How many Hoosiers are available?

I think it would take more than 100 LBs to equalize a Hoosier car with 225 width tires. However, with 205 tires, maybe that brings things more into line.

At the end of the day, there may not be any other option.

944Racer72 wrote:


I don't think there would be much performance difference between the 225 and the 205. A 7" wheel is narrow for a 205 R6. Although 7" is listed in the recommended range for rim width, this is for DOT compliance. Hoosier's rule for radials is the wheel should be +-.5" of the tire width. So 205mm / 25.4 mm/in = 8.07", or a range of 7.5" - 8.5". Thus a 7" wheel is .5" less than the ideal range. For a 225 R6, you'd need a 8.5" wheel.

-bj

Thanks for the support guys, it is a great class, and we'll figure it out. Our problems are pretty small relative to the cause of this all.

Here's what I know at this point.

Hoosier wants to step up. Jeremy Croiset at NASA contacted them, and they have enough supply of the 205/50/15 SM6 tires in stock now, to supply all of the 944 Spec cars out there with a set, and then some. They are cranking up production in anticipation of more demand, as well. Hoosier also has offered to pay out a large sum for nationals, in addition to their regional contingencies.

All of the issues with a significantly stickier tire still exist, and they are big, but at least everyone has the opportunity to get one, unlike the other options. If the Victoracers turns out to be significantly faster, and only a few guys can get them, that's an issue as well.

This seems to be a somewhat regional problem - AZ & California regions seem better off, the MW, RM & Texas regions not so good. Maybe a gentleman's agreement in the better off regions to run the RA-1's as long as possible, and the other regions, allow the 205/50/15 SM6 with a 100 lb. weight penalty?

I'm uncomfortable with this solution, as it does not protect the guys with RA-1's as well as I had intended, however, spec'ing tires that only a few can get is not a good option either.

I'm about ready to throw in the towel, and go with an open tire

We want to avoid a tire war if possible. If you think HP is expensive you havent seen anything yet.

Maybe someone can test the Hoosier soon and tell us what handicap they might suggest.

any idea on expected cycles for the Hoosier?

You can expect 7-10 HC's at best.

Sterling Doc wrote:


That's awesome to hear. I'd love to be on the same size as the Miata's. Not only could we buy Miata takeoffs, but we could also sell our take offs. I haven't had a lot of interest in used 225/50-15 RA1s.


Sterling Doc wrote:


This is racing and it's damn expensive. Sure, this is a cost conscious class, but like all classes it costs money to run in the front of the pack. I've already bought a set of RA1s to start the season here in TX. Would I be upset if I ran RA1s and the other guys showed up on Hoosiers the next race? Nah, I bet I could still beat most of them.

Seriously, I one time change that cost me some money would be fine with me to keep a spec tire. I'm sure most of us run some HPDEs. I could save my RA1s for those events.

Sterling Doc wrote:


I think this is more than fair. Let individual regions decide how they are going to use up their tires. I could see us in Texas swapping ans selling each other RA1s until they are all used up.

Sterling Doc wrote:


The situation sucks. But no one can plan for "acts of God". I really like the idea of making the Hoosiers the new Spec tire. I really love the contingency, too: www.nasaproracing.com/contingency/hoosie...Contingency_Info.pdf

7+ Starters = 2 Free Tires for 1st, 1 for 2nd, and One for 3rd. So if you finished on the podium both money races in a weekend you'd have 2 - 4 new tires!!!

Sterling Doc wrote:


I hope that is a joke...

Sterling Doc wrote:


This is the most important statement here. Worries about what tire to use on my Porsche race car seems pretty trivial compared to the suffering and loss in Japan.

-bj