DeTomaso Mailing List: February 1997, Message #141
     



From: MikeLDrew@aol.com

Subject: Re: 72 Pantera tires

Date: Mon, 24 Feb 1997 08:23:08 -0500 (EST)



Rick,



Two thoughts:



1)  The R1 is a race-compound tire, with an extremely thin tread.  Expect

them to last about 2500 miles at the most (!)  Wholly unsuitable for driving

in the rain, too.  I once drove in a an R1-shod car (17-inch wheels) after a

rain, and at freeway speeds, we hydroplaned several times, with brand-new

tires.



I'm told they make a pretty good open track tire, but they have an unusual

wear pattern, called the 'groove of death' or something.  Nothing lethal,

just that they wear a groove right in the center before the edges wear out.

The Nor-Cal Shelby Club e-mail forum had an extensive back-and-forth about

these tires a few weeks ago, which is where I learned this stuff.



2)  You should be running a 225/50 in the front if at all possible.  I'm

running a 245 but I've got an 8-inch rim in the front.



Mike