19" or 20" semi-comps?

[35R]

Does anyone know what 19" or 20" semi-comp chioces there are for circuit racing? I see the Toyo R888's have a few 19" sizes. I've heard whispers about 20" RE55's coming soon, anyone know if they will happen? To be frank i dont want to pay $1000+ for 20" tyres, i'm going to go through a few sets. Even $500 for an 18" can be exxy. I've gone through about a dozen sets of tyres in the past 2 years with all the supersprints, private practice and casual track days.

[GTS Listy]

20x9.5 rears the Dunlop SP supersports come. Check and see what they do in 19s. I have been useing a set of second hand of these in the 18s and they were fine for track use.

[35R]

20x9.5 rears the Dunlop SP supersports come. Check and see what they do in 19s. I have been useing a set of second hand of these in the 18s and they were fine for track use.

thanks Listy. How would these dunlop supersports compare with an RE55 you reckon. This is for supersprints, so every second counts.

[VooDoo]

The new GTR had RE55's in 20"

there is a pic somewhere

[GTS Listy]

thanks Listy. How would these dunlop supersports compare with an RE55 you reckon. This is for supersprints, so every second counts.

I just dont know how good the RE55 are or will compare but everyone says RE55 are the stuff.
I will find out in mid march with a direct comparason. Still cutting 1.25 around hidden valley with a 3 year old second hand pair of supersports is not too bad for a stock engine and basic suspension. I brought them with about 70% tread and used them for the last 4 rounds. The supersports must do pretty good just to hold on.

The events I do is one warm up and 3 flat outs so very similar event.

[2 cylinders shy]

http://www.tirerack.com/images/tires/hoosier/ho_a6_ci2_l.jpg
Maybe check out the Hoosier R6's they are DOT approved and available in 19" and in 265/35 and 285/30 here is the link if you are interested http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Hoosier&tireModel=R6

[2 cylinders shy]

The new GTR had RE55's in 20"

there is a pic somewhere

http://www.gtrblog.com/media/blogs/gtrblog/NismoFestival/thumb_plugin/nismo-festival-2008-sunday-139.jpg

[35R]

I went out to Oran Park today, primarily to watch the Newman R35 in the Superlap. Last year on his 20" Factory Bridgestones he ran a 1:17.1 which is considered exceptional for a standard car.

This year he has some 19" TE37's with Toyo R888's (i think) + exhaust + aftermarket tune. I was expecting 1 or 2 second improvement, easily.

However it looks like he was 1 to 2 SECONDS SLOWER today with the new setup. I am at a loss as to what went wrong. Apparently the exhaust and tune raised to power 70rwkw (to 350rwkw) or thereabouts, so i am thinking it must be the 19" R888's letting the side down. I think they were going to try the bridgestones later today but i had to go.

The experience with the USA guys have seen definite improvements with smaller diameter (18") r-comp tyres, so this is very odd.

I've heard whispers that 19" semi-comps may not be up to scratch, so perhaps we're seeing this in action, i dunno.

[Duffman]

That doesn't make sense at all. Same driver?

[35R]

That doesn't make sense at all. Same driver?

Yep i think so, the owner.

[DaveHAT]

That doesn't make sense at all. Same driver?

Makes perfect sense ... more power doesn't always equal faster.

Tyres are obviously a crucial part of it ... but I know of several local examples where assloads more power didn't translate into faster times around a circuit.

[35R]

it's just weird that he has gone backwards. I dont get it.

[choppo]

Makes perfect sense ... more power doesn't always equal faster.

Tyres are obviously a crucial part of it ... but I know of several local examples where assloads more power didn't translate into faster times around a circuit.

Good example of this is the Combined Touring guys run at the same event as us IP guys (3 commodores).... the top guys are slightly quicker (<1sec). Now here is the kick - they run standard engines!!! So a couple hundred less hp than i have AND on smaller tyres (245 vs my 265).
I put it down to;
a .experience and skill of the driver
b. car set up

The hp and wider tyres are only an advantage once you know how to use them.

[Duffman]

Dave, it's not the power that has me confused, it's the fact he's running semi comps and running a slower time :dunno:

Good example of this is the Combined Touring guys run at the same event as us IP guys (3 commodores).... the top guys are slightly quicker (<1sec). Now here is the kick - they run standard engines!!! So a couple hundred less hp than i have AND on smaller tyres (245 vs my 265).
I put it down to;
a .experience and skill of the driver
b. car set up

The hp and wider tyres are only an advantage once you know how to use them.

That's a very valid point, but same car, same driver + more grip = slower lap time? Still seems a little odd to me, but I'm hardly qualified to theorise the reasoning behind it.

[35R]

Yeah it's odd. Could be the tune, tyres, driver, or all of the above. I agree about extra power not necessarily yielding huge leaps in lap times (believe me, i know :)) but i wouldnt expect anyone to go backwards.

[NickS]

Is it possible that Nissan has the balance so good with the factory setup / power that when he started to dick around with everything it no longer works as well as it did ?

:confused:

[35R]

Could be Nick. I've seen reports where others have tried better rubber and had improvements, so got me stuffed!

[Scotty]

From my limited experience (albiet not technical) with the evo. Each time you change a finely tuned car you need to respond to the corresponding impact.

More power potentially puts greater strain on driver, brakes, suspension etc. Like Nick said, in its stock form it was possibly the 'perfect setup'. Add the power and then change the tyres and you have impacted on two key components.

I dont think it means it cant go faster, but they will have to find where the new balance of the car is. It may be some suspension changes etc. I dont know.

It will be interesting to watch it develop.

[DaveHAT]

Could be simply a case of too many changes at once doesn't the fast car make.

Old mate might need to learn how to drive it in its new config as well. Once that's achieved the times might come.

In reality ... what do they expect from a car made for blokes called Stephan who work in a salon?

:trackchat:

[35R]

funny git.. ironically, the monaro now has the 346 back in it and daily driven by a certain lady about town. Turned out nicely too @ 325rwkw, i sort of want it back.

[Duffman]

What happened to the stroker?

[35R]

What happened to the stroker?

It's going into a super secret squirrel drag car project, rest assured very gruff, tough and 'mannish', which might keep Tiger happy i trust.