38 replies to this topic

[Keith Novak]

I'd advise waiting to see what the facts are before people start making too many assumptions based on interweb rumors.

[dstevens]

These aren't rumors Keith. Honda and Toyota are reporting they won't be back to full capacity for a year. CNBC has been doing extensive reporting on the impact to business over there. I have first hand knowledge of how difficult it is over there right now. We evacuated 300 people from our two Tokyo productions starting as soon as Narita opened to our facility in Macau. They've since returned and are due to open again in the next week or so but things are tough over there. Some things are in tight supply. And everyone is on pins and needles.

Basically most if not all of the ports north of Tokyo are still closed and will likely be closed until the end of summer. They were wiped out. Truck stuff in from the southern ports? Sure, if not for the fact most of the trucks in the effected region were incapacitated from the disaster. You can't just crap several thousand tractors and trailers. It didn't damage the supply chain, it destroyed it. The available resources are going toward sustaining the citizenry and recovery and rebuild.

There is not enough electricity. TEPCO themselves have said it will be rationed, country wide, until at least fall. Fukushima is done, all four reactors. Let's hope they can stop the damage to the environment before it gets worse. Much of the distribution and generating capability in the north was destroyed. Public transportation in that region was wiped out. Not damaged but almost totally destroyed. Can't make tires if people can't get to work. Can't get raw materials into the plant. Can't get finished product out of the country. Toyo is a leading OEM for road cars. Which do you think they'll get back on line first? Street car tires, or racing tires? Nothing is shipping from that Toyo plant and they can't give an estimation on when it will resume and at what capacity. I don't know about you but if my business depended on them I'd be looking at alternatives sooner, rather than later.

[dmathias]

I would love it if someone would explain to my dense brain the vast set-up differences between RA1s and Hoosier SMs.

[wheel]

SCCA is not waiting until September to make the call on the SM spec tire. Discussions are on-going.

wheel

[Keith Novak]

These aren't rumors Keith. Honda and Toyota are reporting they won't be back to full capacity for a year.

I fully appreciate the situation. I'm dealing with suppliers in the radiation zone too. I personally don't know what exactly is the situation with Toyo, and I'm not going to guess at it half a world away. I do know some companies are shut down because their sub-tier suppliers are affected, not their main production facilities. Others have been able re-source parts or work around other things that impacted them and get back to at least limited production. I'm certainly not making light of the situation but not having someone on site there right now myself, I'm not going to assume I know exactly what Toyo is facing. It's not a one size fits all scenario.

[wheel]

Keith,
There was an SCCA release posted here, by Jim Drago, a member of the CRB. I have posted here, with information about what we know and what we intend for the rest of the season. I am a member of the CRB, as well. If you choose to think of this as " assumptions based on interweb rumors." that's on you. Jim posted it here, before it came out in Fastrack, because he wanted everyone to know that SCCA is on top of the situation, as much as we can be, without going to every warehouse in the country and personally counting each freaking tire. As more information (not rumors) become available, Jim or I will post them and the SCCA response as soon as we can. Of course, posts here are just a courtesy to the SM racers, by two of you, who happen to be on the CRB. The official information won't be out for non-readers of this site, until fastrack comes out around the 20th.
wheel

P.S. I might also point out that Jim posted this, as part of our effort to get the information out even before the official fastrack is published. The old rules forbid any of us (or SMAC members) from posting stuff before the fastrack hits. This is a new policy, and I guarantee it won't last if people don't want it, or if it gets slammed back down our throats.

[Jim Drago]

Is the contract season to season? There is a likely chance they aren't going to be back to capacity for about a year unless they move production to another plant. I doubt Toyo will be able to supply adequately supply the US hobby racing series. Rather than waiting until Dec or Jan to make the call, I think it prudent that by Sept they need enough of a vision going forward that someone else is picked at least for the 2012 season.

The tire contract is for three years, the contract was actually for R888, NOT RA1. It is up at the end of this season. Believe me, the discussions have started a long time ago and we are not waiting until December or January to decide what tire we will be running in January. I would expect an announcement will be made around the Runoffs or before.

Jim

[Bruce Wilson]

Keith,
There was an SCCA release posted here, by Jim Drago, a member of the CRB. I have posted here, with information about what we know and what we intend for the rest of the season. I am a member of the CRB, as well. If you choose to think of this as " assumptions based on interweb rumors." that's on you. Jim posted it here, before it came out in Fastrack, because he wanted everyone to know that SCCA is on top of the situation, as much as we can be, without going to every warehouse in the country and personally counting each freaking tire. As more information (not rumors) become available, Jim or I will post them and the SCCA response as soon as we can. Of course, posts here are just a courtesy to the SM racers, by two of you, who happen to be on the CRB. The official information won't be out for non-readers of this site, until fastrack comes out around the 20th.
wheel

P.S. I might also point out that Jim posted this, as part of our effort to get the information out even before the official fastrack is published. The old rules forbid any of us (or SMAC members) from posting stuff before the fastrack hits. This is a new policy, and I guarantee it won't last if people don't want it, or if it gets slammed back down our throats.

Wheel, I believe Keith was responding to dstevens claim that "There is a likely chance they aren't going to be back to capacity for about a year". I think Keith loves 888s, because he bought my last set

-bw

[wheel]

OK. I'm just a little grouchy.
wheel

[Keith Novak]

OK. I'm just a little grouchy.
wheel

Understandable. I am just responding to when they might get back in production. I’m not selling the SCCA’s assessment of the situation short either. We have multiple suppliers in the area and many people on the ground right now assessing things, including going to every single warehouse and counting every single part. We’re still assessing things day to day, and part by part. I’m merely cautioning against assuming too much at this point.

[wheel]

Keith,
Thanks.
wheel

[FTodaro]

Lets just hope that SCCA and NASA come to the same conclusions on tires. For those of us who run both, it is already difficult enough to accommodate two different car weights, two different restrictor plates. Throw in a different tire, I am going to have to quit my day job to keep up with the chassis changes.

[TreadZone]

Here's the latest information from Toyo!

Toyo’s Sendai plant up to 70% output

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Crain News Service report

SENDAI, Japan (April 18, 2011) — Output at Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. Ltd.’s car tire plant in Sendai is up to 70 percent of capacity and should reach 100 percent in May, the company said.

Output stopped after the earthquake March 11 and has been recovering slowly. Initial production re-started on April 8. As of April 10, output was 40 percent, but that rose to 70 percent on April 12.

“The plan for the future is to step up the rate of operations in stages while responding flexibly to supply and logistical issues, so that by May, operations may resume at full capacity,” Toyo said.

[dstevens]

That's good news but still need to get them out of the country. Freight in and out of Japan is pretty stacked up. WSJ is reporting the US Army Corp of Engineers are over there helping with the transportation infrastructure and have already opened the Sendai airport.

[Terry Whitlock]

Just got off of the phone with the folks at Appalachian Tire and they have zero supply of RA-1's and none are on the water and headed their way. Some folks will not be running at Roebling this weekend due to not having tires. I suspect this condition is typical of what others are experiencing across the US. Anyway the level of urgency regarding a decision appears to have ratched up.

[James York]

Just got off of the phone with the folks at Appalachian Tire and they have zero supply of RA-1's and none are on the water and headed their way. Some folks will not be running at Roebling this weekend due to not having tires. I suspect this condition is typical of what others are experiencing across the US. Anyway the level of urgency regarding a decision appears to have ratched up.

I have had no problem sourcing tires and just took delivery of more last week. Folks might have to check in other places than their preferred provider, but from what I have seen, they are still out there and can be at your door with planning.

[Bruce Wilson]

One vendor I just spoke with has 500 in stock. I'm guessing there are a few other Toyo focused dealers with similarly large stockpiles.

-bw

[Jim Creighton]

This is for SEDiv drivers competing in the SARRC & ECR series.

I have asked the National office for assistance in locating RA1's for our SARRC/ECR series drivers. With 9 races scheduled in the next month, we are aware that some of you will need tires. If no RA's can be located for you to purchase, we will consider allowing the R888 for the series races. However, I want to make certain that no RA1's can be located for you to buy before any change is made.

We will make the decision ASAP and I will post it. If an alternate tire is approved, we will make certain the race rules are amended to allow it.

There will be no change for the race scheduled this weekend at Roebling Road.

I just checked and Treadzone has RA 1's in stock. You can order and have them sent to Roebling Road for this weekend.

Edit added at 7 PM EDST 4-27-11 Based on the release from SCCA today, R888 tires are compliant at the race this weekend at Roebling Road. We will make a decision later how long R888 can used. It will be dependent on the time it takes to restock all suppliers with the RA 1. My initial feeling is that we allow the R888 through the 2011 SIC. I hope everyone will continue to support the SARRC & ECR series and will join us at the big July 4th Double SARRC/Double ECR at Roebling Road and the SIC in October.

[dstevens]

The Japanese transport ministry is reporting some activity at the damaged ports. As of last week dockings in the northeast were down 90% and only 35% of the berths were operational. Additionally four of the big lines have a wider exclusion zone due to the Fukushima radiation leaks.

http://af.reuters.co...E7FJ0ZR20110419