PCA SDR

I was looking at the new RA-1's and saw that they had a tread rating of 100 on the side, up from 40. Under the Street Stock classes you are allowed to run any tire with a treadwear of 100 or higher (unless I am missing something). Would I still be able to run in GSS if I raced the RA-1's? Thank's for the help and I hope to see everyone out there on the 11th and 12th.

-Andrew

No they are not legal in S/S

Here is the exact wording from the Z-8 rules document:

“R” or “C” compound, high performance street tires such as

Yokohama A008RS or BF Goodrich Comp T/A R1, etc.,

or any soft compound high performance tires, or tires with a:

DOT tread wear rating of 49 or less. 4-points

DOT tread wear rating of 50-99. 2-points

Note: “R” and “C” rated tires and race tire points are in addition

to points under Section III, Para. A.

The rule states, "Any soft compound high performance tire". This statement is in the rules to eliminate use of tires like the RA-1's that have the treadwear "modified" to fit a class.

The 2005 rules will most likely name these tires specifically as an illegal tire for s/s. In short, if is says "R" in the model name it is not legal. If it was not specifically named, it would be legal just not fair.

Steve Grosekemper
PCA-SDR Rules chair

Though the certainly do not belong in SS class, I will say that the 100 rating (changed) on the RA-1's is about right. As a personal endorsement that are great tires, very sticky, and have a very loooooooog life (as far as race tires go). They last much longer and are more consistant than the Khumos. Great value!

Thanks for your responses guys. I will just have to keep looking for other ways to beat Tom
-Andrew

Hey Andy,
Maybe I could help you beat Tom?.............I've had a little seat time in the 944 model.
Speed costs money.....how fast do you want to go? That's what they say.

As far as the tires go, I'm with Steve and Dave. They should be illegal in S/S class, but they are great tires. I got John "Torture" Chambers to try them out at the Tecate Grand Prix last weekend and he said they were "bitchin!" He was running the Kumhos before that.
I look forward to seeing you at the stadium for the AX and DE. I'll be there, probably, with the new red Enduro 944-spec car. It's getting a quieter muffler this Friday.
TC

I seem to remember that one of the 944 Spec guys had posted a source for purchasing shaved Toyo's. I'm thinking of buying a set for Spring Mountain, and would appreciate help in finding a good source. Thanks, Carl

Carl, your two choices are Chapman (Phoenix) or Vilven (Royal, IL). They are the only ones that carry RA-1 and provide shaving. Vilven is 800-251-0017 and I cant seem to put my hands on Chapman's number (Tim, little help here?). Personally, I go with Chapman because they are closer (shipping time) and because they bring tires to most of our events and really support Socal motorsports. That plus Vilven screwed up my last two orders. Anyway, just my $.02

Tim,
You have driven a 944 before . You are really representing our cars well at the auto-x events. I will definitely talk to you during the next race. I have made a couple of mild changes to the car that should knock a little time off but there are still a lot of "free" or close to free modifications I have yet to take advantage of. As far as beating Tom, that would be great but I would much rather just go out there and have a good time while not spiraling down the money pit of a true race car enthusiast (yet!). Oh, and congrats on the new addition.

-Andrew

Chapman BMW: 480.949.7600
Ask for Bryan Shackleford

There are specially designated TOYO TIRES Motorsports dealers for 2004.
Here's a link off the NASA website which lists them.

http://veloce.nasaproracing.com/news/toyo_dealers.pdf

Personally, I would look no further than at Chapman BMW. Bryan's good people and as Dave says, he supports us well at the events. Carl, if you contact him, please tell him Tim "with the green wheels" sent you...so I can get some brownie points. I never have collected enough of those to actually get some brownies............. I like brownies.

Also, you'll get quicker service if you call the business cell phone at 480.694.1797.
Shipping is $8 per tire, usually getting here in 2 days. Bryan even ships my tires right to Black Forest for me. How nice is that?

Also, I know from personal experience that shaved tires on my car, me driving, at AMP in Phoenix were 3 seconds faster than new unshaved tires!
At your service,
TC
3:00 pm -Late breaking news: Bryan has been recalled for duty in Iraq. Dustin has been working with him for 7 years and will now handle the tire orders.

Andrew,
Thanks for the kind words and the congrats. I'll see you there. Look for the big red E Z UP and pit with us.

I purchased a set of Toyo RA1s when my regular Kuhmos were temporarily out of stock. The dealer told me no shaving was necessary. Do you know something I (they) don't? Let me know -- although by now I've probably "track-shaved" the set I currently have.

Thanks.

Well,..............I try to be helpful and I would hate to sound arrogant, but I have empirical evidence that proves shaving makes a big difference.
Same car
same day
same driver
same tire pressure
back to back sessions.
The new shaved TOYO 225/50/15's were 3 seconds faster than the new UNshaved ones. It's because the tread blocks "squirm" less under load. I took the time to educate myself at the TOYO TIRES website and by talking to the tire technicians at the tracks.

Perhaps your dealer didn't have tire shaving capabilities and so down played its importance? Just guessing on that one.....
You can wear them down by driving, but the tire will experience a very different heat cycle history, so that when you get them down to the "sweet spot" level(about 4/32's), they'll grip less than a new tire shaved down to about 4/32's. Make sense? Hope this helps....

Hard to beat the empirical evidence -- and you're right the local dealer (who shall remain nameless for now) doesn't have shaving capabilities.

Jack Miller has been raving about Toyos for a long time. Does anybody know if he shaves his (-- tires that is)?

Tim is correct about the squirm factor.
This applies to any tire not just the RA-1's
Non-shaved tires will also heat up much faster-too fast in many cases. This may be an advantage at a cold winter AX on a 914 but not an RSA or 944 on a real track.

Squirmy blocks are like rubbin' two sticks together...heat, heat , heat.

The bigger the block the less heat that will be generated.

Falken Azenis - low heat
Yoko AVS - lots of heat