I'll be taking my 96 Neon circle track car to the dirt track here soon. I'm looking for a tire model that is as close to being a "snow" tire as possible without actually being a snow tire, as those are not allowed.
the guys in one of my Facebook groups seem to think the make/model/tread pattern makes no difference, but I've done enough racing to know they are wrong. So please help me find a make/model tire that should work well for fwd dirt circle track. Thanks!
so basically, your limited to all seasons?
In reply to Lof8 - Andy :
Is the track well prepared for dirt circle track racing (no mud, not too dry, some rubber may/may not be laid down)?
Not sure it is relevant, but back when I raced go-karts on dirt circle tracks we typically used very soft slicks. If the track isn't too wet, I would be tempted to try a cheap 200TW tire like a Falken 615.
Dirt track tires are a whole thing. Ideally you'd have different tires for the different track conditions you'll see throughout the night. That's not really practical in the entry level FWD classes so you'll need a compromise of some sort. Thanks to the plentiful contact in most entry level dirt track series you'll also have the opportunity to try different tires as you change them. I don't have any experience with them in dirt but I liked the Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 in the snow.
I think all seasons is what the rules intend (and most people use). But it is a very well prepped track that is not too wet and does get some rubber laid down after a couple heats. I have some azenis already that I was using on the asphalt. Maybe I'll just leave these on and see how it goes.
Im guessing changing the tread yourself is against the rules?
Once I find a car I'll be in the same boat you are. Are you running IMCA or similar rules?
I've been told just about "any" tire will do too - but I doubt it. Maybe for a rookie that applies, but once up to speed I think the tire will matter more.
79rex said:Im guessing changing the tread yourself is against the rules?
Correct
Does Cooper still make a cobra in your size?
L5wolvesf said:Once I find a car I'll be in the same boat you are. Are you running IMCA or similar rules?
I've been told just about "any" tire will do too - but I doubt it. Maybe for a rookie that applies, but once up to speed I think the tire will matter more.
The tracks around me don't use any standardized rule set. They're all pretty similar but all have minor differences. Very stupid if you ask me.
Streetwiseguy said:Does Cooper still make a cobra in your size?
That looks like a nice tread pattern! But not available in my size. I do believe I'm looking for a 195/70-14
Lof8 - Andy said:Streetwiseguy said:Does Cooper still make a cobra in your size?
That looks like a nice tread pattern! But not available in my size. I do believe I'm looking for a 195/70-14
Can you go up to a 15?
In reply to L5wolvesf :
Looks like I could move to a 15". But I have a collection of 14" wheels and I'd like to stick with that if possible.
I’m guessing McCreary’s are not allowed?
Get a durometer and find a soft tire. FWD guys around here are using Mastercraft Avengers.
At some point I took a deep dive into FWD dirt track racing. I don't remember which treads and compounds were best, but I recall the real serious guys used different sizes on each corner and sometimes even different compounds at each corner. Like any other racing, there's a lot more to it than what's on the surface, and much of it is sacredly guarded knowledge you're unlikely to find on the internet.
195/60 14 is what we were allowed, and are really hard to find in anything decent. I ran a Kumho kh16 for years, and it was the best asphalt tire of all, with a 400 or higher treadwear rating. Won a lot of races on them.
If you can find a kh16 in your size, give them a try.
I have rallycrossed on dirt ovals and I had a lot of luck (read: walked away from everyone on "loose dirt" tires) with ultra high performance summer tires. Once on baldish old Sumitomos that corded during runs, and once on brand new Sport-Comp 2s. Even after the track was freshly watered to appease the pig farmer across the road and was snot-slick.
I have a set of Kumho autocross tires and a set of Hoosier cantilevered rain tires waiting for the next time I hit a dirt oval rallycross. Love to have some Hoosier autocross tires, but gosh those are expensive.
Until you are in loose crap where you are throwing roostertails of debris, compound is more important than anything else, up to and including having actual slicks. Having a tread pattern just means you have less rubber in your contact patch, and if it's truly icky because they overwatered, tread voids will just fill with mud anyway, so it's pointless.
From what I've seen locally as well as read for street tires the best option for 4 cylinder dirt oval racing is the big radial ta. Some feel this tire works better then the race tires on 4 cylinder racing when the track is wet and got moisture. I did read in speedway illustrated that a racing in Georgia won 50k worth of dirt 4 cylinder races using radial ta.
In reply to MotorsportsGordon :
IMCA's rules, and others, limit the aspect ratio to 60s.
In reply to Lof8 - Andy :
We run Hoosier 500 with bead-lock 15" on the right and Mastercraft on the left. The back left is smaller in diameter which seems to make the car steer beter in the corners. I know a lot of track will not let you run bead-locks which, in my opinion puts drivers safety at risk. A tire coming off the rim, in the corner is never a good thing. We race in Alabama.
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