have all kinds of stuff.

rdodger · 10-10-2008, 05:27 PM

What does it really matter? Do you honestly think a cop is going to notice or care about not DOT approved tires? Especially with "power" mods clearly visible?

06STi · 10-10-2008, 06:51 PM

Get some studded snow tires..

fliz · 10-10-2008, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdodger

What does it really matter? Do you honestly think a cop is going to notice or care about not DOT approved tires? Especially with "power" mods clearly visible?

A friend got a ticket for having Hankook tires on his rally car driving home from a rallyx.

He was also dinged for no front plate, exhaust (anything louder than stock is illegal in WI) and tint.

He would have been nabbed for seatbelts, but luckily he didn't remove the stock belts from his car when he built it.

The fact is, rally cars are "street legal" pretty much only at rallies, where the local police have been informed of the rally and asked not to harass the competitors.

Although, I do think Michelin tires have a DOT number. I'd guarantee Dunlop tires not sold in the US do not have DOT approval.

Subie Gal · 10-10-2008, 07:04 PM

real rally tires are not DOT approved

gravel rally tires are indeed crap on the street and horrible in the snow

used tires can be had for $10-15 each usually.

Howl · 10-10-2008, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreasyJoe

Why not just get some inexpensive, DOT approved, street legal, safe, dual-purpose tires like many 4x4's have? Kumhos are good tires that are inexpensive. Look on Tire Rack's website - they have all kinds of stuff.

The problem is trying to find a good 4X4 tire that isn't two inches too tall. There are very few good 4x4 tires that are usable on an Impreza.

sniper1rfa · 10-10-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdodger

What does it really matter? Do you honestly think a cop is going to notice or care about not DOT approved tires? Especially with "power" mods clearly visible?

It matters because gravel tires aren't worth crap on tarmac. They are intended for a specific use, and suck at everything else.

Counterfit · 10-11-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06STi

Get some studded snow tires..

What good would the studs do in gravel?

Ralliart4 · 10-11-2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skoloseven

Are "for rally use" gravel tires street legal in Florida?

I am not sure about the legality but then again think about it you are in florida where pretty much anything that works goes.

I have driven tons of miles to and from rallies and between stages on tarmac on gravel tires and there will be no problem driving but some things to note.

1. gravel tires dont like wet tarmac
2. the comound and treads dont like hot tarmac
3. When you drive on tarmac and these tires start to go away and chunk they go away FAST!

Skoloseven · 11-12-2008, 01:56 AM

hey thanks for the input.. Yeah florida is pretty lax about things for the most part, unless you go to places where its obvious cops will harass you. Lots of meets get broke up and people get tickets for exhaust, noise, etc.

I sure could use the sand tires to be honest, but I don't think paddle tires will do very well on pavement commute. Gravel tires seem like a happy medium, but I'm afraid of the chunking like you mention. So what kind of tire type should I get? I need something hard enough to take street use, but with enough tread depth to "paddle" through deeeep loose sand.

DUB03REX · 11-12-2008, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skoloseven

i can't find a link sorry-- these are comming from japan connection

I don't know what Japan Connection is, but I assume these tires are being imported from Japan for you? If that is the case, why would you think that tires manufactured for the Japanese market would be approved by the United States Department of Transportation?

10-10-2008, 02:22 AM	#1
Skoloseven Scooby Newbie Member#: 190226 Join Date: Sep 2008	"for rally use" tires street legal? Are "for rally use" gravel tires street legal in Florida? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Team dynamics Rally 1's with street tires?	BeatLA	Tire & Wheel	15	12-02-2012 01:00 PM
AutoX Street Legal Tires	chaddeus	Tire & Wheel	3	01-25-2007 12:14 PM
Kaiser's Ongoing "For Sale" Thread. Tired of making multiple threads. CAR AND NONCAR	kaisersouse	NESIC Private Classifieds	3	02-20-2006 03:27 PM
Are Rally cars Street Legal?	MarkZ	Newbies & FAQs	12	02-12-2002 04:33 PM

10-10-2008, 02:26 AM	#2
Arctic Penguin Scooby Specialist Member#: 119532 Join Date: Jul 2006 Vehicle: 2006 WRX	are they DOT?

10-10-2008, 02:35 AM	#3
Skoloseven Scooby Newbie Member#: 190226 Join Date: Sep 2008	Dunlop SP Sport 84R ??? i don't know if they are DOT or NOT

10-10-2008, 03:08 AM	#4
RonJitsu Scooby Specialist Member#: 132301 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Central NJ Vehicle: 07 WRX Limited 6MT 20G - SWP	you have a link to these tires?

10-10-2008, 03:14 AM	#5
scobaru Scooby Guru Member#: 31345 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Wisconsin Vehicle: 05 LGT, GC8, NA blue, white, blue	technically.... rally cars have to be street legal that's why they are catted they are driving on public roads in between stages so one would be led to believe they are DOT approved... I could be wrong though

10-10-2008, 03:16 AM	#6
Skoloseven Scooby Newbie Member#: 190226 Join Date: Sep 2008	i can't find a link sorry-- these are comming from japan connection however, i dont have much "gravel" around me and to get to "gravel" for these "Gravel" tires i have to drive about 15 miles of tarmac out of the city. They aren't safe because of the lack of contact surface area due to hudge knobs, i don't want to hurt anyone by not being able to stop ya know.. but neither are huge lifted 4x4's and they seem to do just fine.

10-10-2008, 03:22 AM	#7
RonJitsu Scooby Specialist Member#: 132301 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Central NJ Vehicle: 07 WRX Limited 6MT 20G - SWP	I'm sure they're fine as long as you dont drive like you have summer tires on... I'm just wondering, but are you buying gravel tires just to go play in the gravel? Or are you actually into Rallyx or soemthing like that?

10-10-2008, 03:25 AM	#8
scobaru Scooby Guru Member#: 31345 Join Date: Dec 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Wisconsin Vehicle: 05 LGT, GC8, NA blue, white, blue	you can get plenty of gravel tires in the US. you shouldn't need a Japanese connection...

10-10-2008, 03:56 AM	#9
Skoloseven Scooby Newbie Member#: 190226 Join Date: Sep 2008	i coudln't find any here cheap enough,, everyone is over priced-- i just screw around i dont race-- it sounds fun though...

10-10-2008, 04:17 AM	#10
tonuprocker Scooby Newbie Member#: 152913 Join Date: Jul 2007 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: santa cruz/cotati Vehicle: 2005 Sti s	most of them are NOT dot approved

10-10-2008, 05:30 AM	#11
CoiloverKid Scooby Specialist Member#: 29650 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: International Location: Himeji/Osaka, Japan Vehicle: Lady Gaga fan club GDB & RX7	kumho R700's are available thru tirerack. cheap and "for race use only" but I still drive with them on the street. just dont drive over like .. 70. they'll wear out really fast.

10-10-2008, 06:35 AM	#12
RonJitsu Scooby Specialist Member#: 132301 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: Central NJ Vehicle: 07 WRX Limited 6MT 20G - SWP	Pick up some RallyArmour flaps too if you plan on playing in the gravel, or say goodbye to your paint.

10-10-2008, 07:27 AM	#13
Howl Scooby Specialist Member#: 57830 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ontario CA Vehicle: 1999 OBS	Technically most "for Rally Only" tires are not legal for street use, but there are unwritten exceptions like when you are getting to or from a stage. You don't want to use rally tires as your daily driver tire though. They are absolute crap on pavement. I mean noisy, squirmy and unsafe at highway speeds. The softer compound ones will disappear after a few hundred miles on pavement (they disappear after a few hundred miles on gravel too). I don't know what it's like in Florida, but up here in rally country most rally teams have stacks of tires that are too worn for stage rally, but are perfect for fooling around or rallyX. Most teams will sell them very cheap, or even give them away in exchange for some support. If you decide to go another route - I've got BFGoodrich Traction TA's on my Forester. They are quite adequate for pavement and not bad at all for gravel.

10-10-2008, 08:02 AM	#14
sniper1rfa Scooby Specialist Member#: 141040 Join Date: Feb 2007 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Designing things Vehicle: 07 2.5i wagon UGM	I'm with howl - get some traction TA's and call it a day. Rally tires are not DOT approved. Moreover, they are designed for very specific conditions (IE, gravel tread comes in hard, medium, and soft compounds for different textures and temperatures). Hell, they even come in treads for drivetrain and power options, IE 300HP AWD, or ~150 HP FWD. http://www.fourstarmotorsports.com/P...2/Default.aspx Notice that the temp ranges are tiny, also. You really don't want to run rally tires on the street.

10-10-2008, 12:16 PM	#15
GreasyJoe Scooby Specialist Member#: 112037 Join Date: Apr 2006 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Bay Area, California Vehicle: 2002 WRX Wagon Red	Why not just get some inexpensive, DOT approved, street legal, safe, dual-purpose tires like many 4x4's have? Kumhos are good tires that are inexpensive. Look on Tire Rack's website - they have all kinds of stuff.

10-10-2008, 05:27 PM	#16
rdodger Scooby Newbie Member#: 156447 Join Date: Aug 2007 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: NWIndiana Vehicle: 99 18g'd 2.5RS-T Black	What does it really matter? Do you honestly think a cop is going to notice or care about not DOT approved tires? Especially with "power" mods clearly visible?

10-10-2008, 06:51 PM	#17
06STi Scooby Specialist Member#: 97561 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: GT30R Cosie-Hybrid Vehicle: 2006 Widebody WRB/Carbon/Primer	Get some studded snow tires..

10-10-2008, 07:04 PM	#19
Subie Gal GC84Ever Super Moderator Member#: 301 Join Date: Sep 1999 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: WA Vehicle: 2001 2.5 RS/70 Van 02 WRX Rally Stud	real rally tires are not DOT approved gravel rally tires are indeed crap on the street and horrible in the snow used tires can be had for $10-15 each usually.

11-12-2008, 01:56 AM	#24
Skoloseven Scooby Newbie Member#: 190226 Join Date: Sep 2008	hey thanks for the input.. Yeah florida is pretty lax about things for the most part, unless you go to places where its obvious cops will harass you. Lots of meets get broke up and people get tickets for exhaust, noise, etc. I sure could use the sand tires to be honest, but I don't think paddle tires will do very well on pavement commute. Gravel tires seem like a happy medium, but I'm afraid of the chunking like you mention. So what kind of tire type should I get? I need something hard enough to take street use, but with enough tread depth to "paddle" through deeeep loose sand.