Oh, one more thing. I spent a little time with the local tire wizard
learning to read the tires. You can tell a lot by subtle things on the
tires. My tread blocks were feathering inward and slightly back--the tire
guy said I had too much toe. Nonsense I said, it's set to zero. So I
measured and found I had a couple of degrees. I tweaked the camber and
forgot to check toe afterwards. Duh.
The guy could tell I had caster by looking at the tire. He couldn't explain
that one, so maybe it was a lucky guess, or he's just seen so much he
doesn't know why he sees what he does anymore, just what.
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Babcock
Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2004 8:38 PM
To: 'Tony Drews'; fot@autox.team.net
Subject: RE: Tires
Wow, what are you doin' to those puppies? I get a full season out of one set
on Peyote, and it's not a light car--1550#. Are you cording them or do you
just feel they get too hard?
I spend a lot of time getting my tire pressure and suspension stuff right.
The TD's don't like much camber--they're stiff in the sidewall. I have about
1 1/2 degrees, and zero toe in. I'm running 21# in the front and 23# in the
rear and the temps are good. Still a little hot on the inside edge, but I'm
not doing it on a skid pad--just at the track. With that setup my tires last
and last.
One thing to do for sure. Put one good heat cycle into your new tires and
let them cool down completely before you do it again--overnight is best.
Sounds like hocus pocus, but I've had two tire guys I trust tell me that,
and it really seems to make a difference in durability and the ability to
take a lot of cycles. Also, when you come in the pits with hot tires get
them up in the air on jack stands so they don't flat spot and they cool
evenly.
All that said I sure would like to find some good Radials for Peyote--I bet
they'd be worth a couple of seconds. Sure is fun sliding those hoosiers
though.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-fot@autox.team.net [mailto:owner-fot@autox.team.net] On Behalf
Of Tony Drews
Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2004 5:46 PM
To: fot@autox.team.net
Subject: Tires
Amici, I'm interested in opinions on tires for my TR-4 vintage racer. I'm
currently running Hoosier Vintage TD's (5.50 x 15), and only get about 2
races out of an $800 set. I love the Hoosiers, but am looking for
something that will last a bit longer with a similar level of grip. Anyone
been there / done that? Hoosier Street TD's maybe?
Thanks in advance...
- Tony Drews
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