Rain tires??

[wepsbee]

I am new to SCCA ITA racing and have completed only 2 races last yaer. This year we are looking forward to an entire year of schools and racing. One item that I do not have and am unclear on what to get is a good rain tire. I have a couple of opinions but only 1 from a real racer. I will be using a 205/50/15 size. What do you guys think is a good rain tire in my class?

[lateapex911]

For real rain, dirt stockers. NLA though, AFAIK.
Real rain 2nd choice, Hoosier "molded" rain. Their current rain offering
Intermediate conditions, possibly shaved version of the above.
Damp, dark pavement, but not shiny at all, your usual Dry tire.

[iambhooper]

There are at least 2 options available as rains... the Hoosier Dirt Stocker is a popular choice, but they do tend to wear down quicker o the drying surface, and the Toyo RA1 Full tread. This tire has great tread life.

No more than any of us actually get to race in the rain, I suggest buying whatever fits your budget.

Hope this helps.

[rsx858]

My first choice would be the hoosier rain tires. I however run a full tread Toyo RA1 because the Hoosiers are too expensive for my taste. If your on a budget like me, the RA-1's have execllent tread life as mentioned above.

The classic choice is the dirt stocker, however from what i undrestand, this tire works best in heavy rain and not at all in the dry. what i like about the toyo is that it will work in any condition.

-also the size you mentioned i believe is the spec miata size. so if you do decide to go with the toyo, the tire will be readilly available at the track.

[JLawton]

Number one, no doubt is the Hoosier Dirt Stocker......However, they don't make them anymore. They turn to junk real fast on a drying track. With all the rain races we had last year, I started running them even if there wasn't standing water (and no threat of a dry track). They heat up very nicely and get sticky. I always had problems getting my Hoosier R6s to heat up when the track is wet. My Dirt Stockers are OLD (dry rot helps with the traction ) and I don't plain on giving them up yet!!

Second choice is the new Hoosier rain. You can still ruin them in the dry but it takes a lot more than the Dirt Stocker....But they are expensive new. They pop up in the classifieds at times.

I think the Toyo is a real compromise. Less expensive, will do well on a drying track but you won't win a rain race on them in the competitive regions. There's probably a good chance of picking them up used.

So, to answer your question......It depends!!

But be prepared. You may go buy them and never even use them

[dave parker]

If you are working with a limited budget (who isn't!) than I would recommend a set of full tread toyo RA1's. They are a fairly decent choice for a rain tire plus you can use them as dry tires if you are really in a pinch (like two flat tires from an off-course excursion and no tire people at the event)even though they wont be as good as shaved RA1's. When you are starting to get to the pointy end of the field the RA1's will not be you choice of tire, but that is a whole other thread.
cheers
Dave Parker
WDCR HP#97

[joeg]

A better choice than the Toyo (as an intermediate) is the KUHMO Victoracer. While they are still available. Less expensive and work better in the damp.

[iambhooper]

I think the Toyo is a real compromise. Less expensive, will do well on a drying track but you won't win a rain race on them in the competitive regions. There's probably a good chance of picking them up used.

So, to answer your question......It depends!!

But be prepared. You may go buy them and never even use them

The only time I can actually remember using the full wets were at Lowes in June of 2005. It was my 4 race weekend, and first in a down poor. We had the CRX ITC car up to 8th overall in the ECR... until it dried and the faster guys gor around us.

I have/had a set of shaved Toyo's that I used at school in '04. The Ledge's was off and on damp and they were great for that.

hoop

[Knestis]

Whee!

(This past weekend at the NASA 3 hours @ VIR)

K

[Flyin' MacLean]

If you can swing the cost, go for a Dirt Stocker (if you can find it) or a Hoosier Radial Wet. While the RA1 are cheap(er), they're also a poor wet performer. I could never go back to the RA1 after running the Dirt Stocker. In all seriousness, if you're actually out there racing in the rain, there's no point even trying to compete with the Hoosier guys if you're on Toyos, it's not even a competition. My DS's are 5 seconds a lap faster than the RA1's in heavy rain. Those things are incredible.

[A Team racing]

I have two sets for an RX7. Brand new Hoosiers and older version I believe are called mud grabbers or sometghing like that. I hear the older ones are the best. I would like to sale one or the other set. I am in Florida so call if i can help Mike 561 414 1830.

[wepsbee]

Thanks for all the input, I can always count on help!!!!