How World Rally Championship Scrutineers Track Tyre Limits

Tracking Tyres Before Cars Leave Service

Rally itineraries require competitors to manage finite tyre quantities across gruelling multi-day events, making rigorous enforcement essential. As seen in the official WRC tyre marking explained process, governing bodies rely on embedded technology and strict physical checkpoints to prevent crews from accessing surplus or unapproved rubber. For the 2026 season, four-wheel-drive competition tyres supplied by Hankook feature permanent RFID tags embedded into their casing structure prior to vulcanisation, alongside unique individual barcodes registered with the FIA.

Before cars depart the service park, Tyre Fitting Zones, or Remote Service Zones for competitive road sections, they must pass through dedicated marking stations. Scrutineers scan the barcodes and RFID chips to log each tyre fitted to the chassis. To facilitate this flow, a single crew member is allowed into the exit zone solely to assist officials with scanning, whereas shakedown marking occurs under direct technical supervision where assistant team access is prohibited.

Stage-Side Verification and Road Management

Supervision does not cease once crews clear the primary checkpoints. Technical officials possess the authority to conduct conformity checks anywhere along the event itinerary to ensure the rubber on the car corresponds to the pre-registered list. Representatives from the official tyre partner may also attend special stage finish stops to inspect tyre wear and collect working operational data.

Crews face severe logistical constraints regarding wheel management between timing controls. Complete wheels can only be mounted, dismounted, or swapped in official service areas or designated change points. Spares collected during a service cycle must stay aboard the car until the next sanctioned tyre zone. While non-registered tyre patterns from the designated supplier are tolerated during public road liaisons, running unregistered tyres across timed special stages triggers immediate referral to event stewards for sporting penalties.

Official reference: https://www.fia.com/system/files/documents/wrc_2026_sr_version_13_january_2026.pdf.