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ClintB#1

· I AM THE MOFREAKINGMAN!
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Discussion starter · #1 ·
what does everyone recommend? im tired of getting caught with
my pants down so to speak when it rains at the track and all i got
are my low/no tread dry condition r-compounds. I was thinking
the Kuhmo victoracers V700's at full tread depth might be a good
option, but more input would be nice:thumbup:
 
Hoosier DOT wets. Godlike to the point that you'll be able to run a dry line in many circumstances.

Don't get caught for long on a drying track, tho.

That said...

What tires do you run now? What's wrong with them?
 
He's on shaved NT-01s now as I recall.
 
Most of the fast guys are running the Hoosier Dirt Stockers. Very soft and very sticky in the wet. These were very popular before Hoosier started making the tire above. Other than that the rest of us are running the Toyo RA-1's at full tread depth for rains. For the most part any full tread r-compound should work.

Chris
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
i wanted to run full tread depth RA-1's but they dont make it in 225/45/17,
Full tread V700's seem like a good choice too, and they come in 225/45/17.
The hoosier wets are just not cost effective for me. I only have so much $
 
^^ We Jeffs think alike
 
^^^That's gonna put him into the Hoosier wet's price bracket.^^^

RA-1's are as old as the hills and they're still relatively pricey!
 
tophe7d said:
For the most part any full tread r-compound should work.
Well, that depends on your definition of "work," y'know? I got full tread RA1s to 'work' reasonably well in a soaking wet enduro, but was getting my ass handed to me by the three cars that were running the Hoosiers (and only them).

And while we're talking, it's probably worth getting the OP's reasons / criteria here. Are you looking for a tire for heavy rain, as in standing water? Or are you looking for a tire that will work on a damp track?

'Cause if you just want tires for a damp track, then your primary concern is with soft rubber that heats up easily. In a pinch, drop a coupla few pounds out of your Nittos - you get more flex, generating more heat; and you get the added benefit of a softer spring rate, slower reactions, and a rounder/gentler transition between grip and no grip. These are all good things in the wet. Don't worry about some rain-looking tread pattern on a damp track - you're looking for maximum rubber contact here.

In heavy standing water, it's all the above plus a water-moving tread pattern.

What are ya after, man? What triggered the question in the first place? Sounds like you weather sissies got a little wet at the last event, and that may have scared you...;)
 
JCMRacing #37 said:
^^^That's gonna put him into the Hoosier wet's price bracket.^^^

RA-1's are as old as the hills and they're still relatively pricey!
:what:

Toyo's priced out at ~$165 vs. Hoosier's $230

seanmc said:
'Cause if you just want tires for a damp track, then your primary concern is with soft rubber that heats up easily. In a pinch, drop a coupla few pounds out of your Nittos - you get more flex, generating more heat; and you get the added benefit of a softer spring rate, slower reactions, and a rounder/gentler transition between grip and no grip. These are all good things in the wet. Don't worry about some rain-looking tread pattern on a damp track - you're looking for maximum rubber contact here.
Yup, that worked for me. Was running < 30psi in the rain. :thumbup:
 
seanmc said:
Sounds like you weather sissies got a little wet at the last event, and that may have scared you...;)
We're not used to this 'rain' stuff out here! :p

FANTASTIC post sir, very helpful.
 
I have had very good success with Dunlop SP9000 with about 50% tread on autobahn and the Grand Prix Course @ Nuerburgring under full rain. The plus is that they are cheaper than DOT. just my $.02
 
Well, again, "good success" depends on your definition. There are a number of street tires that work well in the rain (I'd count my Toyo T1-R among them), but it doesn't mean they're particularly fast when compared to soft racing rubber.

...which reminds me of something I've wanted to try:

Back in the day, before DOT R comps, my pop tried a set of shaved Gislaved snow tires as intermediates. I gotta think this would be an interesting experiment to re-try now, with the fancy rubber compounds that are in today's snow tires...

For instance, Nokian bill the WR as: "The world's fastest friction tire which is designed especially for the changing weather conditions of Central Europe. Nokian WR is suitable for year-round use, because its grip and driving comfort are excellent on a wet, dry, or snowy road."

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...but then again, they're not too cheap, and they're probably still not as fast as DOT wet tires.
 
For what it's worth, I've had the luck (misfortune) to race in rain many times in the SE.
Kumho Victoracer full tread, and the V-700 are ok in light-moderate rain and the price is right. That's what I ran back in the mid to late '90's. Let go with no warning in puddles, though. Still better than any street tire, or shaved R's.
Hoosier Dirt Stockers are fantastic in steady rain to downpour. Talking can't see out the windshield, driving by watching out the side window kind of rain. Won't last more than a couple of laps in drying conditions.. from pretty decent tread to cords in 3 laps.
Hoosier wets worked great this year at Barber in a steady rain. We got a top 10 finish running with cars with LOTS more horsepower. I ran with 2 guys that were all over the place with worn wets (GT-1 and another A/Sedan). I had just mounted mine. Tire Rack doesn't list them, but Appalachian tire has 245-255-16's and they were $208 last spring. http://www.racetire.com/products/hoosier_product.htm#ROAD RACING WETS
 
Hankook Z212s...cheap, many sizes, very good in the rain...and wont die a horrible death on a drying track.

Image
 
I have been very satified with my Goodyear F1 GS-DS

Run them everyday, and when it rains at the track use them.

I was not running for time, just HPDE stuff. They were *great* at Mid Ohio last year on new surface. Not so good at Putnam park on a worn surface. Go figure, makes sense.

At Nelson Ledges SVTOA event last October, I shamed the Mustange/Cobra crowd in the rain. But who wouldn't. :) Another SVTF on regular all seasons was slipping everywhere, finally into the tire wall.

My point is that I could still participate well in the rain with what I drove there on.

Caveat; they now have about 6/32 on them and are noisier than #$%^.
 
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