<VV> Re: Tirez and stock classes

[Sethracer at aol.com]

In a message dated 3/24/2006 9:23:43 AM Pacific Standard Time, pp2 at 6007.us  
writes:

I have  autocrossed A Lot particularly in stock class and one of the tenets 
was  always that it be a relatively inexpensive class to compete in. If you  
have to spend over $100 each for sticky stock tires (actually for a dry  
track, near bald is best so Real Racers usually have the tires shaved to  
6/32 or less before ever putting them on a car.
But us cheap guys know where to pick-up used sticky tires and run them till  
the cord shows!


The  fact is that 13" tires in a decent size have become nonexistant partly  
because the few cars that took 13" tires only have mostly disappeared  
(think the 1985 Fiero was about the last and that was the base tire only.  
(The GM X-bodies of the early 80s all took 185x80x13 and are probably the  
only reason even that size still exists.

Ironically, For true (non-DOT) race tires, 13" have the best  selection, 
since many formula cars still run 13". But 15's are catching up  fast.


So  my vote would be to allow alternate wheels in stock classes so long as  
they were steel and found in the GM inventory, perhaps limited to a 195  
section width and H speed rating to keep it affordable. This would allow a  
lot of choices for autocrossing while keeping that pristine set of 13"  
wheels and tires for shows.

Good idea on the wheels! - But limit to 14" and, for the tires, set a  high 
minimum wear rating for the tire like 300 or so - Now that would get rid of  
the sticky specials! There are plenty of inexpensive "round-rock" tires at that  
wear rating. 
 


Just  as an aside, the last time I was seriously autocrossing (and doing 
well)  my budget included two new tires per autocross and that was  nearly  
every weekend.

Remember, rules are whatever you make  them.

Rules can make or break you  - and Vice-versa!
 
Yeah, Yeah, that's the ticket! - Seth (with apologies to Jon Lovitz)


Padgett