SoCal Rebell
Enthusiast
John, do you know what the treadwear rating is? Might be perfect timing for Open Track Challenge if on or over 140.
Michelin Sport Cup tires update!!!!! Not good for Viper Days
- Thread starter SoCal Rebell
- Start date
Hoosier Daddy
Enthusiast
Stay home and cry, cause the SocalRebel is going to put you away this year. I heard he has been practicing.
SoCal Rebell
Enthusiast
Hey Alen, how's the snow piling up
? I had a great couple of days at the track last week.
SSpeed Racer and I are a "team" in the OTC competition although I may contibute a little next year unlike last year.
SSpeed Racer and I are a "team" in the OTC competition although I may contibute a little next year unlike last year.
SSpeed Racer
Enthusiast
Allen I do thank you for your insight.
![laughing2[1].gif](/vca/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fvca1.viperclub.org%2Fubb%2Fsmilies%2Flaughing2%5B1%5D.gif&hash=44ede181bdbbbb16a006ddd7153c47a2)
But I think its going to take more than PRACTICE to get rebell to stick to my bumper!!!(just kidding)
Im still curious how Viper Days is going to handle this. It does not effect east coast guys because there will still be snow on the ground in March. But our first event is in January. I can see all the VRL driver on the track on street tires!!!
You know this year no "Hoosiers"....Daddy will be allowed at the track because of Michelin.....so that means YOU!!!!
Happy Holidays!!!!
Im still curious how Viper Days is going to handle this. It does not effect east coast guys because there will still be snow on the ground in March. But our first event is in January. I can see all the VRL driver on the track on street tires!!!
You know this year no "Hoosiers"....Daddy will be allowed at the track because of Michelin.....so that means YOU!!!!
Happy Holidays!!!!
Hoosier Daddy
Enthusiast
Maybe a new moniker is in the works "Michelin yo Momma"
Sonny 00 GTS ACR
Enthusiast
The rules haven't been posted yet, but I'm not too concerned. My snow tires have been working all winter - I'll just bring 'em to Willow Springs!
SSpeed Racer
Enthusiast
Here is an e-mail I got from Michelin about the Sport cup tires..........
The folks at Michelin have been out of the office on annual business
meetings, and have just now had a chance to follow up on this request.
Pilot Sport Cup tires in sizes for the Viper should be available for
sale sometime around March or April of 2003. Sizes will be: 315/30ZR18
(98Y)
345/30ZR18 (104Y)
Well OK.......
How is this going to effect the Modified classes and Unlimited Classes in 2003? What tires are we going to run?
I cant imagine unlimited and modified classes running on Stock Michelins!! Or in that case the Viper racing League or the Comp Coupe cars running on good ole stock tires!!!
What options do we have??
Just my 2 cents
John Dearing
The folks at Michelin have been out of the office on annual business
meetings, and have just now had a chance to follow up on this request.
Pilot Sport Cup tires in sizes for the Viper should be available for
sale sometime around March or April of 2003. Sizes will be: 315/30ZR18
(98Y)
345/30ZR18 (104Y)
Well OK.......
How is this going to effect the Modified classes and Unlimited Classes in 2003? What tires are we going to run?
I cant imagine unlimited and modified classes running on Stock Michelins!! Or in that case the Viper racing League or the Comp Coupe cars running on good ole stock tires!!!
What options do we have??
Just my 2 cents
John Dearing
pdmracing
Enthusiast
I had a free set & tested them @ road atlanta a couple months ago & posted the results here.search for the post for more specifics. They were for my porsche & I will check my trailer for the treadwear tonite & post.
My observations & since they were released to Porsche Sizes first, the PCA club racers has a (relitively) a lot of miles on em.
1) Drivers ed guys swear buy them, the racers swear at them.
2) Unshaven, forget it
3) they like low low pressures
4) They run small, IE) a 245 Cup = 225 hoosier tread width
5) Unshaven they last forever, so they make a good novice tire
6) I tested unshaven & although after experimenting with hot pressures, we did get the lap times down to Khumo levels but it was a scary ride. It took me all day to get the confidence to go flat in a few places that , normally on street pilots, I wouldnt think twice. The low tire pressures made for sidewall flex & a weird sensation on turn in, once hot the would stick.
7)tested on a 2700 lb car with 200 HP, Maybee the vipers weight & hp will allow a higer starting pressure & less sidewall flex
8)I stuck with the hoosiers & are using the cup for interm. rain tires.
9) The guys I know who like them say it takes 5 laps or so to come in
10) none of the fast guys in our last 3 club races used them,(VIR, Carolina, Roebling) the winners all had hoosiers.
My observations & since they were released to Porsche Sizes first, the PCA club racers has a (relitively) a lot of miles on em.
1) Drivers ed guys swear buy them, the racers swear at them.
2) Unshaven, forget it
3) they like low low pressures
4) They run small, IE) a 245 Cup = 225 hoosier tread width
5) Unshaven they last forever, so they make a good novice tire
6) I tested unshaven & although after experimenting with hot pressures, we did get the lap times down to Khumo levels but it was a scary ride. It took me all day to get the confidence to go flat in a few places that , normally on street pilots, I wouldnt think twice. The low tire pressures made for sidewall flex & a weird sensation on turn in, once hot the would stick.
7)tested on a 2700 lb car with 200 HP, Maybee the vipers weight & hp will allow a higer starting pressure & less sidewall flex
8)I stuck with the hoosiers & are using the cup for interm. rain tires.
9) The guys I know who like them say it takes 5 laps or so to come in
10) none of the fast guys in our last 3 club races used them,(VIR, Carolina, Roebling) the winners all had hoosiers.
SoCal Rebell
Enthusiast
Thanks for the great reply and all the info. I'm REALLY interested in the treadwear rating as the lowest we can run at OTC is 140. Hopefully they will be available by April 6th (start date). Since you've had experience with these tires do you think they will last for 7 track days? 4 sessions a day, track only we'd put the pilots on to drive between tracks.
K Adelberg
Enthusiast
Hey Sonny,
Got any used snow tires?
Got any used snow tires?
pdmracing
Enthusiast
I think I did 550 miles total over 3 separate days & they look brand new. Again they were unshaven. When I get home tonite I will check the tread wear rating for you.
Tom Glenn
Enthusiast
I got to run a set of Michelin Cup tires on Phil Goglias' Viper at the finals (Texas World). Once I got the air pressure right (34lbs hot) I thought they performed as well as Hoosiers. I really liked that they seemed to give more notice than Hoosiers before letting go. The treadwear rating is 80.
Sonny 00 GTS ACR
Enthusiast
Sure Ken, they're studded though, but the sparks are cool! I'll make you a deal.
pdmracing
Enthusiast
the treadwear is 80, On our low powered race car they were almost 1.7 seconds slower then the hoosiers @ R/A
WCKDVPR
Viper Owner
I have been in contact with Skip over the past few months regarding the tire status for unlimited class as the allowed tires have been changed each year the last few years. 2001 unlimited could run Goodyear slicks. 2002 no Goodyears but Hoosiers. 2003 looks like only Michelin DOTs. The bummer is each requires a different rear wheel size (Purner - are you behind this?
) and a different chassis set up. Here is the latest reply from Skip on 11/11/2002:
"Mike,
The Michelin Challenge Series will be for Michelin DOT tires
exclusively. Either the Pilots or new Cups. We are awaiting pricing and availability. I have forward this to Brian from Michelin for his knowledge.
See you in 80 days!!!
Skip"
I feel sorry for the guys who buy Comp Coupes to run in unlimited and have to run a different height street tire on their race car or not score points / get to go to finals.
Everyone have a happy and safe holiday!
Regards,
"Mike,
The Michelin Challenge Series will be for Michelin DOT tires
exclusively. Either the Pilots or new Cups. We are awaiting pricing and availability. I have forward this to Brian from Michelin for his knowledge.
See you in 80 days!!!
Skip"
I feel sorry for the guys who buy Comp Coupes to run in unlimited and have to run a different height street tire on their race car or not score points / get to go to finals.
Everyone have a happy and safe holiday!
Regards,
Janni
Enthusiast
It is my understanding that the Unlimited / Comp Coupes will be its own class and will run like they were delivered - i.e. with the new Hoosier race tire - NOT a Michelin. This will be the only exception to a Michelin tire in the Challenge Series.
