30 replies to this topic

[Todd Green]

Crossing over to NASA will likely be pretty low on the priority list Getting NASA members to cross over to SCCA races should be somewhere other than the bottom of the list.

Fixed. We all know NASA isn't moving, and the SCCA contract is up first right? So it would make sense to move back to Toyo. (Assuming it is a priority of most members to be able to run with both sanctioning bodies.)

[Jim Drago]

Fixed. We all know NASA isn't moving, and the SCCA contract is up first right? So it would make sense to move back to Toyo. (Assuming it is a priority of most members to be able to run with both sanctioning bodies.)

If that is a priority and rated highly in the survey, the club should listen. Just not sure they will add that question I will suggest it though if asked.

[LarryKing]

Sorry to say that different tires is only a secondary reason I don't race NASA anymore.

 

My biggest issue has always been the fact that there are only two run groups on a typical race weekend to accommodate all manner of classes, and that I've been at too many events at which the races were shortened in order to stay on schedule to keep the HPDE people happy.

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Sorry to say that different tires is only a secondary reason I don't race NASA anymore.

 

My biggest issue has always been the fact that there are only two run groups on a typical race weekend to accommodate all manner of classes, and that I've been at too many events which had the races were shortened in order to stay on schedule to keep the HPDE people happy.

 

AMEN BROTHER...

[Todd Green]

My biggest issue has always been the fact that there are only two run groups on a typical race weekend to accommodate all manner of classes, and that I've been at too many events at which the races were shortened in order to stay on schedule to keep the HPDE people happy.

NASA seems to be very region dependent (in my experience.) We also only have two race groups, but our race director has been very accommodating about giving SM a split start if we ask for it and have the numbers. We've never had a race shortened for DE's. Generally if something has to be shortened it is the run group that caused the problem that has their time cut.

But our NASA race director is also our SCCA race director, so the two groups tend to run very similarly.

[JRHille]

Just to clarify, HPDE sessions are also shortened to get back on schedule. Not saying that I like short sessions or mixed up groups..

[Sacslider]

Best for spec tire (IMO)

8-12 USUABLE cycles( meaning I would race a 10 cycle tire without questions)
reasonable priced tires
trackside support
a tire that does not benefit from shaving
reasonable amount of grip ( not a complete rock)

IMO neither of the current Spec tires are "best" for SM and both could and should address some of these concerns for the benefit of the class.

 

Out of curiosity, what do you believe is the best tire option for the class, available today?

[Jim Drago]

Out of curiosity, what do you believe is the best tire option for the class, available today?

I am not a good person to answer that question. My answer would be a little more than a guess. I spend all my time testing/using the Hoosier as that is the spec tire now. I have not run the new Toyo, I have not run the BFG's in 3 years and only ran it once at Sebring in STU, not for an extended time period. Others are probably more qualified to make an assessement. My post is my opinion of what the tire should be.

[Brian Ghidinelli]

Fixed. We all know NASA isn't moving, and the SCCA contract is up first right? So it would make sense to move back to Toyo. (Assuming it is a priority of most members to be able to run with both sanctioning bodies.)

 

FWIW, I have done some data mining on this topic when we were on the same tire and found that, at least in NorCal, the NASA -> SCCA crossover is significantly smaller than SCCA -> NASA.  Therefore, while an attractive theory about being on the same tire, it is not one that seems to play out in our neck of the woods.  

[Glenn Davis]

FWIW, I have done some data mining on this topic when we were on the same tire and found that, at least in NorCal, the NASA -> SCCA crossover is significantly smaller than SCCA -> NASA.  Therefore, while an attractive theory about being on the same tire, it is not one that seems to play out in our neck of the woods.  

I think that's probably the same story for most areas, as the SCCA is much more racing focused than NASA.  Given that, having the same tire will reduce costs for some percentage of the population.  This benefit needs to be measured against any benefit derived from spec'ing a given tire.  Service at the track, contingencies, kickback to the leaders are all part of the equation.

 

Here's an alternative.  If the tire of the "alternate" sponsoring organization is less competitive, why not allow it?  For last year, would anybody have complained if the RR was run in SCCA SM?

 

I guess there might be some track, under some conditions, that would favor the lesser tire, but that's the complete outlier.

 

For the case of the SM6 vs the RR, this may have gained attendance at SCCA events as the SM6 seemed to be the tire of choice.

 

I'm sure there are exclusivity deals that I'm not aware of that drive the equation, but I'm just a racer.

[FTodaro]

I think its hard to deny that being on one tire and one set of rules is the best thing for the class overall. you know the old story what you don't know you don't know. hard to say who is staying home due to the cost of running two tires.