Rallycross: gravel tires vs. snow tires on gravel at freezing temps, but no snow.

The dilemma: Our final event is a 2-day. In the mountains in Frostburg, Md. November 22-23. Forecast is looking at light snow/rain mix the week before, and maybe during that weekend. Temps looking like mid-30s during the day (at highest) and 20s at night....with plenty of wind chill (it's windy as hell there always).

We run on deep gravel surface. I don't expect any significant snow accumulation by then, but there could be a little bit, and with those temps if there is recent rain it could be icy on gravel.

So the dilemma is this: tires. I have medium-compound DMacks, and I have winterforces. What should I consider the cutoff to be between using the rally tires and the snows in terms of conditions, since I know gravel tire compounds get really hard and brittle around freezing temps...?

Note that I don't care if I destroy either set of tires. This is the last event of the season, and I have to win both days to win the season points. So I want whatever is going to be fastest, without concern of which one will "hold up" better.

Of note, Nick (leading me by 2 points) will have the same dilemma, so tire choice could be the deciding factor that weekend.

Do not under any circumstances use the gravels. Below 5c (more like 10c in your case since you have mediums) they will be useless. Any snow on the ground, game over!

Hell, unless it is above 20*c, winter tires grip fairly well on gravel, they just disintegrate.

Rally tires did not seem to have any advantage at the first day of nationals this year when it was in the 30's. I would run snows below 40-45.

ok, thanks. I ran gravels in the 30s last march but ground was totally dry (hadn't rained in a week or two) and didn't have any notable wear and they seemed to grip ok. But this upcoming event I expect there to be moisture on the ground.

God I hate how floppy winterforces are, lol.....

winterforces and 40+ PSI.

Nokians would be optimal because of their sidewall stiffness.