Same driver at Mid-Ohio pro course. April NASA (Toyo) race best time 1:42.8; July SCCA (Ho-Hos) Mid-Ohio race best time 1:42.5. Yea, I get ambient temps are a factor.
Again, if everyone is on the same tire of what possible relevance is "fastest tire?"
Fastest tire wasn't my point. Toyo is offering almost the same amount of grip (according to lap times) and is nearly the same size. To me this says that SM 7 tire width and stickiness is not the primary factor for mechanical failures AND SM7 lack of durability is most probably due to compound.
I'm with Ron that bearing wear etc is more likely attributed to the cars being older, run harder, and lower quality replacement parts.
A Raybestos wheel bearing I bought a month ago even has a new, thinner, cheaper casting. I was meaning to post pictures of it because the hub face nearly 30% thinner and not suitable for racing at all (so watch out if you recently ordered a Raybestos wheel bearing).
Anyways, to stay on topic, I don't mind the SM7. SM7 or Toyo and I would be fine. I don't want to run a 200tw street tire. I would however be extremely interested in junking the Hoosier H2O for anything; even plywood circles (and the plywood could double for rear brake pads).