Autocross and Roll Bars

[Slash]

Good points, all, on the roll bar issue. Thanks!

Regarding tires, if I stick to local autox events (Fresno, Sacramento, San Francisco), I'll be competing under SCCA rules in the E Stock class. The Stock rules say no racing tires. Are the Hoosier A6 tires a "racing" tire? I probably won't worry too much about tires until my driving skills improve to the point where tires will make a difference.

[conedriver]

Hi Ron,

Believe it or not, the Hoosier A6 is a street-legal, DOT approved tire as are all of the so-called "R-Compound" tires, and these are legal in SCCA Solo Stock classes. This is not without some controversy, just as Eric says. The SCCA also has a "Street Touring" class, where tires must have a minimum tread wear rating of 140. While leaning much more to a true "Street" tire, some of these are better than others, with the Falken Azenis being the current top dog...

Back when I was using BFGoodrich Comp TA R-1 tires, a BFG rep. told me that tred wear ratings were arbitrarily assigned by tire manufacturers with no governmental oversight. Hoosier used to just brand their bias tread autocross tires "0" tread wear rating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slash Good points, all, on the roll bar issue. Thanks! Regarding tires, if I stick to local autox events (Fresno, Sacramento, San Francisco), I'll be competing under SCCA rules in the E Stock class. The Stock rules say no racing tires. Are the Hoosier A6 tires a "racing" tire? I probably won't worry too much about tires until my driving skills improve to the point where tires will make a difference.

[Slash]

Quote:

Originally Posted by conedriver ...the Hoosier A6 is a street-legal, DOT approved tire as are all of the so-called "R-Compound" tires, and these are legal in SCCA Solo Stock classes. This is not without some controversy, just as Eric says. The SCCA also has a "Street Touring" class, where tires must have a minimum tread wear rating of 140. While leaning much more to a true "Street" tire, some of these are better than others, with the Falken Azenis being the current top dog...

[conedriver]

Ron,

If you're at all serious, moving to "R Compound" tires is a good step. You may as well learn to drive the car in the long term intended condition. Your learning curve will still be good (Unless, of course, there is a "street tire" class in your area - in which case you can play with the other street tire people and not get beat up by the R tire users). Most people around here don't drive to events on R tires, so you can see all sorts of schemes to carry the additional tires. There are lots of the small trailers that can be purchased at Home Depot / Lowes, and somebody markets a "Stinger" that can be inserted into a class 3 trailer hitch and has room for four tires secured in a sideways facing row. No trailer required.

Tire Rack sells almost all of the available R tires. Khumo 710's are literally as good as the Hoosier A6, and are cheaper. Hoosier A6, 225/45x15 are $193.00 each. If you are quick, Hoosier always has a clearance sale at the end of the year where that year's tires are sold for reduced prices.

http://www.tirerack.com/

http://www.hoosiertire.com/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slash Thanks, George, that is good info to know. I might make up a second set of wheels/tires sooner than I thought I would!

[turbolarespider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by conedriver Ron, If you're at all serious, moving to "R Compound" tires is a good step. You may as well learn to drive the car in the long term intended condition. Your learning curve will still be good (Unless, of course, there is a "street tire" class in your area - in which case you can play with the other street tire people and not get beat up by the R tire users). Most people around here don't drive to events on R tires, so you can see all sorts of schemes to carry the additional tires. There are lots of the small trailers that can be purchased at Home Depot / Lowes, and somebody markets a "Stinger" that can be inserted into a class 3 trailer hitch and has room for four tires secured in a sideways facing row. No trailer required. Tire Rack sells almost all of the available R tires. Khumo 710's are literally as good as the Hoosier A6, and are cheaper. Hoosier A6, 225/45x15 are $193.00 each. If you are quick, Hoosier always has a clearance sale at the end of the year where that year's tires are sold for reduced prices. http://www.tirerack.com/ http://www.hoosiertire.com/

[60sRacer]

I've noticed that the midwest drivers use 15 inch rims; 15 by 7 I assume. But the So Cal contingent is mostly on 14 inchers, even though the most common rim is a 14 by 6 -Panasport - (14 by 7's aren't listed by most alfa suppliers).

I know that there are more choices and wider, lower tires in 15's, such as the 225/45 by 15's mentioned. Westerners use mostly 195/60 or 205/60 by 14's, and claim easy fit and little interference issues.

What are the impacts of either choice? Do you have to roll the fender lips for the wide 15's, or even add fender flares?

What offsets work on either rim size??

Robert

[conedriver]

Hi Robert,

I assume your comments regarding rim size are for Vintage racing or stock class autocrossing. I almost forget I have been competing in SCCA Street Prepared classes for so long that it seems normal. SP classes have no limitation on rim width or diameter, which is really dumb since it spoils the natural progression to Prepared Class for autocross, or even SCCA racing or vintage racing, where rim size upgrade is limited. Unfortunately "the Genie has been out of the bottle" so long that it would be almost impossible for the SP Solo rules to revert to racing limitations for rim sizes regardless of how good this idea might be.

So... yes, the wheel/tire combination I use requires cutting the fender openings on my Spider and using flares. some people think this heresy, but it suits my application. For the most part, a stock class Spider is at a great disadvantage in high level SCCA Solo events, while Street Prepared rules allow me to become more competitive. The rims are 9.00 x 15.00, with 4.50 in backspace (actually this is a size for 5 Liter Mustangs with 4 bolt wheel mounting).

Quote:

Originally Posted by 60sRacer I've noticed that the midwest drivers use 15 inch rims; 15 by 7 I assume. But the So Cal contingent is mostly on 14 inchers, even though the most common rim is a 14 by 6 -Panasport - (14 by 7's aren't listed by most Alfa suppliers). I know that there are more choices and wider, lower tires in 15's, such as the 225/45 by 15's mentioned. Westerners use mostly 195/60 or 205/60 by 14's, and claim easy fit and little interference issues. What are the impacts of either choice? Do you have to roll the fender lips for the wide 15's, or even add fender flares? What offsets work on either rim size?? Robert

[60sRacer]

George,

What a marvelous photo of your car! I've admired the little avitar of it you use, but the photo is really nice.

Yes, Alfa's are finally at a disadvantage. Of course, they were the leading edge back in the days (when I was younger and racing a lot). 'Course we're talking about 30+ year old cars being just a few ticks behind the leading edge modern cars.

Used to be that a well preped street class alfa could dust off most of the Corvettes - the heavy Vette just couldn't power its way thru like a nimble Spider without a lot of tire smoke. today the smaller euro and japanese cars with modern suspensions, SOA engines can outmatch us, and the soft glue used for todays tires take away the old alfa advantage.

And now we're not even the lightest cars out there! Bummer.

Still no sound like a well tuned alfa though!

Robert