Which R-comps for next season?

[cjwsrt]

The 195-15 R1R are the gold standard if you're going to run street tires. Nothing else is even close.

http://scca.cdn.racersites.com/prod/assets/12-fastrack-july-solo.pdf

Guys read this page. As of 2013 that particular tire and size will not be eligable in ST class. If i read it wrong im sorry for the scare, but page 1 at the bottom

[rodhx]

So much so that that particular size Toyo may very well be on the exclusion list starting next year, so buyer beware.

[SamC]

I'm running esp. But need 18in tires. What's better, toyos or rs3? Toyos are cheaper.

[YoursTruly]

Look also for "freshness". Tire rack hasn't had a new shipment of Kumhos for a while and some of their stock is literally 3 years old.

The kooks are decent and hold up well but at the expense of grip. IF you're going to spend the money for grip wouldn't it be nice to have all you can get?

On a 6" rim go with the 205 for less weight. You'll use all of the tread of a 205 whereas the 225 on a 6" rim will physically fit, the shoulders will be off the ground most of the time. There's no need to pay for a wider tire if you only use 80% of the contact patch.

If you want to try 225's A6's I have a used set for sale for cheap.

I will keep that in mind. I am still not at a nationally competitive skill level, so I am looking for more grip than my current setup, but I am not going to break the bank just to get that last bit of grip. At least, not yet. That is great observation about the contact patch, I might have to keep the small size if I don't end up buying some used meats. Pm'ed for tires.

Hoosier will get you fantastic grip for 10-25 runs, great grip for 30-50 runs, Hankook grip for 50-60 runs and decline from there.

Darryl has had great life span on his 275's

That sounds like plenty of life for a season. I don't want to buy a new set of tires and replace them within the year.

An alignment that will get the most grip and life out of Hoosiers will leave a lot to be desired on the street in fact it might even be a little dangerous.

What shocks do you have on your car?

I want new race tires because my all-seasons are nearing death. I can put my current UHP summer tires on my street rims and get some proper road-velcro for my autocross rims. I should be okay no matter what alignment I have. I drive another car daily.

I am running Koni Yellow's and hopefully my 1.125" ARB will be arriving soon.

You could also look at past use of people that have Rcomps and people that use low treadwear (Hankook RS-3, Toyo, etc). John Waight sometimes run quicker on his Toyo's then with the Rcomps.

There are MANY ways to get a tire soft. Our surface is not exceptional. So there are ways to cheat it. There are rubber softeners out there, that Karting guys, dirt track guys, and many road racers use.

My opinion would be, get a durometer. Test your tires. Go to Darryl's tires before he runs and see what the durometer of his A6's are. Go to the Webb's and see what theres are. Then go to Rod's tires and see what the durometer says on his RS-3's. Write all of that down. That will give you a good idea of what the "real" softness of each tire is, as opposed to the treadwear rating (which is really just a number that companies use to rate their tire).

Then look at companies like this http://www.hdmworld.com/tirepreps.htm and you could potentially get a "140 to 200" treadwear tire to be as 'soft' as a "0 to 40" treadwear R comp for way less money.

I used to race R/C cars and I sauced my tires all the time. They got to the point of feeling like chewing gum. I will definitely check this out.

Have two sets of Hoosier A6 225-45-15 for sale. One set has 4 heat cycles, the other 3. $200/set. Chuck

PM'ed

On a 15x6 rim I would get Toyo R1R 195/50-15s and be done with it. Just look at the ST and STS times at any national event and you will see how good these tires are. So good that the SCCA is thinking about banning them next year.

195 is more than enough for a 6" rim. The ST guys run that size on 7.5" rims. Street tires don't benefit from going wider the way r-comps with their cantilevered sidewall do; they just get numb and difficult to control at the limit.

I would prefer to not buy a tire that could be banned soon. Hmm.. so wider isn't always better. I didn't know that.

[ZX3Focus]

I think they're considering banning the R1R for ST class - they'd still be good to go for C Stock.

[Cholewa]

Just don't race in ST with the tires

I might have to buy some of those for the volvo if I ever get around to giving a damn.

[JohnW8]

I thought when a tire was placed on the banned list it was banned from any and all SCCA competition.

(edit) it appears this is a ST ban only.

[cjwsrt]

I think they're considering banning the R1R for ST class - they'd still be good to go for C Stock.

Yes, that tire and size is banned just for ST classes, it is not banned overall. It can still be used in regular class

[rodhx]

Yes, that tire and size is banned just for ST classes, it is not banned overall. It can still be used in regular class

For 2012 it can still be used in Street Touring. The July Fastrack contained the proposal to place 195/50-15 R1R on the Street Touring exclusion list. Comments on the proposal have been requested. If the proposal is approved, the tire would be excluded beginning 1/1/13....and I would have a set of grippy tires I can only use on the street

[Cholewa]

For 2012 it can still be used in Street Touring. The July Fastrack contained the proposal to place 195/50-15 R1R on the Street Touring exclusion list. Comments on the proposal have been requested. If the proposal is approved, the tire would be excluded beginning 1/1/13....and I would have a set of grippy tires I can only use on the street

if they ban them i'll buy them from you for the volvo

[chuck schultz]

rubber softeners

Be careful.

IIRC, it may be legal to use something like Formula V Traction Treatment to fight the effects of heat cycles, but not to use other types of chemicals to soften the tires initially. YMMV, etc.

[kilgojr]

Be careful.

IIRC, it may be legal to use something like Formula V Traction Treatment to fight the effects of heat cycles, but not to use other types of chemicals to soften the tires initially. YMMV, etc.

I don't see anything in the rulebook stating that rubber softeners are prohibited.

[rodhx]

I don't see anything in the rulebook stating that rubber softeners are prohibited.

Now John, you know better than that. Everyone repeat after me..."if it doesn't say you can, then you cannot"

just couldn't resist

[kilgojr]

Now John, you know better than that. Everyone repeat after me..."if it doesn't say you can, then you cannot"

just couldn't resist

I know that the Modified guys use them, because that is where I found out about the plethora of softeners and mixing them, etc.

[chuck schultz]

Here's what I wrote, this morning, but couldn't post, for some reason -

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The old saying is that "If it doesn't say you can, you can't. . ."

Check with folks with more direct experience than me, but I seem to recall this being a point of discussion on team.net years ago. There's probably a thread about this somewhere on the national Solo forums.

Yes, I know, mentioning team.net and saying years ago in the same sentence is redundant, even though the reflector does still exist.

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I've been looking around since I got home, and here's something I found on the GRM forum. This is an angle I hadn't thought about. -
Tire softening or soaking is without a doubt the most harmful thing to race tracks. It leaves a petroleum based product on the surface, later the rain removes the asphalt ( black tar like stuff) right the surface. This in turn, leaves the rock in the pavement,up at the top of the surface, now you're trying to grip little spots, instead of a smooth surface. Many track surfaces have been ruined unknowingly, to most, trying to save a buck. I know this first hand, I am guilty of this for many years. Now I know better. If I had my way , I would outlaw all softeners or soaking activities. Probably not good for your heath anyway!!