107 replies to this topic

[Brian Ghidinelli]

There's still a few regions out there not running the Hoosier. Now that you have a year of experience running it, can you share your feedback via the poll?

Free form feedback welcome, too. I'm particularly interested in responses from drivers not on the podium who may be more cost-value conscious.

Thanks!

[Rob Burgoon]

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[Dan Tiley]

Wow... As of right now 85% of us run in the top 33% of the finishing positions. No wonder we're always running into each other.

For me, I love the speed, grip and even the "tread" wear of the Hoosier, but have been disappointed with the falloff in laptime after the stickers wear off. Seemed to me the 4/32" shaved Toyos were "good" for about 6-7 sessions, where the Hoosiers are maybe raceable for 3-4. Either still has plenty of rubber left, but the compound is toasted.

Love seeing a truck at every track that says "Hoosier" on the side of it though. We're getting great trackside support right now, even on the technical side. That's definitely worth something in my book. Either side has is pluses and minuses.

[William Bonsell]

Just ran a 8 hour endurance race on a set of H2O's....incredibly superior to the RA-1's we practiced on. After 8 hours on the H2O's, with some dry track between downpours and with no rotation of tires on a CW track, only the drivers side front tire was in questionable shape. Very impressed.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

IMO the only reason to not go back to TOYO, which would again put NASA and SCCA on the same tire, is the rains. H20 rains are incredible compaired to the RA1. I still think is benifits the class to be on the same damn tire...

[Alex Bolanos]

For me, I love the speed, grip and even the "tread" wear of the Hoosier, but have been disappointed with the falloff in laptime after the stickers wear off. Seemed to me the 4/32" shaved Toyos were "good" for about 6-7 sessions, where the Hoosiers are maybe raceable for 3-4. Either still has plenty of rubber left, but the compound is toasted.

Love seeing a truck at every track that says "Hoosier" on the side of it though. We're getting great trackside support right now, even on the technical side. That's definitely worth something in my book. Either side has is pluses and minuses.

No sense in retyping, my thoughts exactly.

[Armando Ramirez]

IMO the only reason to not go back to TOYO, which would again put NASA and SCCA on the same tire, is the rains. H20 rains are incredible compaired to the RA1. I still think is benifits the class to be on the same damn tire...


Cannot we use the Hoosier rains and the RA1 for dry?

Of course this might not be politically or sponsor wise correct, or doable.

[fishguyaz]

imo if you are getting 4 sessions and then experiencing drop off, may as well be using soft compound slicks like they do in FF. you must have a new set for the race to even be competitive. ~$800/ weekend is a high cost for tires in a SM. if i am going to spend that $ i would prefer to be racing the formula car I own.
the toyos were a good bargain i thought.
i have yet to buy the hoosiers because of this.
with the nationals being elimanated and replaced by the majors what is the tire plan for scca SM
hoosiers at majors and runoffs, and all other events the tires are open(DOT) as they currently are in a regional race?

[LarryKing]

Fishguy, Important to note: not all SCCA regions are open tire. Some require spec tire for regional competition.

[LarryKing]

"With all due respect" I don't care what NASA does.

[Glenn]

imo if you are getting 4 sessions and then experiencing drop off, may as well be using soft compound slicks like they do in FF. you must have a new set for the race to even be competitive. ~$800/ weekend is a high cost for tires in a SM. if i am going to spend that $ i would prefer to be racing the formula car I own.
the toyos were a good bargain i thought.
i have yet to buy the hoosiers because of this.
with the nationals being elimanated and replaced by the majors what is the tire plan for scca SM
hoosiers at majors and runoffs, and all other events the tires are open(DOT) as they currently are in a regional race?

Thats an "intresting" point to make.....how or WHEN will the regions change their rules to "fit" the new program? Mike C, you going to weigh in on this soon.........

[Brian Ghidinelli]

Hey, stay on topic!! Only actual feedback from drivers who ran the tire this past year! No speculation! No looking at your neighbor, no passing notes in class!

[Mike Collins]

Glenn, your question is a good one. Not sure. I see 2014 treating Majors like Nationals for contingency etc... The tire contract does not come until 2015.

[Mike Collins]

I still vote open tire for SM!!!! I know it is a Spec Class, but open tire curbs the spending and brings in more "tire war" sponsors. The guys who spend money now on stickers every session will keep on spending...it won't change the outcome but it sure will keep the overall cost of tires down!

[Waterboy]

SM6 is no faster than RA1. Only benefit is trackside support which does have some benefit. RA1 you could practice on them then race on them, SM6 no way. You have to qualify on stickers and race on no more than a session or two tires and if you practice on older tires the car acts completely different.

[svvs]

SM6 is no faster than RA1. Only benefit is trackside support which does have some benefit. RA1 you could practice on them then race on them, SM6 no way. You have to qualify on stickers and race on no more than a session or two tires and if you practice on older tires the car acts completely different.

So far I'm with you on this one. My lap times are pretty similar on RA1's vs SM6's, except for that opening heat cycle on stickers.

The SM6 though does allow for the ability to brake later than I could on RA1's in a passing situation.....though part of that may be because I'm going a bit slower down the straights than I was on the RA1's.

The Hoosier H20 though is night and day compared to full tread RA1's.

[Neil O]

Isn't this poll a little irrelevant since the RA1 is getting replaced by the RR. Do we really know everything about the RR yet?

FWIW, I like the RA1 better than the Hoosier. But, that game has changed as well.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Isn't this poll a little irrelevant since the RA1 is getting replaced by the RR. Do we really know everything about the RR yet?

FWIW, I like the RA1 better than the Hoosier. But, that game has changed as well.

Who ever said the RA1 was replaced by the RR? the RA1 is still the rain tire for NASA for the forseeable future unless toyo developes a Rain Tire. the RA1 will remain available till such time...

[Neil O]

My mistake! Carry on...

[Jamz14]

To all the whiners complaining about differences between the tires. Stop, get some good driver training, then you will be good enough that a couple of tenths difference won't matter. Your skill will keep you at pace with all the guys that have a couple tenths advantage and you can now drive around the problem!!!

Now I'm starting to sound like a seasoned veteran.