[VR Baron]

A week ago I got to run against two friends. They have a zle with new 305/30/19 Hoosiers. I have my old 140 lap 285/35/19 Re 71s. Big fast course at Angels stadium, big curving turn to a straight to the lights where we got to 67/70 mph. He beat me by .75 seconds, his wife beat me by .25 seconds. Later in fun runs I beat her time and was only .4 behind him. Season winding down and probably won’t see them till next year so only comparison I have. He did say they turn in well, heat up quickly and did notice they are a light weight tire. But likes them

[Christian1LE]

Well I've officially given these tires what i would consider a fair shake. Here are my takes. I used them at both pitt race(3 heat cycles) and CMP (6 hear heat cycles).

CMP is a track I've driven the most and have used most tire compounds here. The only lap on this list that I don't think was near the limit were the new Hoosier A7 tires. It was my first time using A7s and I didn't push them nearly as much as I could. I think there is 1 second more in those tires (allowing for a 1:36)

My point of view is one as a time attack competitor but I'll give some inputs on what I think about them just for tracking.
following times were all run with similar weather and the car was almost identical. Only difference is that with Hoosier slick compounds (A7, R7) the car had 75 lbs of ballast and 3/4 of a tank to meet minimum TT3 weight requirements. The 200TW laps were with the car about 100lbs lighter.

A7 - 1:37.6
R7 - 1:39.7
NANKANG CRSV2 - 1:39.7
HOOSIER TA PRO - 1:40.0
SC3 ON STOCK WHEEL: 1:40.7

not only was the TA slower but they feel like they overheat very fast. They also have a tendency to heat cycle fast and they lose most of their speed after 5 to 6 good heat cycles. I don't recommend them, I think the best 200TW tires are by far the CRS v2, from both a longevity and performance standpoint. I'll probably post both laps with together for comparison. (Crs vs TA)

Please don't sue me Hoosier, I have no affiliation or sponsor with anyone. I'll answer any questions anyone has

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by Christian1LE

Well I've officially given these tires what i would consider a fair shake. Here are my takes. I used them at both pitt race(3 heat cycles) and CMP (6 hear heat cycles).

CMP is a track I've driven the most and have used most tire compounds here. The only lap on this list that I don't think was near the limit were the new Hoosier A7 tires. It was my first time using A7s and I didn't push them nearly as much as I could. I think there is 1 second more in those tires (allowing for a 1:36)

My point of view is one as a time attack competitor but I'll give some inputs on what I think about them just for tracking.
following times were all run with similar weather and the car was almost identical. Only difference is that with Hoosier slick compounds (A7, R7) the car had 75 lbs of ballast and 3/4 of a tank to meet minimum TT3 weight requirements. The 200TW laps were with the car about 100lbs lighter.

A7 - 1:37.6
R7 - 1:39.7
NANKANG CRSV2 - 1:39.7
HOOSIER TA PRO - 1:40.0
SC3 ON STOCK WHEEL: 1:40.7

not only was the TA slower but they feel like they overheat very fast. They also have a tendency to heat cycle fast and they lose most of their speed after 5 to 6 good heat cycles. I don't recommend them, I think the best 200TW tires are by far the CRS v2, from both a longevity and performance standpoint. I'll probably post both laps with together for comparison. (Crs vs TA)

Please don't sue me Hoosier, I have no affiliation or sponsor with anyone. I'll answer any questions anyone has

Were the tire sizes of all the above tires the same?
Thank You

[BoilerUP]

Originally Posted by Christian1LE

Well I've officially given these tires what i would consider a fair shake. Here are my takes. I used them at both pitt race(3 heat cycles) and CMP (6 hear heat cycles).

CMP is a track I've driven the most and have used most tire compounds here. The only lap on this list that I don't think was near the limit were the new Hoosier A7 tires. It was my first time using A7s and I didn't push them nearly as much as I could. I think there is 1 second more in those tires (allowing for a 1:36)

My point of view is one as a time attack competitor but I'll give some inputs on what I think about them just for tracking.
following times were all run with similar weather and the car was almost identical. Only difference is that with Hoosier slick compounds (A7, R7) the car had 75 lbs of ballast and 3/4 of a tank to meet minimum TT3 weight requirements. The 200TW laps were with the car about 100lbs lighter.

A7 - 1:37.6
R7 - 1:39.7
NANKANG CRSV2 - 1:39.7
HOOSIER TA PRO - 1:40.0
SC3 ON STOCK WHEEL: 1:40.7

not only was the TA slower but they feel like they overheat very fast. They also have a tendency to heat cycle fast and they lose most of their speed after 5 to 6 good heat cycles. I don't recommend them, I think the best 200TW tires are by far the CRS v2, from both a longevity and performance standpoint. I'll probably post both laps with together for comparison. (Crs vs TA)

Please don't sue me Hoosier, I have no affiliation or sponsor with anyone. I'll answer any questions anyone has

Have you run the 71RS? I realize sizing isn't optimal for a SS 1LE

[Christian1LE]

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

Were the tire sizes of all the above tires the same?
Thank You

Yes 315 30 18 square on 18x11

[Christian1LE]

Originally Posted by BoilerUP

Have you run the 71RS? I realize sizing isn't optimal for a SS 1LE

I have but never at cmp and never for time attack. Bought them as a rain tire. They are good from what other people have ran in them.

[Dabjbr]

Christian,
As a YT subscriber, I can attest to your ability and value your opinion.

That said, I'm surprised the A7 is 2 seconds faster (possibly 3) given your 1:36 comment when compared to the R7. I wonder if you weren't pushing the R7 as hard or maybe had tried them early in your 'career'? Thoughts?

As for the HTA, they don't sound great for performance and especially value. My current approach running 305/30/19 square is to keep with the SC3R or CRSV2. I tried two sets of AR1 and really liked them. However, they are extremely loud to/from the track. I've never tried the CRSV2 but maybe that's the best all-around.

Last question, have your tried the SC3R and if so, where do they line up compared to the others? For context, they perform great for me and are reasonably priced when on sale. However, they only last 4 days and that's with rotations. Hoping the CRSV2 would last longer and perform the same.

[Badmojo]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

Unless you’re talking about the mold release stuff on very fresh brand new tires I have seen Randy Pobst say the exact opposite of this a few times. According to him tires are at their grippiest when new and on their first ever lap post a warm up lap.

I agree.

[Christian1LE]

Originally Posted by Dabjbr

Christian,
As a YT subscriber, I can attest to your ability and value your opinion.

That said, I'm surprised the A7 is 2 seconds faster (possibly 3) given your 1:36 comment when compared to the R7. I wonder if you weren't pushing the R7 as hard or maybe had tried them early in your 'career'? Thoughts?

As for the HTA, they don't sound great for performance and especially value. My current approach running 305/30/19 square is to keep with the SC3R or CRSV2. I tried two sets of AR1 and really liked them. However, they are extremely loud to/from the track. I've never tried the CRSV2 but maybe that's the best all-around.

Last question, have your tried the SC3R and if so, where do they line up compared to the others? For context, they perform great for me and are reasonably priced when on sale. However, they only last 4 days and that's with rotations. Hoping the CRSV2 would last longer and perform the same.

Fresh A7's are just that much better, yes 3 seconds(depending on the track). The car on new A7's feels like it's literally on rails.

I think there is some validity to your comment about R7's being "early in my career" but that 37 time was also at a similar time. R7's were really built for racing in the summer when it's too hot to lap A7's consistently. Also from times other people have posted it seems like there is a lot of correlation between the R7's and SC3R tires. They are good but in my opinion they really are that much slower than A7's.

I still remember being really underwhelmed when I first used R7's, I was expecting the car to have a ton more grip than regular street tires but it just never happened.

My watkins glen laps on R7 vs A7's I would say are pretty comparable, I was pushing both tires hard and they both corded at the end of the weekend. In that case it was only a 1.5 second difference(2:03 vs 2:01.5). But I think new R7's would only give me another 1 second of pace while new A7's I'm pretty confident I can go sub 2 minutes at the glen. I also used really old yokohama A052's that same weekend and ran a 2:03.7.

I've never been to the Glen on good tires, it seems anytime I get there I'm always out of tire. Wish they were less expensive.

Also just remember that I've ran R7 and A7's at VIR. R7 ran a 2:02.4, A7 ran a 1:59.8. But it's worth keeping in mind that R7 lap wasn't on new tires and the conditions were not as good as when I ran A7 lap. So maybe you're right. Maybe it's closer to 2 seconds and there is another second on the R7's at CMP as well. But if you ever get a chance to try A7 vs R7 you will see what I'm talking about. One feels like a regular tire, the other feels like you don't run out of grip.

I'm kind of doing some reflecting here as I type but I wanted to add that Ideal conditions for setting track recrods is around 45 degrees F and A7's. In that scenario the R7's can just never get up to a good temperature in the compound. So while in the summer the R7's can perform better, in ideal conditions they will never get a chance to "fire up". In the summer they may be just 1 second slower than A7, but in the winter when conditions are ideal they won't compare.

[DaveC113]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

Unless you’re talking about the mold release stuff on very fresh brand new tires I have seen Randy Pobst say the exact opposite of this a few times. According to him tires are at their grippiest when new and on their first ever lap post a warm up lap.

Needs qualification. There's a reason why most tire mfg'ers recommend a heat cycle done gently then then take the wheels off the car and let cool for 24 hours before 1st real use.

This is why Tire Rack offers heat treatment services on their track tires.

Having done it both ways on the exact same RE71RS, the heat cycled tires were best when new and the non heat cycled tires took a couple heat cycles to work as intended.

If heat cycled properly before 1st use then sure the 1st use will be optimal, if not it may be a different story, and not all tires are exactly the same so it may differ between tires.

[Christian1LE]

Originally Posted by DaveC113

Needs qualification. There's a reason why most tire mfg'ers recommend a heat cycle done gently then then take the wheels off the car and let cool for 24 hours before 1st real use.

This is why Tire Rack offers heat treatment services on their track tires.

Having done it both ways on the exact same RE71RS, the heat cycled tires were best when new and the non heat cycled tires took a couple heat cycles to work as intended.

If heat cycled properly before 1st use then sure the 1st use will be optimal, if not it may be a different story, and not all tires are exactly the same so it may differ between tires.

I'll disagree here, from my experience that first heat cycle is only supposed to make the tires last longer. You will lose first lap ultimate pace if you scrub them in and let them sit for 24 hours. This is from my own experience and also my friends that run time attack. We do not scrub them in but what we try to bring a new set of A7's for Sunday morning session (which is usually the fastest of the weekend). You only run them once in the morning session then leave them for another event. So they don't get scrubbed in but they do get a chance to "cure" by over 7 days.

The release compound that come on new tires get scrubbed off by turn 2 of the warmup lap.

[DaveC113]

Originally Posted by Christian1LE

I'll disagree here, from my experience that first heat cycle is only supposed to make the tires last longer. You will lose first lap ultimate pace if you scrub them in and let them sit for 24 hours. This is from my own experience and also my friends that run time attack. We do not scrub them in but what we try to bring a new set of A7's for Sunday morning session (which is usually the fastest of the weekend). You only run them once in the morning session then leave them for another event. So they don't get scrubbed in but they do get a chance to "cure" by over 7 days.

The release compound that come on new tires get scrubbed off by turn 2 of the warmup lap.

Ok, me and several others here have had a different experience, but this is just with RE71RS.

If Tire Rack heat cycling service made the tires lose pace I think they wouldn't offer it. It simply makes them work as intended immediately. If you do an initial heat cycle yourself, they aren't supposed to be "scrubbed in", they are supposed to be driven on gently, without excessive loading, then taken off the car and allowed to cool for at least 24 hours.

This initial heat cycling procedure is pretty well known, it's done for a reason and it's not just so the tires last longer.

[Christian1LE]

Originally Posted by DaveC113

Ok, me and several others here have had a different experience, but this is just with RE71RS.

If Tire Rack heat cycling service made the tires lose pace I think they wouldn't offer it. It simply makes them work as intended immediately. If you do an initial heat cycle yourself, they aren't supposed to be "scrubbed in", they are supposed to be driven on gently, without excessive loading, then taken off the car and allowed to cool for at least 24 hours.

This initial heat cycling procedure is pretty well known, it's done for a reason and it's not just so the tires last longer.

I'll agree to disagree but no race cars do this. They put brand new tires on and race them. F1, IMSA etc.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by Christian1LE

I'll agree to disagree but no race cars do this. They put brand new tires on and race them. F1, IMSA etc.

That's not entirely accurate. Many teams scrub in their tires during testing sessions leading up to the race, or they treat them beforehand.