[DaveC113]

Originally Posted by joelster

I raced against Strano in his Mach 1 a month ago. He took off his RE-71's and showed up on fresh 315 Yoks instead. There was a $1500 winners check on the line. I doubt he would have done that had he thought the RE's were faster. I'd like to see your data though. I'll likely pick up a set of RE's for next year simply because of the cost.

Yoks may be a bit faster on cars with proper camber still, but they cost way too much to run. $2k/set and wear out a lot faster vs REs.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by joelster

I raced against Strano in his Mach 1 a month ago. He took off his RE-71's and showed up on fresh 315 Yoks instead. There was a $1500 winners check on the line. I doubt he would have done that had he thought the RE's were faster. I'd like to see your data though. I'll likely pick up a set of RE's for next year simply because of the cost.

Sam's REs are surely still his FS-legal set of 285/35/19s on 19x10 front and 19x11 rear wheels. I'm not saying that this combo is faster than a set of 315/30/18 Yoks on 18x12s! Wheel width and diameter matters. However, I am privy to data that says a set of 295/35/18 REs is at least a bit faster than those Yoks on the same 18x12 wheels, back to back on the same day and site. It's not my data to share, so unfortunately I can't give you specifics. I can tell you this is on a modern-ish pony car with lots of camber (IOW, should have favored the Yoks) and a good driver in an autocross setting.

[joelster]

I'm tempted to pull the trigger on a set but as soon as I do they'll announce some new sizes beginning with a 3 lol!

[DaveC113]

Originally Posted by Msquared

Sam's REs are surely still his FS-legal set of 285/35/19s on 19x10 front and 19x11 rear wheels. I'm not saying that this combo is faster than a set of 315/30/18 Yoks on 18x12s! Wheel width and diameter matters. However, I am privy to data that says a set of 295/35/18 REs is at least a bit faster than those Yoks on the same 18x12 wheels, back to back on the same day and site. It's not my data to share, so unfortunately I can't give you specifics. I can tell you this is on a modern-ish pony car with lots of camber (IOW, should have favored the Yoks) and a good driver in an autocross setting.

Thanks for sharing!

I'm wavering a bit on choosing 18x11 square vs ZLE specs in 18" diameter for the 295/35/18 REs... I'd go with the 12" wide rears with the thought I could run 315 REs if/when they come out. My main concern with 12 in width is 295 REs are designed for up to 11.5" rim width so 12s may not be ideal, may be harder to mount, may be hard to find someone willing to mount them...

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by DaveC113

My main concern with 12 in width is 295 REs are designed for up to 11.5" rim width so 12s may not be ideal, may be harder to mount, may be hard to find someone willing to mount them...

I hear you, but this isn't a problem where we are (Solo Performance Specialties does all our mounting and he understands the reasons someone might try something out of spec. You probably know Dave, as he's big on the national CAM-C scene. However, that doesn't really help you get yours mounted. Still, I'd try to find someone. I'd also do whatever was necessary to run 12s up front, too.

[DaveC113]

Originally Posted by Msquared

I hear you, but this isn't a problem where we are (Solo Performance Specialties does all our mounting and he understands the reasons someone might try something out of spec. You probably know Dave, as he's big on the national CAM-C scene. However, that doesn't really help you get yours mounted. Still, I'd try to find someone. I'd also do whatever was necessary to run 12s up front, too.

Thanks, that doesn't help me not buy coilovers... my friend James wants to sell me a set. And probably has 18x12s he'd sell too. I'll have to go test fit my rear ZLE rims on the front and see if it can be done with 31mm of spacer, about the max you can fit on ARP studs. Camber plates give me a bit more room...

I can find someone to mount them, but my Discount Tire is pretty good and only 1 mile away. Maybe bribe them with pizza...

[joelster]

Have you guys heard the buzz about some new big-boy tires from Vitour? Basically they make a claim that if you win a few select races that they'll refund your tire purchase money. They come in some real big sizes, and are priced accordingly. They have a video up comparing it to the new Nankang.

https://vudevelopment.com/product/vi...cVkfh94m8XZd0E

[DaveC113]

Originally Posted by joelster

Have you guys heard the buzz about some new big-boy tires from Vitour? Basically they make a claim that if you win a few select races that they'll refund your tire purchase money. They come in some real big sizes, and are priced accordingly. They have a video up comparing it to the new Nankang.

https://vudevelopment.com/product/vi...cVkfh94m8XZd0E

Interesting, pricing isn't bad for the 315/30/18s, about $400/set less than Yoks. Available end of '23 it looks like.

Also, 315/30/18 sizing confirms going with 18x12 square, I'd need longer studs and 1.5" spacers but that is possible. There are some MSI studs for Mustang GT350R that would work out just right...

I'll continue on with my plan to run REs, but it'll be interesting to see what people think of the new Vitour tires.

[Msquared]

That seems backward: you'll give me back my money if your tires win me a big event, but if they suck and I can't win on them or they wear out in 20 runs then I get nothing?

[joelster]

Originally Posted by Msquared

That seems backward: you'll give me back my money if your tires win me a big event, but if they suck and I can't win on them or they wear out in 20 runs then I get nothing?

I honestly don't even know if they are legal to run either. Don't they have to make them available in "x" amount of sizes for "x" amount of time? The SCCA can be weird when it comes to tires.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by joelster

I honestly don't even know if they are legal to run either. Don't they have to make them available in "x" amount of sizes for "x" amount of time? The SCCA can be weird when it comes to tires.

I think they are legal if they meet the UTQG and tread depth requirements unless SCCA specifically excludes them. I think...

[DaveC113]

I think @joelster is correct about that, they do have to offer them in enough sizes:

3. Tire models must have tires available in at least 4 rim diameters and
in at least 6 sizes which meet these requirements.

From here, section 13.3:

https://cdn.connectsites.net/user_fi...pdf?1435160557

They also have a specific exclusion list as well.

So these won't be legal for anyone this year.

The offer also seems like a typical contingency award... run X, usually plus a sticker of a certain size on your car, and you're eligible for a prize if you place high enough or win.

I think they set the bar a little high for a new tire though, lol. But if they do turn out to be faster than Yoks and REs they'll sell a lot of them. I am skeptical.

[DaveC113]

I also have a plan for spacers...

MSI GT350R studs (+47mm)

These Camaro-specific bolt-on spacers, but remove the studs and drill 15mm holes all the way through to covert them to slip-on spacers. I can't find any appropriate 1.5" slip-on spacers.

https://www.titanwheelaccessories.co...42337193492638

This requires 6mm more room than the 18x11 et35 Apex setup. which shouldn't be an issue as camber plates give me a bit more space, and I have no issue grinding the strut a bit more too.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by DaveC113

I think @joelster is correct about that, they do have to offer them in enough sizes:

3. Tire models must have tires available in at least 4 rim diameters and
in at least 6 sizes which meet these requirements.

They do come in 4 rim diameters and 13 total different sizes:

Originally Posted by Vitour

225/40/15, 235/40/18, 245/35/15, 245/40/17, 265/35/18, 285/30/15, 285/30/17, 295/25/19, 295/30/18, 305/30/15, 315/30/18, 345/25/19, 345/30/18

I don't see a spec for tread depth, but I can't imagine they would design these with less than the SCCA-minimum 7/32"

Now the other thing that might exclude them is 13.3.A.3:

Originally Posted by SCCA

Listed in a current year or prior 2 years of the “Tire Guide®” and/or
the “Tread Design Guide®” (www.tireguides.com).

That guide seems to require a login, so I can't tell if these are found there or not. I'm guessing not. So it may still be accurate that they won't be allowed this year...in Street classes.

However, the CAM rules don't require either of those stipulations. They just have to be UTQG 200+ and not on the CAM exclusion list. So Dave, it looks to me like you can use them today.