THSCC Forums

Just to keep this thread alive
OK, Miles, which tires do you define as "street tires"? Last I knew, Kumho V700's were DOT-Approved street-legal tires. You could get an inspection sticker with them! Are they really street tires?

Would only slicks would be considered "Race Tires"?

Why try to fix what's not broken? Current Solo rules define tire legality pretty well, I think. Only the recent availability of super-soft HP tires has blurred the lines and basically made Street-Tire Class a bit of a joke. Serious ST competitors run soft-compound tires, your so-called "cheater tires", and basically take advantage of the rules. These latest HP tires defeat the intentions SCCA had when they developed the ST class. The difference between Kumho V700's and the grippiest so-called street tires is probably pretty small right now.

So... maybe we just eliminate Street Tire classes and get everyone into Open Class. Competitors can then choose to run on fairly inexpensive "cheaters" or more expensive "race" tires. An analysis of this year's results comparing Open cars presumably running on "race" tires and serious ST-classed cars shod with Azenis might reveal a lot about the closeness of competitive times.

Then again, maybe I'm FOS.

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Brad

Brad,

Good questions. I don't have a dog in this fight, but one comment: Tires are a moving target. Whatever we do from a "rules" perspective must recognize that new "fast but cheap" tires will show up frequently. So will "even faster and NOT cheap" tires.

FYI I have been autocrossing seriously since about 1976. I ran on DOT tires until I got the Formula Ford in 1991. The problem of "special" competition oriented tires existed in 1976. This is an old and never ending problem.

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Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

OK, Jim, I've been convinced.

If I were to run TIR this coming season, I would be defeating the purpose of a street tire class by keeping my stock rims and getting Azenis, although I have upgraded my struts to Konis. Technically legal to keep GS pax, but it just isn't right IMHO. Also, I just swapped out my dead rubber rear bushings with poly ones which kicks me right out of GS and into STS.

So you can take all of my original thoughts in the ten page thread with a grain of salt -- I do believe that if you have blingified your vehicle and have the original tires on your original wheels, that's ok to go ahead and run the JV street tire. But as soon as you purchase JP's so called ringer tires to win in that class, you're defeating it's purpose.

That being said, I'm looking forward to getting whipped on in STS next year. It'll be fun and allow me to do little, relatively inexpensive suspension adjustments that will make my grocery-getter handle a lot better than it currently does.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

Ok, I think I have a solution to all of this...

Ban Tires!

If all tires are banned then there can not be a arguement about them. But then I bet people will start using those special rubber Race Rotors or hubs...

I am thinking that aluminum wheels probably have better grip than steel.

Oh, my god. I am helping to keep this thread alive....

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

But steel might last longer. Possibly get a full season out of one set of rims!

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In need of car.

So we need a "Steel" class for those that don't want to buy softer metal wheels. Are there any “cheater” steel wheels out there that we should ban?

I think that Asphalt will be the preferred surface as you might be able to "dig in" more while cornering than you could with concrete (as long as you don’t dig in enough to roll over). Expansion joints on concrete might be a bit scary if you catch them just right during a drift.

Also I don't think the existing PAX values is going to work. Especially for the higher HP cars. Can you say “wheelspin”?

And I thought watching sparks from corded tires on the night events was fun! This should be quite a show when the sun goes down!

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

Bah, you could fix that by putting bolts in the wheels or cutting teeth into them.

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In need of car.

As long as you admit to it and go ahead and classify yourself as Tire Mod. . . or Rim Mod.

That doesn't sound like a very good class to be in.

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Not spectacular just decent.
I'm not sure what I'm driving.
Maybe an ITR in DS.
Or half-assed STX prepped 330.

New THSCC rule....

"Please replace your divets after each run"

Please God, let me stop posting to this thread.

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

Anyone know where I can get a set of these for the Integra?

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Stephen Westerfield
2009 Infiniti M35 | 2007 Honda Fit Sport | 2005 Ford Mustang GT |2000 GMC Sierra |1992 Acura Integra LS | Super Westerfield Bros Acura Integra

well if we ban tires we might as well ban asphalt or anyother hard surface... or hey let's just ban cars all together... sorry had to...LOL reading this thread was like a rollercoaster. and I don't have any room to stand on this issue cause I'm runnin wal-mart purchased uniroyals..LOL (ok so I'm cheap) LOL

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beware of EV powered Ford EXP's they are quiet and come for you when you least expect it... hide behind an aluminum light pole...... ya that will help