[TR] Modifying tires and wheels

[Joe Laurito]

Dave;

You might want to suggest a rethink of the position on +1 tire/wheel
changes, especially for Wedges and Spits. This modification is often not
done for performance but for pure survival. There is virtually no modern car
in this country that uses a small tire anymore; even the econo-boxes sport
17 inch or larger rims. Inevitably, tire manufacturers produce only what can
be sold in the mass market. 

A quick check of the on-line sellers will show that there are very few 13
inch tires still available for road use and none rated for performance
driving. I have no doubt that these few will soon be purged from the
inventory. I believe that when my current tires wear out (or dry rot), I
will be forced to install an aftermarket 15 inch tire/wheel combination.
This is what many others have had to do in order to keep their cars on the
road.

Joe Laurito

-----Original Message-----
From: triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net
[mailto:triumphs-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Dave1massey at cs.com
Sent: Friday, June 24, 2011 9:10 AM
To: triumphs at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [TR] Originality issues

In a message dated 6/23/2011 10:27:53 PM Central Daylight Time, 
spook01 at comcast.net writes: 
> No, it was interesting in the extreme.  I merely pointed out the original 
> poster wanted off list replies.
> I apologize if I hurt your feelings; no insult was intended.
> 
Perhaps he is writing an article for the newsletter and if all the material 
is blasted over the Internet it will "take away the thunder."

;-)

If I may, I would like to make a plug for the VTR at this time (leading up 
to the NATC in Breckenridge).  Darrel Floyd and I collaborated on the rules 
for the two new modified classes in Concours.  The goal was to include those

who have really nice cars but with the typical modifications that are done 
to improve reliability.  Since the VTR encourages us to drive our cars we 
shouldn't punish those who make these mods so they can with more confidence.

There are two levels of modified considered.  The Touring class includes 
modifications that do not effect the driving experience.  Things like 
alternator conversions, electric fans and electric fuel pumps.  The cars
look and 
feel as original but are less prone to "side of the road" episodes and when 
they do happen parts are available at your local Manny, Moe, and Jack's.

The other level is Performance.  This class allows +1 tire/wheel changes, 
carb mods and some others.  This changes the character of the car but only 
modestly and encompasses the more common mods that are found on cars that
are 
used on the street on a regular basis.

We still have the Race Car class which will cover cars dedicated for track 
use.

The purpose is to make Concours more inclusive of those who enjoy driving 
their cars and have enhanced them in modest ways to make the driving 
experience more confident and enjoyable.

Keeping a car faithful to the factory configuration is a game unto itself 
and can be rewarding when done well.  There is a group of people who take 
great pleasure in rising to the challenge.  Then there is a group who put
the 
driving experience first and foremost and historical accuracy is incidental.

But the largest group fall somewhere in between and it is those people we 
seek to include.

Dave


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