MRF Tyres locked in as ARC control tyre until 2030

The EROAD Australian Rally Championship (ARC) is delighted to confirm MRF Tyres has once again secured the championship’s control tyre tender in a deal that sees the company remain in the position until the end of the 2030 season.

The new agreement extends MRF Tyres’ role as the exclusive control tyre supplier for the country’s premier rally championship for a further four years beyond the current arrangement, marking another significant milestone in the relationship between the two organisations.

MRF previously served as the championship’s control tyre supplier from 2017 to 2019 before returning to the role in 2024, where it has remained ever since.

Since its return, MRF Tyres has proven itself as a solid tyre package for competitors and teams – contributing to a rise in performance across the dynamic and demanding conditions faced on the ARC calendar.

As a result of these conditions, the ARC presents one of the toughest environments in world rallying, making tyre reliability, consistency and durability critical components of teams’ successful campaigns.

MRF itself is one of the world’s leading tyre manufacturers and has a strong presence in motorsport and commercial markets. Since its foundation in 1946 in India, MRF has continually grown and built a reputation for producing high-quality tyres for both private and commercial use, as well as international motorsport championships across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

The long-term agreement reinforces MRF Tyres’ commitment to Australian rallying and its continued investment in tyre development on the global stage, which includes involvement in the FIA European Rally Championship, New Zealand Rally Championship, Latvian Rally Championship and the iconic Safari Classic Rally in Kenya.

While the new deal will further strengthen the partnership between the ARC and MRF Tyres, the extension comes off the hard work of regular ARC competitor Tony Sullens, who played a key role in the tender via his organisation, Pinnacle Tyres.

Serving as the official Australian distributor of MRF Tyres, Pinnacle has been around for a long period of time and houses a vast selection of durable tyres, making Sullens and his team integral to the partnership’s success.

Following two epic rounds thus far, the 2026 EROAD Australian Rally Championship continues later this month with the Toyota Gazoo Racing Narooma Forest Rally on 26-28 June.

QUOTES
Adrian Coppin
ARC Championship Director

“Having locked in a control tyre supplier for the next four years is an important outcome for the championship and we’re proud to be able to continue our relationship with MRF Tyres,” Coppin said.

“The feedback from competitors on the control tyre has been overwhelmingly positive since MRF Tyres returned, as it’s a solid tyre that performs well across the wide range of conditions.

“MRF has also presented a fair and reasonable price for competitors, which was a key factor in the decision-making process, as having a tyre package that delivers both performance and bang-for-buck is extremely important for the longevity of the competition and keeping stakeholders happy.

“On behalf of everyone in the EROAD Australian Rally Championship, I look forward to working with MRF Tyres for the next four years and building on an already successful partnership.”

Tony Sullens
Pinnacle Tyres MRF Agent

“We are delighted to have secured the tender to remain the exclusive control tyre supplier for the EROAD Australian Rally Championship until the end of 2030,” Sullens said.

“Over the past two seasons we have worked closely with organisers, teams and competitors to deliver a tyre package capable of meeting the unique challenges of Australian rallying, and our commitment to Australian rallying should give everyone confidence moving forward.

“We look forward to continuing our support of the championship and contributing to the ongoing growth and success of rallying in Australia for many years to come.”