AutoX tire selection
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
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From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
AutoX tire selection
I just bought some BFG g-force T/A R1's (and R1A's) because I can't seem to find anything in the 275/40 R18 category... Kumho, Hoosier... Nada! What are you guys runnning? I really wanted the V700s, but alas, it was not to be.
FWIW- these are race tires only. I still have my runcraps on for normal driving.
FWIW- these are race tires only. I still have my runcraps on for normal driving.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 0
From: Annapolis, MD USA
Re: AutoX tire selection (Umrswimr)
You're best off fitting 17-inch wheels for competition. I just bought a set of Grand Sports in 17x9.5 and 17x11 for comp tires. You will then have a choice of Kumho's, Hoosiers, Yokos, and Goodyears, at least.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 36,453
Likes: 2
From: Overwhelmed as one would be, placed in my position.... DFW, TX
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: AutoX tire selection (rbeckham)
Ah- but then you're no longer in the stock category because you changed tire sizes, right? I'd like to stay in the SS class for the time being (my PAX is bad enough- no need to make it worse!) Any other ideas?
[Modified by Umrswimr, 3:57 PM 8/21/2001]
[Modified by Umrswimr, 3:57 PM 8/21/2001]
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,202
Likes: 2
From: Plano TX
Re: AutoX tire selection (Umrswimr)
Have you raced on them yet? This excerpt from the Tire Rack site recommends against mixing the R1's with the R1A's. Since there is basically no choice in stock sizes, I was thinking about giving it a shot.
Since the two versions will "Look" the same, how can you visually tell the two versions apart? Eventually BFGoodrich will be adding the "A" to the g-Force T/A R1A tire’s sidewalls, but this will be a running change that will require some time to accomplish. However, all "DOT" legal tires are required to identify what that tire is made of right on the sidewall, and for now, this branding information will be the only visual difference between the two versions of the tire. The tire construction detail branding can be found in the lower sidewall area on both sides of the tire, just above the bead.
The original g-Force T/A R1 tires will continue to identify that there are 3 Plies of Steel in the tread area.
The new g-Force T/A R1A tire will identify that there are 1 Ply of Fiberglass and 1 Ply of Steel in the tread area.
You may be wondering about mixing the various g-Force T/A R1 tires on the same vehicle. BFGoodrich has indicated that mixing the "old" and "new" tread compounds on the g-Force T/A R1 is permitted. However, BFGoodrich generally feels that the two versions (g-Force T/A R1 tires with the new g-Force T/A R1A) should typically not be mixed on the same vehicle because there is a notable difference in their handling characteristics even though there may be "specific cases" where this might work to a driver’s advantage.
The original g-Force T/A R1 tires will continue to identify that there are 3 Plies of Steel in the tread area.
The new g-Force T/A R1A tire will identify that there are 1 Ply of Fiberglass and 1 Ply of Steel in the tread area.
You may be wondering about mixing the various g-Force T/A R1 tires on the same vehicle. BFGoodrich has indicated that mixing the "old" and "new" tread compounds on the g-Force T/A R1 is permitted. However, BFGoodrich generally feels that the two versions (g-Force T/A R1 tires with the new g-Force T/A R1A) should typically not be mixed on the same vehicle because there is a notable difference in their handling characteristics even though there may be "specific cases" where this might work to a driver’s advantage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,198
Likes: 2
From: Northern CA
Re: AutoX tire selection (Umrswimr)
Assuming you are trying to play by SCCA rules...to stay in the Stock class, you need to retain the stock wheel sizes (with allowance for +/- 1/4" wheel offset). You do *not* need to retain stock tire sizes. I don't know any fast guys who run G-forces on larger RWD cars. I think the G-force R1 was kind of a flop, and BFG has since pulled out of the DOT race tire business anyways.
A quick check on Tire Rack's site shows that Hoosier makes the A3S03 in a 275/35ZR18 size which should work for you.
A quick check on Tire Rack's site shows that Hoosier makes the A3S03 in a 275/35ZR18 size which should work for you.
