[RS25.com]

What I don't understand is why, in the Stock class, you can run racing compound tires. I think that prevents people from entering with "stock" cars because all the sudden you have to go out and spend $400 (or more) on some Hoosiers or Kuhmos, and another $400 (or more) for a second set of rims. Everyone knows a good set of tires is one of the most important modifications you can make to your car.

But, that leaves the "little guy" out. And to me, that kind of defeats the whole purpose of the SCCA. All the sudden you have to be rolling in money to be competitive. It sucks to be beaten by someone who is an equal driver, just because they have some R-Compound tires. Where's the challenge? :curse:

Therefore, in my opinion, it's not a skill-based competition in the stock class - it's all about who has more money to buy better equipment. I thought that was what all these STR and STX classes were for - people who can afford to mod their cars.

Sorry, just venting....

 

[Mike M]

Therefore, in my opinion, it's not a skill-based competition in the stock class - it's all about who has more money to buy better equipment.

James, James, James....don't you know that this is the oldest story in racing? Yeah, it still sucks, but the guys with the most money tend to be the guys that go fastest!

I agree to an extent, but obviously the ability to run R-compound tires isn't killing Solo II or anything. Until there is a huge drop-off in stock class participation, I wouldn't be looking for that rule to change.

(Oh yeah...R compound tires rule! I had some for my old BMW, and they make all the difference in the world!)

 

[rpone605]

also the rcompound tires for stock class have to be a dot approved tire...so technically you could run it on the street.

 

[RS25.com]

Man, I am just getting hammered here AND on the RmSolo list on this issue!

I give up! :lol:

 

[Roy Dean]

Quit crying and buy some race rubber. If you're on a budget, get A032Rs (yes, they are just as expensive, but they last twice as long). Thats the nature of the sport. You dont see the honda guys whining at the drag strip that we have AWD, do you?

--Roy

PS... yeah, ok, the honda guys do whine about awd at the strip....

 

[Roy Dean]

Oh, btw...

For the mony you spent on your 4eat as an option, you could've bought 2 sets of r-compounds... :lol:

 

[RS25.com]

Bite me!

Actually, I HAD to get the 4EAT - I have carpal tunnel and I simply cannot shift - it's too painful.

But the Yokohama's are one of the options I am looking at.

Wish there was more feedback about different tires that was actually measurable... like traction and whatnot. Tirerack is good, but the Hoosiers have no feedback.

 

[Mike M]

Oh, btw...

For the mony you spent on your 4eat as an option, you could've bought 2 sets of r-compounds... :lol:

Ouch! :boxer: Now that's just brutal... :lol:

 

[Storm]

So just pray for rain! It's possible to stay really close without race tires, you just have to drive that much better.

If there's any roadcourse near you, I suggest you start networking with racers who run tires in your size. Chances are you can find a set of decent used tires ultra cheap to get you through part of a season or longer. Look for flatspots, damage, etc...

Most of all...quitcherbitchin. :biggest: You can low-buck your way into race tires and wheels with some effort. Steel wheels roll pretty good too!

 

[RS25.com]

But I LIKE to complain! :lol:

 

[Storm]

Oh...sorry 'bout that.... Complain away.

:stinky: :flame: :barf: :run: :happynow:

 

[xMetal]

the A032R is a great tire if you need to drive around normally as well.

I've had them on my ITR for almost a full season of racing, plus several thousand miles of street driving and they still have plenty of life in them.

They are quite grippy, not quite as grippy as the Kumho V700 (which I also have) but they work quite well.

Only drawbacks are:

1.) THEY ARE FREAKING LOUD AS ALL HELL

They drone like you wouldn't believe. Though my car is so loud anyways it doesn't much matter.

2.) They do tend to tramline a bit. Gotta keep an eye on things when the road is rutted.

3.) Wet traction is merely OK. I wouldn't really want to dirve through a thunderstorm on the freeway.

Other than that they are great. You might also consider something like the Falken Azenis. Close to R compounds, sort of, but cheap and longer lasting.

 

[RS25.com]

Thanks for the tips. I was looking for a set of rims, and bought some from MrMajestic, but he took them back because he wrecked his car and the insurance company wanted them.

So right now I am stuck with no extra rims. When I get caught up financially I will get another set of rims and then probably the Kuhmos or Hoosiers. I looked at the Yokahama and Falkens, and they are strong contenders, depending on how much money I have to spend.

 

[10th Warrior]

i'll never go back to street tires for racing. R is the only way to go. personally, i'm glad that they are allowed in stock classes. anyone who cares enough about auto-x will get a set, and the people who just pop by occasionally won't. what's the big deal. its not like you'd want to be forced to run on re92s. a good set of street tires is going to cost the same, and you'll still need a second set of tires/rims for winter. if you can't afford new race tires (like me) buy them used for much cheaper. of course, the savings all went to drinks, food, and gas when i picked them up

They drone like you wouldn't believe.

try rally tires. by 30mph, it sounds like you have a turbine straped to the car. on gravel, they're even louder because they kick up so much crap. but ohhhh, the grip

it's all about who has more money to buy
better equipment

hmm, i have no problem getting beat by other people with r-compounds. its that they are better drivers. its a poor musician that blaims his instrument.

oh, STX is street tires.

 

[Roy Dean]

AO32R's are AWESOME in the rain! as long as you have at least 1/2 the tread depth, you can go like stink! At my first track event ever (an EMRA time trial at Watkins Glen), it was threatening to rain.... the only guys willing to go for it were the A032 guys (I admit, I was scared.... but it never did rain). Since then I have done a tone of REALLY wet weather driving and they are phenominal in the water!

--Roy

 

[subrew]

It is hard to get around the cost of extra wheels, but...you can pick-up used race tires from top guys in your region for pretty cheap. I ran a set of half used Kumho all last year that cost me $200 for all four. I ran 20 plus event, and still have a little life left on them.

I finally upgraded to two new Kumho Ecsta for the front, since I'm running more national level event this year.

Since I'm usually one of the only 2.5RS running in g-stock at most events, I usually get asked why I'm not running STS. Well, I don't have the money! I figure I have about $1000 in new wheels, new tires, used KYB AGX struts, homebuilt exhaust, air filter etc. If I wanted to convert my car to be nationally competitive in STS, I would need to spend 4 to 5 times that. Even more considering the top STS guys are now running DMS 50s or Ledas.

Perhaps having to run on R tires bites for local events, but at a national level, where the class gets filled with equally R compound shod vehicles, there is some skill required, both driving and in setup.

Chris H.
www.subrew.com

 

[RS25.com]

Chris,

Your site says the Hoosier tires rub in a big way on the back of the RS. I'm running stock class, so how much do these rub? Can a 1/4" spacer fix that?

Lemme know....

 

[subrew]

With my current 225/50-16 Kumhos, I rub the strut body and lower spring perch slightly, on high grip concrete surfaces. I barely rub the fender lip molding, but not much anymore.

This is on a stock ride height RS, but with KYB AGX struts, which helps keep the rear from squating and rolling as much. With stock struts, the problem would be worse. With lower ride height, the rubbing on the fender will be worse.

A spacer would help to eliminate the rubbing on the strut, but make the fender rubbing worse.

The Hoosiers are wider than the Kumhos, by a couple tenths of an inch. So, naturally, the rubbing on all three places is worse, if the wheel/tire can even be mounted.

Kumho has a new 205/45-16 size in the new Ecsta design R tire. This shoul dhave no fitment problems, but will affect the gearing. I also heard a rumor that Hoosier will be producing a 215/45-16 autocross tire.

Hope this helps,

Chris H.
www.subrew.com

 

[RS25.com]

Thanks for the info Chris.

BTW, your web site is VERY nice. Wanna re-do my graphics?

For free? :lol:

 

[10th Warrior]

Kumho has a new 205/45-16 size in the new Ecsta design R tire. This shoul dhave no fitment problems, but will affect the gearing.

in fact this is the case. there is a guy here running that size tire. it fits fine as one would expect and he does accelerate a bit quicker and will actually need to shift into third in places where i'm able to bounce off the rev-limiter a couple of times.