Let's see, it starts with my 1995 "b" package NA running in the SCCA, E street. The car has Koni adjustable's, RB solid front bar and 15x6 rims with 205/50 15 RE71R's. What these tires produce in the way of grip overwhelms the shocks. I am required to live with the stock springs. But Bridgestone has a new tire "size" and I might have an advantage in the "less is more" factor.
One of the many advantages of running in the Cal Club region of the SCCA is the number of manufacture rep's and engineers that every once in a while lets it slip that "new" stuff is in the pipeline. No, they can not get you them "early", but if you check the normal supply chain they are on the way. In this case, 195/50 R 15 71R's.
If you have followed the tires that dominated STS in years past this will be nothing more than a History lesson. Yes they have 7.5 wide rims, but they all ran the narrower tire. If anyone has any pull with 949, I would have installed my new tires on their 15x6 rims instead of another set Mazda's stockers.
So the tires are on the rims, are getting installed tomorrow to get a few miles to scrub them in and then only getting used for the competition on Sunday's. The next question, how long will they remain magical?
History say's, less worked really well.
jr02518 wrote: If you have followed the tires that dominated STS in years past this will be nothing more than a History lesson. Yes they have 7.5 wide rims, but they all ran the narrower tire.
That was because the R1R had a favorable tire compound in that size only.
MCarp22 wrote:
jr02518 wrote: If you have followed the tires that dominated STS in years past this will be nothing more than a History lesson. Yes they have 7.5 wide rims, but they all ran the narrower tire.
That was because the R1R had a favorable tire compound in that size only.
Is that still true today of the R1R in 195/50-15?
RedGT
Reader
5/10/16 9:28 a.m.
WildScotsRacing wrote:
MCarp22 wrote:
jr02518 wrote: If you have followed the tires that dominated STS in years past this will be nothing more than a History lesson. Yes they have 7.5 wide rims, but they all ran the narrower tire.
That was because the R1R had a favorable tire compound in that size only.
Is that still true today of the R1R in 195/50-15?
From what I understand, yes. But other stuff is ultimately faster like the RivalS and RE71r. BTW it was not a different compound in the 195, it was the fact that the same compound went all the way to the cords whereas other sizes had a harder layer at 2/32" or something.
I'm not sure what OP means by 'overwhelms the shocks' considering we ran those same shocks with Hoosier A6's (and later RE71r's) and it was not slow. Any stock spring Miata is going to corner on the bump stops unless you get custom valved shocks.
