----- Original Message -----
From: "Brad Cox" <COXB@tmfhs.org>
To: <autox@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 04, 2002 9:47 AM
Subject: Hoosier life span, heat cycles, etc....
> I've heard that Hoosiers begin to lose grip when they reach a certain
> age. Has anyone experienced this for sure? I've got a set of the bias
> ply Street TD's, and lately they just don't seem to have the traction
> they used to. Being Street TD's, I've gotten probably 80+ runs out of
> them and they still have a bit of tread left. The most noticeably loss
> of traction is under heavy braking. They're just more prone to locking
> up than they used to be.
>
> Not that I'm complaining. I couldn't be happier with the life I've
> gotten out of these tires, but I need to know if there is the definite
> possibility that the tires may be losing grip before they "wear out".
> Otherwise, I must be getting sloppy with the brake pedal! Thanks.
>
> -brad
>
Brad--
IMHO what you are experiencing is simply the fact that ANY tire gets harder
with age and with use. What starts out as soft gumball rubber gets hard
through heat cycling and you've done that 80+ times (each run is a heat
cycle), as well with just aging. Actually, it happens with street tires too,
just that you don't notice it because 1) they are harder to start with and
2) you don't usually drive them to their limits.
Now be forewarned, as most on this list know I sell a product that combats
that, so you can take whatever I say about it with that in mind. The product
is Formula V Traction Treatment, and its purpose is to preserve a tire at
its original softness, or restore an old tire to its original softness.
I just did my sixth road race last weekend on a set of Hoosier slicks.
Adding race laps and autocross runs, I have some 178 laps/runs on them now.
Yeah, they are getting thin. I maybe have one race, or maybe one Solo II
divisional, left in them. But they are still competitive because I treat
them before every major event.
Most people notice their competition tires losing grip when they are about
half worn. Such a shame to pitch a set of tires with that much tread left. I
used to do that. Now I take mine to cord and they are competitive all the
way down. For about 5% the price of a set of tires, I get twice the life out
of mine.
My favorite analogy is a kitchen sponge. New it is soft. Use it, then let it
dry, it gets hard. Soak it again -- restore the moisture to it -- it is soft
again. Ditto race tires. Think of the FVTT as restoring the moisture to the
tire to make it soft again.
Here's the commercial. I will ship a gallon anywhere in the Lower 48 for
$40, shipping included. All I need is an address FedEx can find (commercial
preferred, not required), and a phone number. There are discounts (shipping
savings) for 2-3-4 gallons. But one gallon generally is enough for most. I
do 2-4 treatments on my tires before major events (road races, big solos)
and a jug will do my set of 20x8x13 slicks about 20 times.
--Rocky Entriken
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