Cal Club Autocross Forums

John Stimson wrote: take a serious look at the idea of changing stock to 140 treadwear tires.

What makes people think that adding "140" to the stock rules would change anything?

If the standard is 140 you'll get 140 treadwear A6's, 710's, R1's and RS's. If "real" street tire is the standard where do you draw the line?

No, it's not apples to oranges, because I'm not saying that what happened in STU is sufficient. For street tires in Stock to stick, they have to show not just that they can make numbers, but that they would be strong enough to replace the existing classes. Because like you said, it's not going to be an additional class or category, it would have to be a change to the tire rules of the existing category.

John Stimson wrote:Well, street tire folks...do you think if you get all of your compatriots to come to nationals and run street tires in the stock classes, that could could get enough people there to outnumber the people on DOT-Rs? That may be what has to happen in order to have the SAC and the SEB really take a serious look at the idea of changing stock to 140 treadwear tires.

If we could pull together enough to enter as a block and let the SCCA know what was happening, I'd be in. I have a pass from the wife to go to nationals, but no ride. I'd be willing to drive out in my car and participate, but I'd want to have enough people doing it with us to make a statement.

Kurt Ra wrote:

John Stimson wrote:Well, street tire folks...do you think if you get all of your compatriots to come to nationals and run street tires in the stock classes, that could could get enough people there to outnumber the people on DOT-Rs? That may be what has to happen in order to have the SAC and the SEB really take a serious look at the idea of changing stock to 140 treadwear tires.

If we could pull together enough to enter as a block and let the SCCA know what was happening, I'd be in. I have a pass from the wife to go to nationals, but no ride. I'd be willing to drive out in my car and participate, but I'd want to have enough people doing it with us to make a statement.

:gpower:
Make it happen! Get on the SCCA forums and other boards.

Is there a reason that the rules couldn't specify the minimum treadwear as a function of class? Like GS, HS on 140 (or whatever) and all others on r-comps? I think really those are the only people looking for street tires in stock.

Marshall Grice wrote:Is there a reason that the rules couldn't specify the minimum treadwear as a function of class?

*clears throat*

Christine Berry wrote:

Jeff Stuart wrote:Any class that has a majority saying street, switches to street.

Yes, because the new people to the sport take one look at our classing structure and understand it immediatly, so it's ok to add that extra complication }:)

Marshall Grice wrote: Like GS, HS on 140 (or whatever) and all others on r-comps? I think really those are the only people looking for street tires in stock.

I drive a CS car and want to be on street tires, but I guess I'm just weird.

If you're referring to existing stock competitors that want to run street tires, then yeah, I'm sure a majority of them are in the lower powered classes.

I dunno, I like the idea and I'm in an S2000. I don't seem to be the only one either. San Diego seems to have a fair number of serious competitors in SK1. And before you say it's just an S2000 thing, Jeff Cashmore has been running his B Stock Corvette on street tires.

John Stimson wrote:I dunno, I like the idea and I'm in an S2000. I don't seem to be the only one either. San Diego seems to have a fair number of serious competitors in SK1. And before you say it's just an S2000 thing, Jeff Cashmore has been running his B Stock Corvette on street tires.

I've never driven a Corvette on an autocross course, but based on my experience driving a 300HP G35, it takes more car-control skills to deal with a high powered car on street tires than it does on Krazy Glue tires. As long as everyone has to deal with the same impediment, it separates who can master it from who needs the crutch. Can you say throttle control?

Marshall Grice wrote:Is there a reason that the rules couldn't specify the minimum treadwear as a function of class? Like GS, HS on 140 (or whatever) and all others on r-comps? I think really those are the only people looking for street tires in stock.

I'd add other non-huge HP cars like BS (possibly), CS, DS, ES to that as well. Basically, if you don't have an engine that breathes fire.

I'm skeptical of the "high HP cars hate street tires". Chris Cox did pretty damned well in his GT3 on Hankooks at last year's divisional. The rally cars would be a lot better bet in BS than they are now if everyone had to run street tires. The Elise I'm sure will love being on street tires. Maybe the C5/C6 Corvettes and the pony cars will hate street tires, but didn't people drive those cars and have just as much fun back when race tires weren't much better than the current street tires?

by John Stimson on 06 Jul 2011 21:21

I dunno, I like the idea and I'm in an S2000. I don't seem to be the only one either. San Diego seems to have a fair number of serious competitors in SK1. And before you say it's just an S2000 thing, Jeff Cashmore has been running his B Stock Corvette on street tires.

I'm in an A stock C5 Corvette. I like the idea.

John Stimson wrote:I'm skeptical of the "high HP cars hate street tires".

You're right. They're just harder to drive, since you have to develop excellent throttle control. I enjoyed it and it taught me a lot, but a lot of people don't, apparently.

John Stimson wrote:I'm skeptical of the "high HP cars hate street tires". Chris Cox did pretty damned well in his GT3 on Hankooks at last year's divisional.

So did Steve Abbott in a borrowed C5 Z06 on Kumhos this year...well, at least on day 1.