Could a NASA rule change regarding tires turn an also-ran into a contender? Maybe, we figured, this reorganized structure could benefit our 1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo. Instead of saying we’re looking to exploit a loophole, let’s call it taking advantage of a rule change.
The NASA Time Trial rules look at weight and horsepower before adding in multipliers for …
Great article JG! On my TT5 Miata, I couldn't get into the 1:19's at The FIRM until I switched to Goodyear Supercar 3R tires. I was running the Toyo RR up to that point. 205/50-15 square setup. RR's were consistently in the 1:20.5's. The 3R are a little more sensitive to heat than the RR. I've run a couple of 1:19.9s and a 1:19.8, spread between when the tires were brand new to when they had 12 heat cycles. See you out there!
bratte said:I've run a couple of 1:19.9s and a 1:19.8, spread between when the tires were brand new to when they had 12 heat cycles.
That's a really impressive tight spread over that many heat cycles. I'd love to see a chart of those lap times vs ambient temps and speed traces. Like, I'm wondering if some of what should have been tire falloff after 6-7 heat cycles was compensated for by good weather of your skills and fmiliarity with the tires increasing. Of if they just are that consistent.
In reply to JG Pasterjak :
JG,
The fastest time of 1:19.8 was set on the second heat cycle of the tires. The ambient temp was 70 degrees (10/23/21). The 1:19.9s were a couple of months apart. One was on a 75 degree day(12/19/21), at around 7 heat cycles and the other was an 85 degree day (3/18/22)at 12 heat cycles.
The data doesn't really show much difference between steering angle input or max combined G between when the tires were new and the last 1:19. That said, the performance has started to fall off after 12 heat cycles. Pretty consistent performance from a tire that I would consider a bargain priced option in its category.
Brian
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