L955NBF - Blog
New Season, New Tyres!
Time for a new set of eco boots for the Rav. Ok, so no tyres are actually that ecologially friendly, but recycled tyres feels like the right approach for racing. The Rav has run on Insa Turbo tyres in the past. This brand provides a good balance of performance, affordability, and eco-friendliness. whilst trying to reduce the impact of tyre manufacture by using recycled tyre carcasses.
Selecting the right size has been a bit of a headache. In the past the Rav has run 205/80R16 Dakar MT. In 2024 a replacement set of Insa Turbo Dakar 2 MT - 205/80R16 tyres were bought and fitted, but I immediately found that these were a full 2" bigger diameter than the 'original' Dakar MT in the same size.
Left : Insa Turbo Dakar 2 MT - 205/80R16 (2024 purchased)
Middle : Insa Turbo Dakar MT- 205/80R16 (2010 purchased)
Right : Insa Turbo Dakar MT - 215/65R16 (2025 purchased)
Although the extra ground clearance would have been a bonus, the tyres rubbed. Up front they rubbed on the rear of the arch and mud flap when turning in one direction and then on the chassis rail at the front when turning the other. The only solution was going to be use use a different size.
After some measuring I found the best fit was going to be the 215/65R16. This is a very similar diameter to the 'OG' 205/80 Dakar MT, and although slightly wider fits the car without fouling.
