Hoosier released a new tire size for the RX8's last year, I believe the size was 255/35-18

can anyone verify that?

 

It was tried and killed quickly by a number of people. I think all of them went back to the 285 or 245. For some reason it got real bad edge wear.

 

+1 edj and Soloseven both noted the "groove of doom". Most had to run ridiculously high pressures to get reasonable tire life out of a set.

 

I liked the handling better with them though. Wish I had run a set at Nats instead ....

 

After reading all the tire issues with the 255's I am ordering a set of 245/35-18's.

I have chosen the skinnier tire due to the fact my local events are on a narrow course with very few (if any) large sweepers.

 

On a transition heavy course the 245's are right there with the 285's. On a course with long sweepers (like both the East & West courses at Nats last year), the 245's definitely give up time to the 285's. Zach H. and I were talking during our work assignment at Nats last year, and we both felt I was giving up at least a 1/2 second per day by running on the smaller tire. I also found the 245's were overheating during the course of a single 60 second run -- the extra tire "mass" of the 285 is definitely an advantage on concrete.

If I were to run stock again, I'd go with the 285's only.

 

bump...any more updates on the 255? anyone run them last season? i ran the 285s last year and liked them, but wasn't a huge fan of the transitional response. problem is that half our events are on a transition-heavy runway; half are at sweeper-heavy Citizens' Bank Park.

right now i'm thinking about either the 245/35 or the 285/30. the 245 is 3 lbs lighter than the 285 as well.

 

Mike, last season how many runs did you put on your Hoosiers?

 

easily 100+...probably closer to 130+. with 2 drivers running 4-5 runs each for 13 events, plus Toledo with 2 drivers, they've got some mileage.

they are in fine shape (tons of rubber left), but have definitely fallen off in grip. still very serviceable and not awful to drive on...still a hell of a lot better than my Yoko AD07 street tires. with the kid coming in May, i'll only be doing a few events in 2011 and have no doubt they can get me through. i'm astounded at how easy this car is on tires.

 

Gotcha. Then you're probably best off staying on 285's. My 245 A6's never lasted that long -- they would typically cord around 100 runs (less if we ran on concrete a bunch).

 

wow. i was thinking of going narrower for the benefit in feel and transitions, but based on that i guess i'll stick with the 285s.

i wish i could convince myself to go back to street tires, but i am addicted to the purple crack now.