BFG R1 tire life/Continental slicks

[jager911]

(I posted on the Racing forum but no responses there)

It's time for new track tires for me. I've used mostly Kumho V700, Victoracers and MPSC.

I'm looking at 2 different sets with a primary/backup set:

1. I want to try semi-slicks and have a deal on the Continental Grand-am spec tire in 225/45/17 and 275/40/17, these were made by Hoosier last year for Continental and are supposed to be close to R6 compound but made to last longer for endurance racing. Anyone running these tires, please comment on warm-up time and tire pressures. I expect 2-3 laps of warm-up?

2. Also getting new BFG R1 as a more practical long-term tire. Any feedback on number of track days? I'm "only" doing DEs (Instructor groups).

[PatrickB]

Can't comment on the "semi-slicks."

BFG-R1 = JUNK! I tried 2 sets a few years back, when Kuhmo was having their all too familiar problem with U.S. Stock. Significantly less grip than V710. To the tune of 4-5 seconds slower at AutoClub Speedway, Fontana ROVAL. The only thing attractive about them back then, was they were significantly cheaper than the V710, and readily available.

You should also consider the Hankook 214. Cheaper than the V710, and only slightly slower than the V710. If you really want a tire that lasts longer, and just for practice, or DE's, consider the Nitto NT01. Less than $200 a tire, and more grip than the R1. Also, I got 40+ heat cycles out of my last set. This actually is possible, if your suspension is set up correctly!

[jager911]

Patrick,
Thanks for the feedback on R1s, saved me an expensive mistake. My buddies are using Hoosier R6s but can't live with the wear so will take a look at the Hankooks and Nittos. I've been happy with MPSCs, they last an entire season, about 8-10 DEs.

[GaryR]

If you are looking for economy stick with the MPSC's. The guys I know that ran Conti GA last year hated the tires, and I believe there was about a 2 second spread between R6's and the Conti tire..

[JP911]

Once I got the pressures right, I loved the R1. Lasted about 8 events (came to an abrupt end at event 9 where I flat-spotted the fronts).

[Cory M]

If you are looking for long lasting DE tires I would take the Nitto NT01 over the two options you listed. You will give up a little bit of time but they will last twice as long as R1 or Continental. You can get them from Discount Tire online.

[Plavan]

Originally Posted by PatrickB

Can't comment on the "semi-slicks."

BFG-R1 = JUNK! I tried 2 sets a few years back, when Kuhmo was having their all too familiar problem with U.S. Stock. Significantly less grip than V710. To the tune of 4-5 seconds slower at AutoClub Speedway, Fontana ROVAL. The only thing attractive about them back then, was they were significantly cheaper than the V710, and readily available.

+1 BFG R1's are complete crap.

I used V710's in the past and they were great. They just do not make the size I need now (I'm on R6's now). I would get about 15 Heatcycles out of the V710's before they were practice/junk tires to run on. You always want sticky tires for racing.
For a DE I would stick to more of a street tire. We raced 14 hours straight in Chumpcar on a set of Falken Azenis RT-615K tires...... We never even rotated them during the 14 hour enduro race...They are great durable tires and stuck pretty well. They probably had another 4+ hours left on them. We got 2nd overall too! We ended up racing over 900 miles on them.

[jager911]

Originally Posted by Plavan

+1 BFG R1's are complete crap.

I used V710's in the past and they were great. They just do not make the size I need now (I'm on R6's now). I would get about 15 Heatcycles out of the V710's before they were practice/junk tires to run on. You always want sticky tires for racing.
For a DE I would stick to more of a street tire. We raced 14 hours straight in Chumpcar on a set of Falken Azenis RT-615K tires...... We never even rotated them during the 14 hour enduro race...They are great durable tires and stuck pretty well. They probably had another 4+ hours left on them. We got 2nd overall too! We ended up racing over 900 miles on them.

Thanks for the feedback, I'd probably kill myself on street tires at this point in 19 years of track, or just flat spot them trying to trail brake with Big Reds. I flat-spotted the MPSCs last Sep at Watkins Glen and had a nice 90mph spin. That was a wake-up call.
Obviously, I'm looking to go faster, hence the trial of the Contis, they are a relatively cheap experiment as I'm trying to hang with GT3s and Cup cars with a car that's 500lbs lighter.

[GaryR]

Wow, as Cup Cars run sub 2:00 laps at the Glen on Michelin slicks that must be one hell of a car you have there if you are hanging with them on MPSC's!!

[jager911]

Nothing special in my car, I said I was *trying* , what that means is I'm really getting passed left and right except for some of the 964 Cup cars that I run with. My comment was directed to running street tires, that's opposite to where I'm going.

If you want to give some constructive feedback, please ask your buddies what cold and hot tire pressures they used on the Contis as I already bought them.

[GaryR]

It was on a Cayman running in GT, around 2500 LB IIRC, is that about what your car is? I'll drop Dan Jacobs an email and ask..

[jager911]

Yes, 2500lbs now, trying to lose 100lbs before paint job next week, with Deka battery, removal of a/c evap and FG rear bumper. I heard they are very sensitive to tire pressures, I need to get a pyrometer to set them up properly. Thank you as none of my buddies use them!

[GaryR]

I've got a Longacre digital pyrometer with memory I could be enticed into selling if interested..

[Cory M]

Originally Posted by jager911

Nothing special in my car, I said I was *trying* , what that means is I'm really getting passed left and right except for some of the 964 Cup cars that I run with. My comment was directed to running street tires, that's opposite to where I'm going.

If you want to give some constructive feedback, please ask your buddies what cold and hot tire pressures they used on the Contis as I already bought them.

We've used several sets of the Continentals. I was told by Hoosier to run them 1-2 pounds higher than R6's. That worked good for the first few heat cycles but as they wore I found they were better at the same (lower) pressures as the R6's. Cold pressures depend on a lot of factors (ambient temp, weight, set-up, track, etc), I would shoot to be in the range of 34-37F 36-39R hot.

[jager911]

CoryM,
Thanks, that's useful info, did you measure temps also? Any idea of number of track days or heat cycles before they go away and do they dramatically lose grip when they do? There is not a lot of info out there on these so anything you can share is appreciated. My understanding is they are supposed to wear longer than R6, did you find that to be true? If I like these, I will stock up on another set or 2.

[Cory M]

We didn't change our baseline set-up from the R6's. I think I only took temps once to verify that the pressures were in the right ballpark for even wear. We only use the Continentals for practice/fun days (to save a few bucks) and race on R6's so I didn't want to adjust the car for the Conti's.

The Continentals take longer to warm up (~2laps) and as they wear the loss of grip is gradual. I was hoping they would last longer than the R6's but that didn't really turn out to be the case. I guess you can run them for more sessions but your last several sessions will be significantly slower, you'll lose the ability to brake deep and push hard in the corners.

Are you buying them new or used? We got ours new. Some of the pro teams sell their scrubs pretty cheap but once you factor in shipping and mounting/balance it may not prove to be such a great deal.

For DE the Nitto NT01 (or Toyo RA1) is tough to beat because they last so much longer that the other options. Be careful, once you've spent some time on new Hoosiers you won't want to go back!