2001CamaroGuy

iTrader: (6)

I need to buy tires (had my 18" Z06s cut and widened to 12.5" so I can take a 345/30/18 tire). The only two tires I can seem to come up with are:

BFGoodrich g-Force T/A Drag Radials

and

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup



I HAD 295/35/18s BFGoodrich g-Force T/A Drag Radials on the car and overall was very happy with them (though the car had yet to become a dedicated Road Course car). The hooked well off the line, held well in corners (again, around town/back roads/etc.), and didn't cost a fortune.

So I'm thinking of going that route again but would like some input.

SouthFL.02.SS

The sidewalls on those BFG DR's won't offer much support for lateral loads. They're designed to twist for max grip on a straight launch.

landstuhltaylor

iTrader: (6)

doesnt nitto offer road radials?

2001CamaroGuy

iTrader: (6)

Ok, looking at going to a 335 instead (more options).

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...t=All&x=70&y=6

people seem to be pointing to the Hooser R6s but keep saying "they won't last long." How long is "won't last long"?

what about the Kumho ECSTA V700?

SouthFL.02.SS

I don't know your experience level, but you really want to learn first on a Extreme, Max or Ultra High Performance street tire, then move up to competition or R compound as your experience level increases.

Here are some more options for you..
http://www.edgeracing.com/tires/3353018/

LogicalRetard

Drag Radials and Road Race tires are in almost different ballparks. For comparison, I've got a set of Nitto Drag Radials and they have only 2 polyester sidewall plies. The Toyo RA-1's I ran on my old racecar had, I believe, 4 or 5 rayon and steel plies. Needless to say, the only thing making the RA-1's hook, straight-line-wise, is it's sticky compound. Like what was said above, if you're not racing and you're not driving hard enough to chunk and throw tread blocks off of a good set of sticky street tires, R-compounds are quite a hit to the pocketbook to have.

Darkness

iTrader: (4)

You can buy "scrubs" for cheap if you look around roadracing boards.

FU_I_AM_UltraZ

iTrader: (20)

i use drag radials in the rear and directionals up front and am pleased! don't get the M/T radials b/c I took a sharp turn and slid on dry pavement.. they are way too soft and wore out quicker than the BFs

SouthFL.02.SS

Where did you use this combo?

jmf003

iTrader: (4)

It makes sense that DRs aren't set up for cornering.

On the flip-side, how good are road course tires (e.g. Pilot Sport Cups) at straight-line drag racing? Better than high-end summer tires?

SouthFL.02.SS

RR tire compound has lots of grip. RR sidewalls are generally stiff (to deal with lateral loads of left/right transitions).
DR tire compound has lots of grip. DR sidewalls are generally soft (to twist for the straight launch).

If heated up well, a RR tire's compound will provide plenty of grip for a launch in theory- it's just a matter of how much grip will overcome the stiff sidewall's structure which will want to make the tire break loose.

jmf003

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for the info!