2015 NASA TT Setup
#182
Originally Posted by patinum' timestamp='1428086822' post='23565648
All my wheels are 17x9. Super easy to find in S2000 friendly sizes/offests. Especially since it's the standard for SCCA STR class. Wouldn't mind going to a 17x9.5 though. I think RPF1's come in 17x9.5 +38...which seems a bit too low (offset).
#184
Registered User
So to report back after the first event, I was not impressed with the pace of the Maxxis RC-1 (235/40-17) when compared to last year's Hoosier R6 (245/40-17). Yes, I'm comparing a wider (though on the same rim), lower treadwear tire to a skinnier, higher wear one. However, even with a lighter car I wasn't able to get to my Hoosier-shod times from last year.
I wasn't too far off. For reference, my best times were about 1:11.0 this year vs 1:10.5 last year. However, the big difference was the inconsistency. I found the Maxxis tires to be very sensitive to temperatures and pressures. If I didn't quickly drop the pressures when the sun came out, I found myself running 1:13s every lap instead (though maybe partially from lack of grip and partially from loss of confidence). Compared to the Hoosiers, where I felt like if you were at least close on pressures, you had a shot at a good lap. And even if you weren't close, you were probably still only loosing half a second.
That all said, I still won the class both days and the contingency paid out: the whole reason I wanted to try the Maxxis RC-1s. We had 4 in class on Saturday and 3 on Sunday so I got one tire both days. In fact, the contingency is so good I could have even finished 2nd both days and still gone home with 2 tires. So I guess I made the right choice!? Still frustrating to go slower.
I suppose one nice thing is the RC-1s did seem to allow me to stay out longer. Over the course of a session they only got slightly slower, where I felt like the R6s only had a handful of usable laps per session. Obviously no comment on the long term pace of the RC-1s yet. I definetly thought the Hoosiers were gold for the first event, significantly slower on the second weekend, and pretty much trash after that. Hopefully that is one deficiency the RC-1s can address.
I wasn't too far off. For reference, my best times were about 1:11.0 this year vs 1:10.5 last year. However, the big difference was the inconsistency. I found the Maxxis tires to be very sensitive to temperatures and pressures. If I didn't quickly drop the pressures when the sun came out, I found myself running 1:13s every lap instead (though maybe partially from lack of grip and partially from loss of confidence). Compared to the Hoosiers, where I felt like if you were at least close on pressures, you had a shot at a good lap. And even if you weren't close, you were probably still only loosing half a second.
That all said, I still won the class both days and the contingency paid out: the whole reason I wanted to try the Maxxis RC-1s. We had 4 in class on Saturday and 3 on Sunday so I got one tire both days. In fact, the contingency is so good I could have even finished 2nd both days and still gone home with 2 tires. So I guess I made the right choice!? Still frustrating to go slower.
I suppose one nice thing is the RC-1s did seem to allow me to stay out longer. Over the course of a session they only got slightly slower, where I felt like the R6s only had a handful of usable laps per session. Obviously no comment on the long term pace of the RC-1s yet. I definetly thought the Hoosiers were gold for the first event, significantly slower on the second weekend, and pretty much trash after that. Hopefully that is one deficiency the RC-1s can address.
#185
Thread Starter
So to report back after the first event, I was not impressed with the pace of the Maxxis RC-1 (235/40-17) when compared to last year's Hoosier R6 (245/40-17). Yes, I'm comparing a wider (though on the same rim), lower treadwear tire to a skinnier, higher wear one. However, even with a lighter car I wasn't able to get to my Hoosier-shod times from last year.
I wasn't too far off. For reference, my best times were about 1:11.0 this year vs 1:10.5 last year. However, the big difference was the inconsistency. I found the Maxxis tires to be very sensitive to temperatures and pressures. If I didn't quickly drop the pressures when the sun came out, I found myself running 1:13s every lap instead (though maybe partially from lack of grip and partially from loss of confidence). Compared to the Hoosiers, where I felt like if you were at least close on pressures, you had a shot at a good lap. And even if you weren't close, you were probably still only loosing half a second.
That all said, I still won the class both days and the contingency paid out: the whole reason I wanted to try the Maxxis RC-1s. We had 4 in class on Saturday and 3 on Sunday so I got one tire both days. In fact, the contingency is so good I could have even finished 2nd both days and still gone home with 2 tires. So I guess I made the right choice!? Still frustrating to go slower.
I suppose one nice thing is the RC-1s did seem to allow me to stay out longer. Over the course of a session they only got slightly slower, where I felt like the R6s only had a handful of usable laps per session. Obviously no comment on the long term pace of the RC-1s yet. I definetly thought the Hoosiers were gold for the first event, significantly slower on the second weekend, and pretty much trash after that. Hopefully that is one deficiency the RC-1s can address.
I wasn't too far off. For reference, my best times were about 1:11.0 this year vs 1:10.5 last year. However, the big difference was the inconsistency. I found the Maxxis tires to be very sensitive to temperatures and pressures. If I didn't quickly drop the pressures when the sun came out, I found myself running 1:13s every lap instead (though maybe partially from lack of grip and partially from loss of confidence). Compared to the Hoosiers, where I felt like if you were at least close on pressures, you had a shot at a good lap. And even if you weren't close, you were probably still only loosing half a second.
That all said, I still won the class both days and the contingency paid out: the whole reason I wanted to try the Maxxis RC-1s. We had 4 in class on Saturday and 3 on Sunday so I got one tire both days. In fact, the contingency is so good I could have even finished 2nd both days and still gone home with 2 tires. So I guess I made the right choice!? Still frustrating to go slower.
I suppose one nice thing is the RC-1s did seem to allow me to stay out longer. Over the course of a session they only got slightly slower, where I felt like the R6s only had a handful of usable laps per session. Obviously no comment on the long term pace of the RC-1s yet. I definetly thought the Hoosiers were gold for the first event, significantly slower on the second weekend, and pretty much trash after that. Hopefully that is one deficiency the RC-1s can address.
As it is now, I'm running R7s (non-sticker) at Autobahn - depending on the how many of us there are.
#186
Registered User
They have have Hoosier-style tread lines, if that's what you mean by streetable. So sure...right up until it rains!
I don't think I'll be making Autobahn, so we won't be able to answer the question on how much faster the R7 is than the RC-1! I think that's actually the ideal setup for my car, though. This weekend I was running the 235 RC-1 with a TTC* reclass and a competition weight I couldn't get down to, but could run a 245 R7 with a TTC reclass and a competition weight right around empty in the gas tank.
I don't think I'll be making Autobahn, so we won't be able to answer the question on how much faster the R7 is than the RC-1! I think that's actually the ideal setup for my car, though. This weekend I was running the 235 RC-1 with a TTC* reclass and a competition weight I couldn't get down to, but could run a 245 R7 with a TTC reclass and a competition weight right around empty in the gas tank.
#187
The R7 should be at least 1 to 2secs faster than an RC1 on a typical 2min course. The wear factor on the R7 is awesome. I ran over 20 heat cycles on my 245 R7s and they were still putting down fast laps past their 15th heat cycle. I was .2secs off a TT3 track record running in TTB trim in Jan this year and the tires were past their 20th heat cycle.
#188
Registered User
That's helpful to hear. 15 heat cycles still isn't quite two full TT weekends, but it is more than the 1 the R6s were still fast for. May be worth keeping the RC-1 for track days or contingency at low turnout TT events, but mounting a set of R7 for going fast.
#189
The 255/4017 RC1 is really fast as a sticker tire though. I remembered it having Hoosier type grip when I first tried them out. 3rd and 4th heat cycles were quite a bit slower than their 1st and 2nd cycles, then they're pretty consistent after that in terms of grip.
#190
Thread Starter
Not that I think I'm doing it anytime soon, but what's the deal with aftermarket fenders? Are we allowed wider ones? I can't accurately place any of the rules to the fenders. There are aero rules for front and rear bumpers, and doors but not aftermarket fenders. There are body rules for rolling and flaring (0pt) and tubbing (illegal). There are engine rules for fender air inlets and outlets. Just can't find anything that says we can or can't add the ever-popular 30mm wider OEM shaped fenders.
Also, got my finalized dyno reclass from greg TTC*, 217hp, 2715lbs
Also, got my finalized dyno reclass from greg TTC*, 217hp, 2715lbs