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Re: DOT tires under attack... you better be paying attention

To: solo2atlanta@topica.com,
Subject: Re: DOT tires under attack... you better be paying attention
From: TeamZ06@aol.com
Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 12:00:17 EDT
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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