Formula car drivers; what's a good tire for NE track use?

breakaway500 · Post by **breakaway500** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:40 am

The Atom is not a formula car,I know, but it is lightweight and has no downforce so it is similarly traction challenged.I cannot generate any heat on even r compound conventional DOT tires.

I have used Kumho V710's of various widths and BFG R-1's with much better results than the stock Yoko 048's.(garbage)

I am going to have a custom set of wheels made for track use and am wondering what is being used on track by current formula owners or owners of light non aero assisted cars?The Atom weighs about 1500lbs.

The wheels must be 15" or larger to clear the brakes.I am thinking 10" wide up front and 12" in the back,(or 8 and 10)but this will depend on tire selection.I have been to a few websites,but it all gets confusing. Most Atom owners are content with stock stuff,but I know there is better.

Sasco tires has a wide selection; http://www.sascosports.com/products/index.php

The 15" radial slicks for historic Indy cars look promising but are pricey!

Just wondering if someone with more experience in this field could point me in the right direction for tire selection.Cheap is good,but if I have to spend $300+ to get a really good tire I will.

I need to stay around 23-26" for diameter and the width is not an issue,although I don't think I need 14" wide tires.I usually run a 2" narrower tire up front to induce a bit of understeer,plus it's easier on the arms with no power steering.

Thanks!

cuda6666 · Post by **cuda6666** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:00 am

Please order the radial slicks as that will put you in Prepared

breakaway500 · Post by **breakaway500** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:51 am

Yea,I though about that.

I figure I can use the stock rims with the R-1's this year and experiment with other stuff for future reference

cuda6666 · Post by **cuda6666** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:05 am

If you're worried about heating up your tires, why not install a humungous sprint car wing?

breakaway500 · Post by **breakaway500** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 9:08 am

I think adding a non factory wing puts me back in Prepared.

They have, as an option, a real nice set of CF factory wings frt and rear available,but I am too...thrifty....to pay $6k for them.

Their value on the track is minimal from what I have heard.(on the Atom)

I may tinker in the shop with something in the future.

cuda6666 · Post by **cuda6666** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:20 am

Wings are fine in SP as long as they are not movable.

boltonite · Post by **boltonite** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:27 am

I'd look at R compound auto-x tires, they tend to overheat on most sedans but in your case they might be an ideal track tire. -FF

breakaway500 · Post by **breakaway500** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:45 am

I have considered the Hoosier A6,but most put it in the same performance class as the V710.

91rs13 · Post by **91rs13** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:20 am

I ran Hoosier 275-35-15 A6's on a 15x10 rim for AutoX last year --I did not get a full season of wear out of them just Autocrossing ( probably 15-16 AutoX days) ---I think they do make an R6 compund same size.
They are 22.9 inch tall.

Will the 15x10's fit under stock fenders of the Atom?

breakaway500 · Post by **breakaway500** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:34 am

The Atoms fenders are adjustable for height and are wide enough to accomodate 10" tires,however I like running my car without the fenders when autocrossing.

They fit fine over the 225 R-1's on the stock rims.

Do I have to run the fenders in Street prepared?

91rs13 · Post by **91rs13** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 11:50 am

breakaway500 wrote:
Do I have to run the fenders in Street prepared?

9. External body modifications to fender wells are not allowed although rolling of the inner fender lip and enlarging or
removal of the inner wheel well is allowed as long as stock outer appearance is retained.

StephanAlfa · Post by **StephanAlfa** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 12:34 pm

Will and some of Miata boys have spoken wonders about the Hankooks.
I ordered one set and will try at WGI.
For what I can vouch for is the Nitto-01. In my set-up they are better than Toyo RA-1 (which I now use for practice), Kuhmo (used them 2 years ago and found Toyos are MUCH better) and Yokohama AR-32 (which I now only use for rain).
Please note when it comes to tire selcetion so you can shave off 100s of seconds you are now competing for. With Nitto-01 I managed to regain two track records in 2007 in SSC class.
Hope this helps.

breakaway500 · Post by **breakaway500** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 1:28 pm

My car did not come from the "factory" with fenders as they were added later.

I actually don't care what class I run in as long as it's OK with the powers that be.

I have a fire suit,shoes,gloves,Sa2005 helmet,6 point belts and arm
restraints.

I guess I'll just run in PB because I HATE the fenders...

I'm going to end up there anyway if/when I buy real race tires.

I am not planning on running the Atom with COM till July anyway.(I won't go to Canada)

Thanks for all the help!

brucesallen · Post by **brucesallen** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:43 pm

real formula cars have much smaller diameter wheels- often 13 inch and no larger than 16 inch, than you are talking. Hoosier or goodyear slicks. You may be able to get the very wide slicks used for GT1, 2, 3 cars to fit.
https://www.hoosiertire.com/rrtire.htm
https://www.hoosiertire.com/rrtire.htm

I was always happy in SPA with hoosier R6 DOT.

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Formula car drivers; what's a good tire for NE track use?

Formula car drivers; what's a good tire for NE track use?

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