Competition Tyres for Gravel and Sand Course
Online 300-hour course in competition tyres for gravel and sand. 6 modules covering FIA Sporting Code Appendix J (Article 285, T2 vehicles), the FIA Cross-Country Rally Technical Regulations and MoTeC i2. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the influence of the tyre on performance on gravel and sand.
Manage tyre pressures before and during the race.
Select appropriate rims and wheel assemblies.
Interpret wear and damage to support decision-making.
Relate the tyre to set-up and driving style.
Plan the logistics and tyre costs of a team.
Develop a tyre strategy as a final project.
Who it's for
- Competition tyre engineer who wants to specialise in competition tyres for gravel and sand.
- Team performance technician who wants to specialise in competition tyres for gravel and sand.
- Tyre logistics manager who wants to specialise in competition tyres for gravel and sand.
- Track engineer who wants to specialise in competition tyres for gravel and sand.
- Competition mechanic who wants to specialise in competition tyres for gravel and sand.
- Technical adviser to a tyre manufacturer who wants to specialise in competition tyres for gravel and sand.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter off-road motorsport.
What you'll work with
- FIA Sporting Code Appendix J (Article 285, T2 vehicles)
- FIA Cross-Country Rally Technical Regulations
- ETRTO Standards Manual (tyre and rim standards)
- ISO 4000-1 (passenger car tyres and rims)
- ISO 3911 (wheels and rims, nomenclature)
- SCORE International Rulebook (Baja technical regulations)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Gravel, sand and loose surfaces: different demands1.2Competition ranges available1.3Sporting marking and homologation1.4Structure and sidewall reinforcement1.5Compounds and working temperature1.6Tread patterns and lugs for gravel1.7Tread patterns for sand and paddles1.8Regulations and permitted tyres1.9Availability and budget1.10Workshop: selection for two types of event
2.1Pressure and contact patch2.2Pressure for compacted and loose gravel2.3Reduced pressure in sand2.4Risk of bead unseating and its prevention2.5Cold and hot pressures2.6Temperature as information2.7On-board inflation2.8Pressure logging by stage2.9Decisions with partial information2.10Practice: pressure plan for a stage
3.1Steel and aluminium rims3.2Appropriate width and profile3.3Offset and its effect3.4Beadlocks and their use3.5Mounting and balancing3.6Puncture-resistant systems and mousse3.7Assembly weight and its effect3.8Rim inspection after impact3.9Compatibility with hubs and brakes3.10Practice: mounting and verifying an assembly
4.1Normal and accelerated wear4.2Reading the tread after a stage4.3Cuts and punctures on gravel4.4Damage on sand and loose stone4.5Separations and bubbles4.6In-race withdrawal criteria4.7Tyre stock management4.8Rotation between positions4.9Service life record per tyre4.10Practice: diagnosis of used tyres
5.1Effect of the tyre on balance5.2Interaction with suspension settings5.3Geometry and wear5.4Brake balance and lock-ups5.5Driving adapted to the tyre5.6Consumption and temperature5.7Correlation with telemetry data5.8Driver interview5.9Trade-off between grip and durability5.10Practice: comparative test of two tyres
6.1Quantity required per event6.2Transport and storage6.3Pre-preparation and marking6.4Service and en-route changes6.5Change time and training6.6Cost per event and per kilometre6.7Supplier relationship6.8Common management errors6.9Documented real-world cases6.10Final project: tyre plan for a season
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the course with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is MoTeC i2, Competition TPMS systems, Advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Case studies are based on real procedures for managing pressures on test stages, reading wear after a stage, comparisons of rims and puncture-resistant systems. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the influence of the tyre on performance on gravel and sand.
Manage tyre pressures before and during the race.
Select appropriate rims and wheel assemblies.
Interpret wear and damage to support decision-making.
Relate the tyre to set-up and driving style.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior qualification is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme consists of 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with full-time work.
You will work with MoTeC i2, Competition TPMS systems, Advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM diploma upon passing continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
Related programmes
Course in Setup Strategies for Off-Road Vehicles
Online 300-hour course in setup strategies for off-road vehicles. 6 modules covering FIA Appendix J, Article 283 (safety equipment for off-road vehicles), FIA Appendix J, Article…
Course in Emergency Vehicles: Wildland Firefighting
Online 300 h course in emergency vehicles: wildland firefighting. 6 modules covering EN 1846-1 (fire fighting and rescue service vehicles: classification), EN 1846-2 (common safety and…
Heavy Machinery Safety Audit Course
Online course of 300 h in safety auditing of heavy machinery. 6 modules covering Directive 2006/42/EC (machinery), Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 (machinery) and SafetyCulture (iAuditor). Assigned tutor…
More in Off-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery
All Off-Road, Special Vehicles & Machinery programmes → · How to apply · Fees & financing · Scholarships