Rally cars put a unique set of demands on tires, and gravel rally tires in particular have to be designed around some pretty specific parameters. They need to be durable and harder than most tires, with a stiffer sidewall and good resistance to cuts, chips, and punctures (including the sidewall). They also need to be able to spin and throw gravel readily without losing control, as they cut through loose stones to find a hard surface. At the same time, their tread compound needs to be soft enough for good braking and cornering performance, along with reinforced internal construction that will stand up to hard use and the occasional accidental impact. Most gravel rally tires feature an asymmetric tread pattern with one or two strips of straight block toward the tire’s inboard side, which enhances grip during acceleration and braking. Toward the tire’s outboard side, the tread pattern is designed more for turning and cornering, giving the driver the most amount of control in varying severities of corners.

The Accelera RA162 is a purpose-built gravel rally tire that checks those boxes, with exceptional wear properties and a tread design that’s exclusive to the gravel rally game. The Accelera RA162 is designed for durability and the control you need at every stage of gravel rally use.

But is this the right tire for you? Let’s go in for a closer look with this Accelera RA162 review:

Features and Benefits

Here’s some of what you can expect with this specialized gravel rally tire:

• Medium tread compound is custom formulated for gravel rally use – durable but still soft and flexible enough for traction on rough surfaces and tracks
• Dual tread blocks toward the inboard side of the tire are designed for grip both while accelerating or braking
• Three grooves at the sidewall help resist punctures and cuts
• Three rows of angled tread blocks toward the shoulder provide confident control and traction in a variety of cornering angles
• Wide angled grooves are designed to easily evacuate water from the tire’s contact patch and eject mud and debris as the wheel turns
• Reinforced sidewall resists punctures and cuts as well and delivers great cornering stability
• Contact patch optimized for best traction, braking, cornering, and control on rough surfaces.

Pros and Cons

So, is this Accelera tire a good match for your gravel rally race? Consider the strengths and weaknesses of the tire before you decide:

PROS:

• Outstanding durability, even in the roughest use
• Control and braking performance are first-rate

CONS:

• Not DOT-approved or street-legal

SimpleTire’s view on Accelera RA162 tires

The RA162 from Accelera is a great value in a purpose-built tire for gravel rally use. The idea of a softer compound for rough applications might seem like a contradiction, but that’s how gravel rally tires are designed (it’s a fairly complex equation that can even take in things like ambient air temperature on race day) The RA162 uses a medium-hardness compound with a tough casing and super-reinforced sidewall for the combination of durability and nimble performance that you need on the gravel rally circuit. Remember that a typical gravel rally is going to include jumps, ruts, and other obstacles that might murder any other tire – the Accelera RA162 is built for the job.

The unique asymmetric tread pattern lives up to the hype, with excellent control even in tight hairpin turns and switchbacks, and braking performance that’s confident and direct. The reinforced sidewall delivers more than cornering ability, too – it’s designed to resist separation toward the tire’s contact patch or possible de-beading during hard use and hard cornering. And no, the Accelera RA162 isn’t street-legal, it’s a gravel rally tire and isn’t intended for street use, ever. It’s designed specifically around the specs of a gravel rally car, including increased ride height and ground clearance, suspension geometry, suspension rate, and alignment angles.

Vehicles the Accelera RA162 is a good replacement tire for

As a gravel rally racing tire, the Accelera RA162 isn’t a good match for every vehicle. That being said, here are some vehicles that make a good pairing:

• Subaru WRX STI
• Ford Fiesta
• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
• Toyota Celica
• Honda Civic
• Mazda 2
• Fiat 500 Abarth