Well I was just taking a look at the WRC Monte Carlo trials in snowy/icy roads and I just couldn't believe the speed and control they are maintaining under such conditions. I don't have a lof ot snow experience but when it's snowy/icey around here, most cars will slide sideways at even moderate bends doing 30mph, even with snow tyres on. What I am curious finding out is, are they experiencing almost the same amount of sliding as everyday cars but they are that much better drivers in controlling/correcting it or is that the WRC cars are that much different in terms of keeping traction that they have less sliding to deal with?

Edited 16 January, 201313 yr by newbie69

It’s ALL down to the tyres, they will be on snow tyres AND they have studs in them.

They use very specialised tyres and change them lots. To put things in context, on a rally they'll change all 4 tyres twice a day irrespective of the weather and how worn the tres are in terms of remaining tread depth.

+1 on tyres, though after driving 100+ miles on roads covered with loose snow on at least 2 occassions, with just plain unstudded winter tyres, I must say that after the first 15min-20min it is good fun.You just have to plan braking and turns about 30 seconds ahead.

All right then. Stud tyres is something I had in mind but wasn't sure if it alone, gives the ability to take corners at 15-20 mph faster than the simple, everyday winter tyres we have on our cars.

Keep in mind studded tyres are not road legal in most of Central/South/Western Europe, it's mostly Northern Europe countries that use them.

Don't worry I didn't mean I was thinking of putting studded tyres on mine! lol!