DeTomaso Mailing List: August 2000, Message #110

I've used the BFG R-1's tire sizes you described as have several guys
(Toumanian, Tella, Miller, Courtney, etc)on Team Pantera Racing  for years
in open track and open road races and never had a problem or tire failure. .
they are well constructed tires and the BFG R1 rear tire is the only 15"
tire left that is still 27" tall.

Hoosier's at one time were getting a bad rap at race tracks and open road
races due to a high failure rate (so much so that the Chief Tire Tech at
Silverstate was refusing to allow cars with the early tires to run)  but the
early nylon belted race tires were replaced by Hoosier (after a couple
lawsuits) and the tire you described are now steel belted and Larry Stock
used the Hoosier's you described at SSCC last year and averaged 145 and had
no problems whatsoever. from what I am hearing the new Hoosier is a much
improved tire.
FWIW
MD
-----Original Message-----
From: mdbell@flash.net <mdbell@flash.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list <detomaso@realbig.com>
Date: Thursday, August 03, 2000 1:21 PM
Subject: Racing Tires


>I'm am considering purchasing some racing tires to mount on stock 7 and 8
inch Campys which will see occasional use at track events (not real racing).
The car is fairly stock (including stock springs and shocks) but with the
full Hall chassis brace kit, Hall Super Stopper II brakes, a 7/8" rear
swaybar, a small GTS chin spoiler, and a 10 quart pan.  Also I'm on on a
seriously limited budget and can't afford new wheels at this point.  The
only two acceptable tire size options that I can find are:
>
>   Hoosier R-3S03: 225/45-ZR15 front
>   Hoosier R-3S03: 275/50-ZR15 rear
>
>   BFG G-Force R1A: 225/50-ZR15 front
>   BFG Comp TA R1: 255/60-ZR15 rear
>
>The BFG's are somewhat but not radically less expensive.
>
>Questions:
>
> 1) Does anyone have experience with both BFG and Hoosier that can offer an
opinion on strengths and weaknesses of both.  Is one prefered over the other
from a handling and/or wear perspective?
>
> 2) The Hoosier 275/50-15 recommended wheel width is 8.5" so my 8" wheel is
borderline.  Is 1/2" too narrow enough cause a serious problem?
>
> 3) The only acceptable BFG combination from a size standpoint is a mix of
the original R1 (rear) and the latest G-Force fiberglass belted R1A (front).
Any idea if this is might be an undesirable combination.
>
> 4) Any other suggestions?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Dave Bell
>
>
>
>