Tires

Tim M

Tim M

PRESIDENT, Member # 015
GCC Member
Location
St. Charles
First Name
Tim
Last Name
Mauldin
Well, I've stepped in to the arena of buying some race tires. I bought Dave's old tires and wheels. Hoosier, R6, 275/40 R17; Treadwear rating of 040, Traction C, Temp A. Looking at Hoosier's Website, I found the following - https://www.hoosiertire.com/Tctips.htm

- What can I expect out of these tires? (in terms of wear and grip)
- Do Racing tires put undue stress on suspension parts? (in other words, what may I break?)
- Do I really need to pay attention to tire temps now? (This is where I think the scales may be handy)
- The website provides different tire pressures hot and cold for different weight cars. Dave mentioned he typically ran them at 26lbs (I don't know if that is hot or cold temp) It appears a proper cold temp pressure for my car will be 27 or so. Thoughts?

So looking forward to Putnam in April to try these out. :D

Can anyone identify the manufacturer of the wheels? Craig, I believe you have the polished version?
 
They are reproductions of the FR500 rims. The production race car that Ford makes, you can order from your dealer.

The Ford GT's are more like the Shelby GT500 rims.
 
Weakest Link

Tim
With street tires, they are the weakest link - can't generate enough grip. When that improves, the link may change. Depending configuration of the car, if you hit it hard enough (drag racing), the next weakest link is the rear end or clutch.

I doubt the racing tires will give you enough traction to create those problems, I am referring to racing slicks and on a properly prepared strip. With that said, as I recall, you are running a Ford 8.8 rearend? it isn't bullet proof like the 9" Don't know if it or maybe the rear suspension bushings/arms may come unglued.

with better grip, you will begin to notice suspension glitches and bumpsteer issues (if they are present). The better the tires coefficient, the more critical the car setup becomes.

You'll also notice the better grip will increase the pucker factor - you can get into bigger trouble quicker !

Paul
 
Thanks Paul. I'm also hearing that these kinds of tires will not give warning prior to breaking loose. Sounds like fun :eek: :D According to Steve, Putnam is a track to try new tires out :D
 
To further this tire discussion - I often wonder how the old timers did so well. Their cars had less power, and their components were not as advanced as ours. As an example this picture. His tires are very small, bias ply - yet I'll bet he would woop our butts even today. Seriously - How? Why? Did they break axles, rear ends?

Help me understand. Help me learn.
It's the driver - isn't it?
Wish I could drive like this.

11880Macd1.jpg
 
You see how the back end is kicked out? They were the original drifters :D Seriously, though, most old films I see and NASCAR driver's I hear talk, they do say they had to drift the cars through the turns. As for the equipment, I often wonder how many rear ends broke, or ball joints failed, or control arms that bent? Probably not many because of cause and effect. Because the tires didn't grip as well, the effect wasn't as hard on the suspension parts.? :confused:
 
That is a great point. If the driver understands how to get the line they will outdrive an inexperienced driver anyday of the week. I always wanted to get Dean or one of the other guys in my car to see what it could really do with a good driver.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top