hand grooved rain tires

[ted]

Anyone have a pattern for grooving/sipeing some wider 710s?
I have the resources to do it just need a pattern.
They would be used on the street, 335 and 275 x 17 Kumho 710s.

[ted]

patterns?

[petevb]

Originally Posted by ted

patterns?

Can't help with an actual pattern, but it would seem that's the easy part? What form are you looking for the pattern in- a 2d that you could print out?

These seem nicely done- wouldn't want to do some of those myself:

http://www.rogerkrausracing.com/RKR/groove.shtml

[ted]

Thanks Pete, those are great photos of hand grooved R rated tires.
With a blue ball point pen I'd like to trace the pattern onto the tire.
Any opinions, would it be ok to to use the R6 intermediate photo as a guide?

[petevb]

Originally Posted by ted

Thanks Pete, those are great photos of hand grooved R rated tires.
With a blue ball point pen I'd like to trace the pattern onto the tire.
Any opinions, would it be ok to to use the R6 intermediate photo as a guide?

Looks good to me- that's the one I'd choose.
FYI, when I asked Kumho about this a while ago the responded with the following:

"Good day Sir,

In regards to the V-710 – the tire is molded at 4/32 on tread depth, we do not recommend you cut any grooves for you might cut into the belt package. Try a grooved tire the V700 as an alternative.

Another suggestion is to find a racetrack with a less moveable gravel scenario.

This is the only advise we can provide at this time.

Thank you for your support,"

This was a much less aggressive response than Hoosier, who basically said "don't even think about cutting our tire". I think both are in CYA mode, but I would worry about delamination if you cut too many or too deep groves. However if you use that inter as a guide, make sure the bottom of your groves are rounded, and watch the tires carefully when they are on I think it'll work. I'm interested- if you do it please post your experience.

[ted]

Good stuff Pete, thank you.
The green 911 above did a couple hundred mile back road tour with grooved R6s.
Mine may see some light touring.
I suppose they would be worth a try if it rained during a TT.

[Patrice911]

How about some Toyo RA1. That's what I'm using for wet track and the occasional street driving.
When they have too much wear for wet driving, I just finish them up on the dry and buy a new set for the wet/street.

[ted]

Originally Posted by Patrice911

How about some Toyo RA1. That's what I'm using for wet track and the occasional street driving.
When they have too much wear for wet driving, I just finish them up on the dry and buy a new set for the wet/street.

Currently RA-1s on 18s are my street tire.
imho you have an excellent wet weather tire managment plan.
I have too much time so thinking of grooving a used 710.
Got an iron, gonna try it.
http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=1169

[Patrice911]

Originally Posted by ted

Currently RA-1s on 18s are my street tire.
imho you have an excellent wet weather tire managment plan.
I have too much time so thinking of grooving a used 710.
Got an iron, gonna try it.
http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=1169

Actually I got that one and it work pretty good. I used it on the RA1. The RA1 has different tread depth across the tire so I grooved the inside edge to full depth to improve water evacuation.

[JP911]

Brandon Krause (Roger Krause Racing) told me that he does this often for high-end street cars (mostly Ferraris). You may want to call him and ask for some pointers.