was amazed was not the lack of puncutres (as pirelli always seems to make a good pucture proof tyre, at least on gravel rallys in the past) but the ultimate pace of the tyre, which compared very well against the 2007 michelin. I have been thinking since..

when testing.. with the repeatitive nature of it, and the drivers beginning to 'know the road', they begin to find an ultimate base time that is fastest. If you put 2007 michelins on for this, then immediatly compared the 2008 pirelli controlled tyre , they is bound to be a big difference... but

when on the stages proper, after only a 50km/h recce, the loading on the tyre, and therefore its limits, are not explored. Therefor, my theory is.. would it matter which tyre you put on?... as the tyre, on at least the first pass of the stage, is not the limiting factor.