Provost wrote:
Also after reviewing Hoosiers site.... the recomended rim size for the 245/40 tire is 7 to 8.5 that means I have lots of 9" rims that are no good including the 2 sets I just had made for the build in the shop presently. Frustrating to say the least......
Not sure which spec sheet you are looking at Robbie. The one I am looking at says(
http://www.hoosiertire.com/rrtire.htm):
SPORTS CAR D.O.T. - RADIAL (A6 & R6) P245/40ZR15 Recommended rim width: 8-9.5" So, you don't have lots of 9 inch that are no good, including the 2 sets yoou just had made up. And, not only can you use your 9 inch rims, you save $40 per tire, you can run the same tire front and back making it cheaper to own the needed wheel inventory, and extends the longevity of the tires by being able to rotate front to back, and easier to set up the car vs the 275.
Provost wrote:
I guess my biggest question is w(h)ere is all this coming from? Is someone complaining? Hard for me to swallow this rule change in the 11th hour.... .....
Where's it coming from? That would be me, part of what I do with the rules as the National Director and rules maker for the series is try to make the rules better each year. In this case, less expensive is deemed to be better.
Hard for me to swallow this rule change in the 11th hour Is 15 months away from implementation really the 11th hour? Not in the race rule making world. Especially with tires which are an expendable item that from year to year change based on the product that manufacturers provide. When we first started everyone was using 205 and 225 x15's. Thats bumped up alot over the years. Drivers adjusted. The favored diameters have gone higher then back lower. Drivers adjusted. Profiles have gotten lower, compounds have changed. Drivers have adjusted. Tires are a moving target that racers adjust to based on available product.
Is anyone complaining. Yes, drivers complain to me all the time about the cost of racing being too high, even in the 944 Cup. Drivers often tell they come to this series and its classes because of the prospect of spending less on their race hobby. Here is a chance to make a difference in the cost of racing. The SP2 uses about 750 tires per year. If half of those tires are 275's, then 944 racers save or can put to better use about $10,000 to $15,000 per season by using the 245's. That's good for racers and makes the series more attractive.