Some of you are familiar with Japanese R compound tires. Please recommend tire with UTQC or 60 or higher (OTC rules) that would have better stick than A032.

 

The only tires I know to be stickier than the Yokohama A032R are the Hoosier R3S03 (American), Goodrich G-Force R1 (American, being phased out), Pirelli P Zero C (Italian), and Kumho V700 Victoracer (Korean). I don't know what their ratings are. There's also the Toyo RA-1, but its treadwear rating is only 40.

I think there are some other models of Yokohama that are available in other markets, but not in the States.



[Modified by nsxtcjr, 6:22 PM 2/1/2002]

 

Kumho, Hoosier, R1 are all lower than 60. They do not qualify for the OTC touring class. There is enough time for me to import some times from Japan should I decide to compete in the OTC. Looking for inputs. A032 R has been out for many many years in Japan, I'm sure there are lots of better compounds but are they rated at 60 or higher for treadwear?

 

What makes you so sure? And if you are so sure, how come they're not sold here, in the biggest motorsports market in the world?

 

There are ALOT of R rated tires in Japan, most of the Advan Line (A032 A038 A039 A048 all in different compounds soft supersoft) Dunlops, and plenty of other brands. Not sure why they dont bring more over.

 

Frank,

You should IM Rutt; he knows all the compounds

 

japanese aftermarket might not be as big as US by sheer $$ amount, but people over there hardly hesitate to drop $$$$ on their cars. the story goes that many can't afford houses so instead they spend money on their cars. they have lots of weekend club racers and they buy lots of tires and aftermarket parts. look at how many brands of full al. coilovers they got over there. for each brand of tire, falken, dunlop, bridgestone, yokohama, they have multiple R compound tires and many don't make it to USA.

it took them many years just to bring the old A032 and NEOVA's over.

In anycase, I'm asking someone who's familiar with Japanese R tires to see if they have some thingy sticker than A032 but still has rating of 60 or higher. Like Dunlop D98J which has been out for something like 10 years, that never maded here. Dunlop has no R compound here in US, neither does Bridgestone.




[Modified by frank@b16a.com, 10:15 PM 2/1/2002]

 

Hey Frank,

If you are thinking about this for NASA's Open Track Challenge, it was my understanding that you are not allowed to use tires that are not "widely" available in the US market.

Even the Michelin Rally (Intermediate) Tires that Sube Sports brings in from Europe was decided to be illegal since Michelin doesn't officially import them and thus, it is only available at Sube Sports in Huntington Beach.

Your best choice would be the Yoko A032 if you want to stay in the Touring Class, but don't forget you need to drive it on the street to all the tracks (over 2000 miles), so you will need at least 2 sets, if not more. You may want to check with Brian at OTC before importing any tires.

Good Luck in the OTC, we considered entering the "By Invitation Tuner Class" or maybe Touring 4, but we have Skip Barber race conflicts in the Mid-West in May. Hope to see you again in the track sometime this year, let's meet at a TCRA event.

 

Frank knows what he's talking about. To just buy land in Japan which is rare is normally 800,000 to million an acre. House rent is normally 2,500-3k for small house. Get one with garage or bigger your looking at 5k range if not more. Also live in high end of town you could spend 20+k a month on crazy middle size house with garage. Trust me I've seen ton of ad's for them when I was looking for house overseas at one time. So most could see why they spend so much on there cars. Now US customers just don't normally do that unless they really love there cars and only get the best stuff for them.
Trampo tyres and Michlens tyres and Avon tyres have some pretty sticky brands out there. Advan got tuner super soft tyres which are really sweet if you need traction right away. I like Japan and the UK selection of rally tyres because you can get pick of what you want unlike here all I've seen if Kumho rally tyres.

 

Bridgestone RE540S, very very good tyres.

 

Hey RM. Those Michelin looks like slicks i guess they are int. compound instead of full soft, no wonder it wouldn't qualify in touring class. I doubt they have UTQC rating and even if it did it can't be 60...

Hey how about Pantera Club, they've got a Willow Springs event in March 2/3. $175 for 2 days. Sort of by invitation only tho (need to know someone that's ran with them). I ran with them in Nov. I like them alot. Everyone's fast there.

 

Hey Frank,

The Pantera Club @ Willow Springs sounds interesting, although our schedule in March is pretty tight, but maybe if I can get some new R tires. We have a Skip Barber race at Laguna Seca on March 9-10 and March 16-17. Maybe you can drop by at Laguna Seca since you live in the Bay area.

Or we were thinking of TCRA @ Buttonwillow on March 30-31, $195 for 2 days. Haven't ran with TCRA since Laguna Seca in Dec 2000, so we have lots of old friends there that we wanted to catch up with. You should join the under 2.2 Race group with one of your stripped down Honda's. I'm sure you will do well.