Tire compound/size experimentation

[Phoenix Atom]

Discussion of tires, alignment and other performance related items is good, of course. But I think before any of us take advice posted here seriously, it seems to me that we really should have some idea whether the advice giver is fast in his car. Or has some other credential, experience or knowledge to be qualified to give set up or tire advice. With few exceptions, only those folks who are fast have set up or tire information that's worth anything.

For example, if a fellow who is 6 or 7 seconds off the pace runs camber of - x.y and Gumball Super Stickies, who cares? And if he then changes to Grippy Super Dooper Stickies and gains 2 seconds, who cares?

What we care about is what the guy who is near, right on or setting the pace runs for tires and alignment.

This isn't aimed at any poster on this site so I see no reason to break out the flame throwers. Except for maybe Eddie, who I don't know personally but his reputation certainly precedes him, I have no idea who's fast (with the lap times to prove it) and thereby qualified to offer some advice. Versus those who aren't fast but nonetheless and usually with much authority and confidence offer up advice that isn't worth anything.

Let me repeat that one more time: this post isn't aimed at anyone on this site because I don't know who's fast and who isn't.

So I ask that those drivers who offer up tire, alignment or other go fast advice to post their times at various tracks (in your signature, perhaps) in order that I and others may determine what weight to give to the advice. If we know lap times but are not familiar with what is a quick time at a given track, googling NASA track records for an appropriate class at the track can give a benchmark. BTW, I checked to see if there is a lap time thread and found none. If there is one out there, I apologize for missing it.

Bottom line: If you're fast, your advice is worth listening to. If you're really fast, more so. If you're 6 seconds off the pace, not so much. If you're a second or two off the pace, well, your advice is worth considering at least to some degree.

[Phoenix Atom]

...I wouldn't want less rear camber in a high speed sweeper when the tires are up to temp or over it. You can only get so lucky catching the rear in Rainey's curve at Laguna Seca.

T9? Yes, that can get you for sure. But it was T4 that bit me in the butt. Hard. RIP #7.

[cvjoint]

Discussion of tires, alignment and other performance related items is good, of course. But I think before any of us take advice posted here seriously, it seems to me that we really should have some idea whether the advice giver is fast in his car. Or has some other credential, experience or knowledge to be qualified to give set up or tire advice. With few exceptions, only those folks who are fast have set up or tire information that's worth anything.

For example, if a fellow who is 6 or 7 seconds off the pace runs camber of - x.y and Gumball Super Stickies, who cares? And if he then changes to Grippy Super Dooper Stickies and gains 2 seconds, who cares?

What we care about is what the guy who is near, right on or setting the pace runs for tires and alignment.

This isn't aimed at any poster on this site so I see no reason to break out the flame throwers. Except for maybe Eddie, who I don't know personally but his reputation certainly precedes him, I have no idea who's fast (with the lap times to prove it) and thereby qualified to offer some advice. Versus those who aren't fast but nonetheless and usually with much authority and confidence offer up advice that isn't worth anything.

Let me repeat that one more time: this post isn't aimed at anyone on this site because I don't know who's fast and who isn't.

So I ask that those drivers who offer up tire, alignment or other go fast advice to post their times at various tracks (in your signature, perhaps) in order that I and others may determine what weight to give to the advice. If we know lap times but are not familiar with what is a quick time at a given track, googling NASA track records for an appropriate class at the track can give a benchmark. BTW, I checked to see if there is a lap time thread and found none. If there is one out there, I apologize for missing it.

Bottom line: If you're fast, your advice is worth listening to. If you're really fast, more so. If you're 6 seconds off the pace, not so much. If you're a second or two off the pace, well, your advice is worth considering at least to some degree.

There ya go:
https://www.arielatomchat.com/forums/thread3208.html

T9? Yes, that can get you for sure. But it was T4 that bit me in the butt. Hard. RIP #7.

A few years back I bought a set of brand new tires from a guy that totaled it in T4. That one is no joke.

[Phoenix Atom]

CV, thanks for the link. I missed that.

I don't think you run race group, but your times would put you at the sharp end of the NASA ST2 grid at Laguna and Sonoma if you did (other tracks too, I'd guess, but I checked only those two). You're quick, for sure. I know I'll pay attention to what you have to say re: set-up and tires.

Unfortunately, you're the only one offering advice to post times. I hope others who post go fast tips also post times.

[Phoenix Atom]

Where do folks get the Hoosier FA slicks?

[cvjoint]

I run in TTU but I often have the STU guys running in TTU trying to post a good time.

[Phoenix Atom]

I run in TTU but I often have the STU guys running in TTU trying to post a good time.

TTU! Holy crap. That's insane. Charles LeClerc hisownself wouldn't be competitive in TTU. The car doesn't belong there.

Why do the NorCal NASA boys put you in TTU? I haven't run the numbers through the NASA calculator recently, but a stock SRA is an ST2 car even with non-DOT slicks. With a bit of weight added it is even an ST3 car. Do they tag you the huge prototype penalty? If so, that's an outrage.

Even if your fancy-ass motor is putting out a gazillion HP, your car is still no more than an ST1.

Regardless, I see your times as very competitive in the class where the car should be placed so I'm listening when you have something to say performance-wise.

[cvjoint]

TTU! Holy crap. That's insane. Charles LeClerc hisownself wouldn't be competitive in TTU. The car doesn't belong there.

Why do the NorCal NASA boys put you in TTU? I haven't run the numbers through the NASA calculator recently, but a stock SRA is an ST2 car even with non-DOT slicks. With a bit of weight added it is even an ST3 car. Do they tag you the huge prototype penalty? If so, that's an outrage.

Even if your fancy-ass motor is putting out a gazillion HP, your car is still no more than an ST1.

Regardless, I see your times as very competitive in the class where the car should be placed so I'm listening when you have something to say performance-wise.

TTU is a funny class. Some days a legend driver shows up in a high power prototype car and wipes the floor with everyone. Luckily there aren't a lot of them nor do they show up regularly!

There were still some in NASA arguing about the lack of fenders on the Atom even with my fairly low for TTU power/weight. I didn't want to bother fitting in other classes, so that no one complains, but in the end I couldn't avoid it anyway. All TT classes get on the same grid so it matters little what class you are if you just want to get seat time and have fun.

I don't have enough amo to give prototypes a tough time this season but next season I'm bringing out the big guns.

[cvjoint]

Where do folks get the Hoosier FA slicks?

Straight from Hoosier or Ebay for scrubs. I've generally had good luck with scrubs but every now and then I got some really beat up ones or the wrong ones.

[texevora]

When I experimented with a scrub FA set, I sourced them from John Berget tires. He's very much a business over the phone guy, not email. He carries a bunch of scrubs in various sizes and compounds, not just FAs.

My best times at MSR Cresson in the 1.7ccw config are:

1:19.22 with R7 (f) and FA (r) scrubs
1:20.09 with A7s (205f/275r)
1:20.23 with BFG R1S (205f/225r)

Another local SRA owner who has had his for 6+ years does low 1:19s on R7s at the same track. I'm guessing all conditions being equal I'm probably ~1 second off his pace, maybe more.