The STX thread!
09-30-2010, 03:30 PM
#1376
Actually, Weather Underground pegs both the 7th and 8th about the same - peak and average temps were about the same (peak on Tues, 79; peak on Wed, 78).
The difference was, Wed was overcast and the wind was stronger, so it felt colder to us humans. But the starting temps for the tires were very similar.
It was harder to keep the tires warm on Wed, however, due to the wind & lack of sun.
[edit] So it would seem that the 'kooks start to fall off in the 60s.
The difference was, Wed was overcast and the wind was stronger, so it felt colder to us humans. But the starting temps for the tires were very similar.
It was harder to keep the tires warm on Wed, however, due to the wind & lack of sun.
[edit] So it would seem that the 'kooks start to fall off in the 60s.
Last edited by GeorgeH; 09-30-2010 at 03:34 PM.
09-30-2010, 04:55 PM
#1380
I had a full wrap blanket setup and didn't use it. I tested with/without it at the Lincoln MiDiv event where it was about the same temps but windier and my times were better when I didn't use it. I also had plenty of offers for a codriver and didn't feel hampered by not choosing one. I never felt like the car was hampered on the first few turns of the first run either, at Lincoln or anywhere else. That was never the course area that I hit cones or made mistakes. If I had two "excuses" for the Finale/Nats they would be that (1) I just plain drove poorly -tunnel vision, not looking ahead, seemed to loose my bearing on where I was at on the course and (2) I failed to recognize that my overall setup was too loose in steady state cornering - front swaybar not stiff enough.
Furthermore, when I tried the R1R tires it wasn't at all like they stuck in the first few corners and then got progressively worse. The car was squirrelly from the very first turn on cold tires whereas the RS3s weren't. I doubt they overheated in 5 seconds of straighline acceleration. I'm not saying they suck on an RX-8 either, but rather they clearly need a different setup that I neither had the time or inclination to pursue right before Nats. Even though they were already mounted up on another setup of SSR wheels I didn't bother bringing them to Lincoln. IMO, KJ made the right decision to not put them on. If you look at STR Ken on the R1Rs had several RS3 drivers all over him, just different drivers different days. My only point with that is you can't read too much into the results as it's often more a matter of who makes the fewest mistakes rather than who actually has the fastest car/tires/etc.
Furthermore, when I tried the R1R tires it wasn't at all like they stuck in the first few corners and then got progressively worse. The car was squirrelly from the very first turn on cold tires whereas the RS3s weren't. I doubt they overheated in 5 seconds of straighline acceleration. I'm not saying they suck on an RX-8 either, but rather they clearly need a different setup that I neither had the time or inclination to pursue right before Nats. Even though they were already mounted up on another setup of SSR wheels I didn't bother bringing them to Lincoln. IMO, KJ made the right decision to not put them on. If you look at STR Ken on the R1Rs had several RS3 drivers all over him, just different drivers different days. My only point with that is you can't read too much into the results as it's often more a matter of who makes the fewest mistakes rather than who actually has the fastest car/tires/etc.
09-30-2010, 05:23 PM
#1381
Oh, and in today's FastTrack news it looks like the STX bodywork change proposal (bumper covers, wings/spoilers, etc.) had the implementation date changed to 1-1-2012 at the soonest. Frankly I think the whole thing is way overblown as far as splitters/wings/spoilers go. They need to make sure a reasonable facsimile of a bumper cover is used, but that's it.
09-30-2010, 05:34 PM
#1382
Registered
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: redondo beach, ca
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wednesday was definitely cooler than Tuesday, I think about 7* as mentioned. Tuesday's improvements came from learning the car and just getting the crap out of my system - driving better. That was the morning I almost put the Toyos on the car.
I had the second fastest "real STX" East course time - Neal got me by a tenth there. The West course was tougher for me and I think tougher for the RX8 in general - there were several areas you just had to slow down for a lot and you know how the RX8 accelerates. Karl just barely nipped me on the West course, but we were both 1/2 second back from the BMW.
I had the second fastest "real STX" East course time - Neal got me by a tenth there. The West course was tougher for me and I think tougher for the RX8 in general - there were several areas you just had to slow down for a lot and you know how the RX8 accelerates. Karl just barely nipped me on the West course, but we were both 1/2 second back from the BMW.
09-30-2010, 05:43 PM
#1383
I'm not sure how this conversation got changed from a reccomendation to racers in cooler climates to what was optimal at nats this year. I agree - leaving the 'kooks on was the right choice, and in the end it was driving skill that took the day anyway.
All I've said, and Chike as validated, is that below a certain ambient temperature, the 'kooks absolutely suck on the first run. Nats was not cool enough to show that behavior.
If you haven't run the RS-3s below, say, 60 degrees or so, you haven't experienced it.
The only reason I brought this up to begin with is that for a single driver in a cooler climate who isn't building up for a run at nats, they might enjoy the sport more on Dunlops, Bridgestones, or Yoks. In my experience & opinion.
All I've said, and Chike as validated, is that below a certain ambient temperature, the 'kooks absolutely suck on the first run. Nats was not cool enough to show that behavior.
If you haven't run the RS-3s below, say, 60 degrees or so, you haven't experienced it.
The only reason I brought this up to begin with is that for a single driver in a cooler climate who isn't building up for a run at nats, they might enjoy the sport more on Dunlops, Bridgestones, or Yoks. In my experience & opinion.
10-01-2010, 07:39 AM
#1390
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Interesting comment on the yoks, I found them to tolerate as much heat as I could generate, but not liking the cold much at all. I'd think that would be
magnified on cars 250 lbs heavier, but what do I know. The re-11s worked best in the cold for me, but they'd always fall off more and more after the first run. I'm loving them temp flexibility of the dunlops, though they're not the ultimate cold or hot tire IMO.
magnified on cars 250 lbs heavier, but what do I know. The re-11s worked best in the cold for me, but they'd always fall off more and more after the first run. I'm loving them temp flexibility of the dunlops, though they're not the ultimate cold or hot tire IMO.
10-02-2010, 09:27 AM
#1395
I used them at Nationals for the first time (with limit testing due a busted shock a week before) and my co-driver ended up 15th (T). Granted, we were running one of the BMW 328is', but we had no problem with them being sloppy or any sort of poor feel. Had no problem spinning the tires and the only issue we had (which RX-8s won't) is fender clearance. I'm going to play with these a bit more next season and try to compare them some with RS-3s. I believe it's between Dunlops and Hankooks for the best STX tire right now. I've run AD08s all this season (255x17) and though I've been impressed, no more so than with the Dunlops. As a note, the AD08s are SPECTACULAR in the rain.
10-05-2010, 09:55 AM
#1396
Just to add to the wet-weather tire discussion, the Nov issue of GRM did a wet weather test, and the Conti ExtremeContact DW crushed the R1R in the wet, by over 1 second, on a 30 second course. This, on an STR MX-5.
They didn't mention conditions, but the pictures make it look like it was fairly warm. The water was courtesy of sprinklers, and it looks like there was a fair amount on the track, so water evacuation may have been more important than outright grip.
Just one test, but another data point. Chike, keep those Contis!
They didn't mention conditions, but the pictures make it look like it was fairly warm. The water was courtesy of sprinklers, and it looks like there was a fair amount on the track, so water evacuation may have been more important than outright grip.
Just one test, but another data point. Chike, keep those Contis!
10-05-2010, 01:03 PM
#1397
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just to add to the wet-weather tire discussion, the Nov issue of GRM did a wet weather test, and the Conti ExtremeContact DW crushed the R1R in the wet, by over 1 second, on a 30 second course. This, on an STR MX-5.
They didn't mention conditions, but the pictures make it look like it was fairly warm. The water was courtesy of sprinklers, and it looks like there was a fair amount on the track, so water evacuation may have been more important than outright grip.
Just one test, but another data point. Chike, keep those Contis!
They didn't mention conditions, but the pictures make it look like it was fairly warm. The water was courtesy of sprinklers, and it looks like there was a fair amount on the track, so water evacuation may have been more important than outright grip.
Just one test, but another data point. Chike, keep those Contis!
The test conditions were:
9 year old, well used asphalt
75-80 degrees, 10-15 mph winds, mostly sunny
Water depth on our track is just a few mm in most places, similar to a crowned road surface under "normal" rain conditions. We have a couple of spots around the track that do puddle, so you can get a feel for the hydroplaning resistance but primarily the results point out tire compound and construction differences.
Chris H
aka
Trent@TireRack.com
10-05-2010, 01:10 PM
#1398
Row faster, I hear banjos
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good info George. I haven't received my November issue of GRM yet, but I'll be sure to give it a read.
GRM has this video from their STR MX-5 wet tire test on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVjkOuvI5jc
P.S. I did my final DC region points event this past Sunday and my temp indicator showed 61F during the STX run group. I got my BSL co-driver from last year to be my co-driver/tire warmer and it helped a ton. We both felt the Hankooks didn't come up to a decent grip level until our 2nd runs and they were best on our 4th and final runs. I ended up winning the class by just over 1 second.
GRM has this video from their STR MX-5 wet tire test on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVjkOuvI5jc
P.S. I did my final DC region points event this past Sunday and my temp indicator showed 61F during the STX run group. I got my BSL co-driver from last year to be my co-driver/tire warmer and it helped a ton. We both felt the Hankooks didn't come up to a decent grip level until our 2nd runs and they were best on our 4th and final runs. I ended up winning the class by just over 1 second.
10-05-2010, 01:13 PM
#1400
Row faster, I hear banjos
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 2,217
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
George -
The test conditions were:
9 year old, well used asphalt
75-80 degrees, 10-15 mph winds, mostly sunny
Water depth on our track is just a few mm in most places, similar to a crowned road surface under "normal" rain conditions. We have a couple of spots around the track that do puddle, so you can get a feel for the hydroplaning resistance but primarily the results point out tire compound and construction differences.
Chris H
aka
Trent@TireRack.com
The test conditions were:
9 year old, well used asphalt
75-80 degrees, 10-15 mph winds, mostly sunny
Water depth on our track is just a few mm in most places, similar to a crowned road surface under "normal" rain conditions. We have a couple of spots around the track that do puddle, so you can get a feel for the hydroplaning resistance but primarily the results point out tire compound and construction differences.
Chris H
aka
Trent@TireRack.com