The Nova ZZXC is the first all-new tire designed, developed and manufactured from the ground up by Nova Motorsport. Created specifically for Cross Car (XC), the tire marks a new chapter for Nova Motorsport as the brand expands from producing proven Avon Motorsport products to developing its own original competition tires.
Created specifically to meet the demands of Cross Car racing, the ZZXC extends Nova Motorsport’s mixed-surface competition portfolio alongside its existing multichampionship-winning Rallycross (RX) and Autocross (AX) products.
The development concept
Nova Motorsport drew upon the decades of competition tire knowledge within its engineering team, including experience gained through the design, development and manufacture of Avon Motorsport products for Rally, Rallycross and Autocross competition. According to the company, the result is a highly innovative tire package that offers teams a series of unique advantages.
The Nova ZZXC rear tire features a distinctive asymmetrical tread pattern. Unlike a directional design, the rear tire can be fitted on either side of the vehicle, meaning competitors only need to carry one spare rear tire rather than separate left- and right-sided products.
Nova Motorsport developed the rear tire’s outer shoulder with larger tread blocks to maximize durability under load. In contrast, a more open inner tread pattern has been created to generate greater traction. The tire design aligns with the relatively low levels of camber typically used in Cross Car chassis setups.
The rear tire has been developed to enable competitors to adjust the profile by altering the tire pressure. Lower pressures create a flatter profile ideal for dry conditions; increasing the pressure can create a more crowned profile better suited to wet and muddy surfaces. In these conditions, the aggressive open tread allows the larger blocks to engage more effectively while helping the tire evacuate mud.
For the front tires, Nova Motorsport retained the directional characteristics familiar to Cross Car competitors while developing a distinctive new tread. An arrow-shaped central block combines with larger blocks on either side, providing better management of the wear and loading generated during aggressive steering and cornering.
Philip Carder, product category manager at Nova Motorsport, said, “From the outset, we were determined to create a genuine Cross Car tire that would provide a new level of performance, rather than adapt a product developed for another discipline.”
Successful benchmark test
Nova Motorsport conducted a comprehensive track evaluation of the Nova ZZXC at Circuit Parc de la Serra in Mollerussa, Spain, with David Méat, three-time FIA European Cross Car Champion, at the wheel.
The test program evaluated the tire across a wide range of performance criteria, including start-line traction, acceleration, braking, steering response, cornering behavior and durability. The Nova ZZXC was also benchmarked directly against established competitor products.
“Testing on such a demanding circuit and in extreme conditions gave the Nova ZZXC nowhere to hide,” said Méat. “The traction off the start was particularly strong, and that gave me a lot of confidence through the corners and into the braking areas. There was plenty of lateral grip when the tire was loaded up, and the overall performance was very encouraging for the first test of a completely new product.” Further validation was provided by champion driver Olivier Barré at Circuit Nicolas Klein in Is-sur-Tille, France.
The Nova ZZXC was presented in Lohéac, France, in August 2026, during Round 6 of the eight-round Rallycross France championship.
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