Going to go road racing... Tire?
 

Ok a questionfo rthe racing guys here... I just got hitched with the DFW group for a weekend of road racing at motorsports ranch and I'm in a quandry as far as what to do about tires.

Options

A) street tires: I have a set of Toyo Proxies that I could run. I know I'd be slower on them than race tires, but since this is also my 1st road race event I kinda like the idea of how street tires give slowly rather than the stick, stick, no stick OH CRAP tendancies of race tires. I don't know how well they would hold up though, or how they'd do in general.

B) Race tires. I Have some 13x8 diamond racing wheels I use for autocross. Currently they have some Hoosier AS303's mounted on them with a couple AutoX's already. I'm assuming those would last like 5 minutes on a road course right? I also might have a hook up on some race tires off the front of a Formula Mazda race car (which happen to run 13x8 rims) What should I expect from these??

Or should I just try to scrounge up the $400 for a set of Kuhmo V700's. (this would probably be followed by a month of Ramen and some such adventures, so this isn't preferred...)


FYI, The car is an 85 GSL-SE with CC plates, coilovers illuminas etc etc etc... And hopefully my RB streetport system will be installed by then.

Kumho's or Toyo RA1's are probably your best bet. As303's will just overheat and melt in no time, save them for the auto-x. the street tires will probably do the same, they will overheat and start to chunk unless the tread is shaved or worn very low. both Toyo's and Kumho's should last several events and might be able to pull double duty auto-xing. slicks will need a totaly different setup to the car and may wear prematurely without a good setup.

hmm.. doesn't look like the Toyo Ra 1's come in a size to fit on my 13x8's... If I'm going to get race tires, they might was well go on my race rims right?

I just know this hobby is going to get expensive :)

If it is your first track event, the race with the street tires. They give you plenty of warning when they are unhappy. Plus you need to make sure this is a hobby you want to keep up with. It gets expensive quick with tires, brakes, enttry fees, etc.

Also your instructor should not let you drive past the limits of the street tires. Your goal is to learn the line and smoothness.

-Mark

racing is an addiction and everything cost money. with your auto-xing experience you will be wanting the R compound tires. street tires when pushed hard in high ambiant temps tend to chunk easily unless the tread is shaved or worn low. Texas Motorsports Ranch in the summer is going to be hot! have fun and hope to see you at the track.

I'd go with street tires for now.

PaulC

If you can scrounge a set of scrubbed V700s, then I'd go that route...otherwise, I concur with the group, that the Toyo Proxies will be a better choice over using the Hoosier A3S03s...I'd be relunctant to use Hoosier R3S03s in Texas...probably will have better and more consistent tire performance from a harder compound like a Toyo RA-1...

If you can find a way to fit 225/50/16 on your car, I can loan you a set of half worn V700's. I am sure that isn't possible though.

Have you spoke with Tim Schuh? Maybe he has an old set hanging around you can get cheap.

225/50/16 would look like monster truck tires, but thanks Damon

I'll ask Tim this weekend, but last I knew he was out of race tires at the end of last year and just some a set of V700's this year. so I doubt he's got any lying around... Wheels, yes, tires no... Esp since he's got a kid now, I doubt he's been stocking up on stuff...

I've also got a set of used V700's (245/45 16's) mounted on stock FD wheels sitting around. It's been a couple of months since I last used them ... they are getting a little hard, but I do have some tire treatment as well (probably don't want to put too much on though). I don't think the 5-bolt 16's work on 2nd gen's. But, if you find spacers or something that will allow them to mount, you're welcome to try. :)

nope.. won't work. I'm running a 4x114.3 1st gen :) Thanks though... You going to be running out at MSR as well?

Don't even think about trying to use street tires. They will be destroyed.

Not true! I've run several event on Yok AVS sports and the wear was minimal (and I don't drive slow)! And it seems like half of the events are held in the rain...

I strongly encourage yuo to run street tires for several events. When you can get them to howl in all but straight lines, you're ready for slicks. Many road racers will corroborate that statement.

Gene

Well maybe you just don't drive hard enough then :) I saw someone demolish a set of new tires in about 30 laps.

in the rain and cool ambiant temps found in washington you could get away with street tires, but in the heat of summer in Texas the street tires would overheat and chunk apart before lunch time. unless the driver is a complete novice and is taking a driving school I would recommend the r compound DOT tires or shaved to the wear bars street tires. full tread tires will be ruined after one weekend if they make it that long. I have also seen street tires ruined in less than 30 laps on more than one occasion.

Alright.. solved my dilema the expensive way...

I've got a set of Kumho Ecsta V700's 235/45/13 headed my way, as well as some HP+ pads...

That outta cover me for the day, and hopfully a few autocrosses after that.

Think I can wear out everything left of my Hoosiers this sunday at the autoX? Only one way to find out!

Really? Well, I'm typically among the fastest 95% of cars on a given track during driver's events. I typically reach 150 on the back straight at Road Atlanta and 145 at VIR. No slouch in the corners either (e.g., flat out in turn 1 at RA).

Should qualify that, ideally, street tires should be shaved. Also, alignment is very critical.

Gene

Gene,

Do you run 285/30-18 AVS Sports on your 10 x 18 CCWs?

I'm running 255/40-17 AVS Intermediates on 9 x 17 SSR Integral A2s, and have been fairly impressed with them thus far (they're worn down to 6/32nds). I've been running the AVSes during the summer open-track events to keep from "cooking" my Hoosier R3S03s with track temps in the 130 F range!

I really need to get back to Road Atlanta...miss that Bridge Turn:eek:

No- right now I'm using BFG R1-As. I got one of the last sets from Tire Rack at $98 per tire! I run the AVS Sports on the IFGs.

AVS intermediates are great! I'd do the same re: Hoosiers, especially "down South" (can say that now that I'm in Seattle) :)

Road Atlanta is so staisfying when you get it right- and downright scary when you don't. After our 3rd driver's school or so, my wife made the comment that road racing was a lot like golf. Feels great when you hit the right line, but difficult to do repeatedly...even when you always play the same hole/course. That's a great analogy, IMO, as it seems I always follow a nice "drive" by a "shanker" !

Gene
gENE

IFG wheels
 

Yeah that's a stunning deal on the R1-As...I ran a set in 245/45-16 R1-As on 8.5 x 16 Kosei K1 Racing, before switching to Hoosier R3S03s in 245/45-17 on 8.5 wide (fr)//275/40-17 on 9.5 wide (rr) SSR Competitions.

What size IFG wheels are you running? What offsets? I heard these were very good road/track wheels (light and strong), but pricey?

FWIW I'll be instructing for Todd Serota's TracQuest Mid Ohio DE August 13/14. I'll probably have the AVS Intermediates on out there, to save the Hoosiers for a possible Sept/Oct DE at Road Atlanta:cool:

They should do the PRO7's in NZ run 13x7's with a RA-1 Control Tyre (205/60VR 13) 205's will mount on a 8 inch rim if you have to

Re: IFG wheels
 

I'm using 17x9 all around with 45mm offset front and 40mm offset rear. Great wheels- forged and 17.5 lbs each. I think they were $350 each. Unfortunately, IFG is out of business!

Have fun at at Mid Ohio and RA!

Gene

Falken Azenis Sport. Meets SCCA road specs.