Pot shots, low blows, and other self-serving commentary aside....
I don't claim to be an expert on this topic, but based on conversations I've
heard this "discussion" has overlooked the real issue behind the new DOT
stds. As I understand it, the real issue will be the federal documentation
requirements, not the physical tire requirements. In a nutshell, the DOT
tire manufacturers will have to track, document, store & submit federal
records on every single DOT tire they produce through it's lifespan. There
may be more or less to it than that, again I have only heard this second or
third hand. Seems like I also heard that tires with defects, damage,
punctures, etc. may be required to have replacement and/or more federal
documentation, not really sure.
The bottom line is that this will cost the manufacturers (all of them) plenty
of money to implement, far more than redesigning and manufacturing tires to
meet the physical requirements. The documentation requirement is a
continually recurring, if not continually increasing, cost. Who do you think
will ultimately bear this cost? Take a good long look in the mirror,
bub/bubette.
Perhaps Hoosier should have taken more web space to fully explain the impact
that the new DOT requirements would have on the manufacturers, but how this
topic degenerated into bashing them for purported scare tactics and current
manufacturing practices eludes me. New DOT tire requirements are coming,
they do stand to impact the current DOT tire mortorsports classes, and they
do stand to impact the wallets of DOT race tire purchasers. Shooting the
messenger won't change any of this.
If you don't think that's anything to be concerned about then feel free to
sit on your laurels. Otherwise, a revision of the DOT tire stds. can have a
significant impact on your hobby. If that matters to you then you best get
involved and protect your interests from a bunch of self-righteous federal
bureacrats. These bureacrats have their own agenda for creating more federal
paperwork & morass to monitor, enforce, and assimilate this program.
Nobody; not Hoosier, not Kumho, not Goodyear, not Toyo, etc. is intending for
their DOT race tires to be used on the street. Some may be more suited for
driving on the street than others, but none of the manufacturers really
intends for them to be used there. These are tires designed for racing that
meet the basic DOT stds. The idea that motorsports bodies develop their own
criteria and inclusion lists to replace the current DOT spec race tire
requirement is not so far fetched. This may ultimately best serve the needs
of it's membership.
Mark Sipe
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