58 replies to this topic

[FTodaro]

Another point for a molded tire vs. shaved tire, in addition to the added cost to shave a tire, is that I have had some shaved tires come out of the hopper out of round, You could see it in the tread pattern too. It took a bunch of tire wts to get it right. I guess that could be from the original tire, but I notice that the Full tread tires I have had took less wt to balance them than the shaved. could just be me.

[mdavis]

Anyone have any experience with the BFGoodrich R1 as a molded tire option?

[Tom Sager]

Anyone have any experience with the BFGoodrich R1 as a molded tire option?

Didn't SRF use that tire for 1 season? If so, there must have been a reason they went another way so quickly.

[dmathias]

Didn't SRF use that tire for 1 season? If so, there must have been a reason they went another way so quickly.

$$$

[Qik Nip]

I've burned through a few dozen sets of RA1's, and a few sets of SM6 Hoosiers. Here's my take .... On average the SM6 has superior grip and equal longevity to the RA1. The absence of shaving and the lower weight of the Hoosier is a winner IMHO. I would love to see the following come out of the next evaluation:
1)Select a molded tire
2)Pay a contingency at the regional level!
3)One tire at the regional and national level
4)NASA and SCCA select the same tire
Rick

[dmathias]

2)Pay a contingency at the regional level!

+1

[Bruce Wilson]

$$$

Not sure what you mean by that but according to SRF drivers the tires were junk. They flatspotted very easily. One spin or brake lockup and all 4 tires were done. Lots of unhappy campers, so they ditched them after about a year.

-bw

[Qik Nip]

I have trouble believing that BFG will be in the serious running. It will more likely be; Kuhmo, Hankook, Toyo and Hoosier. Which one is chosen isn't (for me) so big an issue.

We just need; a molded race tire, contingency at the regional level (because they buy 75% of the damn tires), one tire for reg/nat, and oh yea, an open rain tire!
Rick

[Kyle Burkhardt]

I can't see NASA going away from its close/long-time partner, Toyo, on a spec tire for its largest class.

[Tom Sager]

We just need; a molded race tire, contingency at the regional level (because they buy 75% of the damn tires), one tire for reg/nat, and oh yea, an open rain tire!
Rick

You're crazy. I think Drago buys 75% of the tires himself.

[Qik Nip]

You're crazy. I think Drago buys 75% of the tires himself.

Tom:
Upon reflection, you may be right on both counts. I don't know how many Drago buys, but lemme see ... I race a Miata, so check, yep crazy.
Rick

[D. B. Cutler]

I agree with Nip provided that they pick the Hoosier.

However, since this is the SCCA, they'll pick the Toyo based on the fact that Toyo as superior trackside support. They'll also site that drivers like to pay $15 per tire to have them shaved since it makes them lighter.

[Qik Nip]

I agree with Nip provided that they pick the Hoosier.

However, since this is the SCCA, they'll pick the Toyo based on the fact that Toyo as superior trackside support. They'll also site that drivers like to pay $15 per tire to have them shaved since it makes them lighter.

+1
Don't forget that we also like to get really crummy shaves occasionally!
Rick

[pat slattery]

Wouldn't we be shaving Hoosiers also if we wanted to run at the front of the pack?

[dstevens]

Wouldn't we be shaving Hoosiers also if we wanted to run at the front of the pack?

The tread profiles are different so that may not be required. When you shave the Toyo you make it closer to the Hoosier thread profile. It's closer to a slick, somewhat like the grooved F1 tires from a few seasons back. I'm not sure the Hoosiers have 4/32nds to take off.

[Kyle Burkhardt]

The tread profiles are different so that may not be required. When you shave the Toyo you make it closer to the Hoosier thread profile. It's closer to a slick, somewhat like the grooved F1 tires from a few seasons back. I'm not sure the Hoosiers have 4/32nds to take off.

Why not shave to 2/32, then. They'll probably heat cycle out before you use that much!

[dstevens]

Why not shave to 2/32, then. They'll probably heat cycle out before you use that much!

Without knowing the thickness and construction it's difficult to say. These are grooved slicks, not treaded street tires.

[Bruce Wilson]

Well with Toyos, its very common for people to shave 1-2/32 vs 3-4/32, only to have tires last one weekend. And it has nothing to do with tread, because all the side tread is gone at those depths. D.B. and Rick, you guys sound pretty confident shaving won't happen with Hoosers. I'm interested in hearing more about why you think it won't.

-bw

[Kyle Burkhardt]

Well with Toyos, its very common for people to shave 1-2/32 vs 3-4/32, only to have tires last one weekend. And it has nothing to do with tread, because all the side tread is gone at those depths. D.B. and Rick, you guys sound pretty confident shaving won't happen with Hoosers. I'm interested in hearing more about why you think it won't.

-bw

Agreed. I'll admit I've run in alot of circles where Hoosiers are popular and have never seen them shaved, but they are SM guys looking for wt loss from their tires either. I'll guarantee you there's SOME rubber to be removed and guys with the money won't care if it means the tires are only good for one session!

[Colin MacLean]

There's no need to shave Hoosiers. How many guys in all the other classes do you see shaving tires? We're just the suckers on the Toyos doing it. Words cannot express how much SM is missing out not running real race tires.