New year, new tire supplier.
For 2025, Hoosier Racing Tire will replace Toyo as the tire supplier for several NASA classes: 944 Spec, American Iron, Camaro-Mustang Challenge, Spec Iron and Spec E46. The spec tire will be the RCES, a DOT-approved tire with a 4.5/32-inch tread depth.
According to NASA, Hoosier developed the new spec RCES to the specific classes than run them. “In other words,” NASA posted online, “the compound and construction for Spec E46 can differ from those used for the other classes even though they are all RCES tires.”
Sizing and retail pricing for the new Hoosier RCES tire:
What happens when it rains? American Iron, Camaro-Mustang Challenge, Spec Iron and Spec E46 drivers can mount up the Hoosier W2, while 944 Spec teams can run the Continental Extreme Contact Force.
And just to be clear, Toyo has not been fully replaced in NASA spec classes by the Hoosier RCES, just those listed in the story.
Spec Z, Honda Challenge and Spec3 will all run on the new Toyo Proxes R, while Spec Miata will continue to compete on the older Proxes RR. The latter will continue to be made in the necessary 205/50-15 size for at least one more year.
Watch GRM for an upcoming testing story involving both versions of the Toyo
I wonder how this tire will be classed for ST/TT- With different compounds in different sizes. Would each size get a modifier?
I wasn't a fan of the new Proxes R - faster, but very edgy, not a very friendly tire for a Spec class especially. This sounds better.
Andy Hollis said:And just to be clear, Toyo has not been fully replaced in NASA spec classes by the Hoosier RCES, just those listed in the story.
Spec Z, Honda Challenge and Spec3 will all run on the new Toyo Proxes R, while Spec Miata will continue to compete on the older Proxes RR. The latter will continue to be made in the necessary 205/50-15 size for at least one more year.
Watch GRM for an upcoming testing story involving both versions of the Toyo
Are you going to test the RCE?
The photo they show looks a lot like an R7 -- is this really a new tire, or is it just a rebadged R7 like the SM7 is?
4.5/32?
9/64 to me!
codrus (Forum Supporter) said:Are you going to test the RCE?
The photo they show looks a lot like an R7 -- is this really a new tire, or is it just a rebadged R7 like the SM7 is?
No plans to ATM. They are claimed to be bespoke for each class, so the value of a test is limited. Sizes are also limited.
We *are* looking to do a more comprehensive full-line Hoosier test, though. Similar to what we did with Yokohama last year. Now that the TAP is out, inquiring minds want to know what each step does for them. TAP->R7->A7->slick.
One of the biggest challenges to adoption of amateur racing is tire costs. I ran in both SM and SRF, and to be competitive meant throwing down $1200/weekend on Hoosiers because they were only fast for 6-8 heat cycles depending on conditions. The treaded Hankooks on my Radical SR1 get roughly double the life for the same cost. Not sure how these new ones are designed but I hope they're more like the latter and less like the former.
It sounds like these tires are designed with life in mind, but I’m just going off their info.
Andy Hollis said:codrus (Forum Supporter) said:Are you going to test the RCE?
The photo they show looks a lot like an R7 -- is this really a new tire, or is it just a rebadged R7 like the SM7 is?
No plans to ATM. They are claimed to be bespoke for each class, so the value of a test is limited. Sizes are also limited.
We *are* looking to do a more comprehensive full-line Hoosier test, though. Similar to what we did with Yokohama last year. Now that the TAP is out, inquiring minds want to know what each step does for them. TAP->R7->A7->slick.
Looking forward to the Hoosier test. The class I'm involved with is having to switch from slicks to DOT starting next season. Really interested to hear some info between the slick and a7/r7, as well as between the two DOT offerings. Apparently, the compounds are really similar between the slick and DOT, the main difference being a stiffer sidewall on the DOT.
grafmiata said:Looking forward to the Hoosier test. The class I'm involved with is having to switch from slicks to DOT starting next season. Really interested to hear some info between the slick and a7/r7, as well as between the two DOT offerings. Apparently, the compounds are really similar between the slick and DOT, the main difference being a stiffer sidewall on the DOT.
Have heard the same from folks that have tried both and also from folks within Hoosier. The other difference is weight...the slicks are lighter because they do not need to meet FMVSS139 street tire puncture resistance regs required for the DOT stamp.
As we found out with the previous Yokohama "vertical taste test", the challenge with slicks is specificity. Unlike A7/R7, which are application agnostic, slicks are typically designed with specific vehicles/classes in mind. That affects which compounds they come in and also some construction metrics for load.
We are eyeing the "hillclimb" version of the 240/610-17 radial slick which comes in both Soft and Medium Soft compounds. They also have a road racing version which comes only in a Medium Hard compound, so it can easily last a whole race consistently on a GT car.
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