Burnouts, blisters and the new BFGoodrich Phenom T/A

The Sonoma Setup

Sonoma Raceway is one of those bucket-list tracks that punches way above its weight. It’s got elevation, blind crests, camber changes and just enough runoff to make you second-guess your life choices. Nestled in wine country, it feels like racing through a postcard–until you’re halfway through Turn 6 wondering if that late braking point was actually a terrible idea.

The crew from Skip Barber had a fleet of Mustangs prepped and ready to go. Each one was strapped with the new BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A, a 380-treadwear summer performance tire aimed squarely at the tuner market enthusiast who still wants to rip through a canyon or autocross on the weekend. We’re told that more than 50 sizes are currently offered, with rim diameters from 16 to 20 inches.

On paper, the Phenom promises better dry grip, improved wet performance and a more connected driving feel. Cool. But paper doesn’t feel g-loads or hear tires scream. That’s what I was there for. I had an off weekend as my LS-powered RX-7 was still in pieces.

The Classroom–Kinda

Before we hit the track, the Skip Barber instructors ran us through some high-performance driving theory–stuff about weight transfer, vision and braking zones. I was trying to listen, but my brain was already lapping the course.

We ran a mix of autocross drills, lead-follows and open laps, each time pushing harder, braking later, turning sharper. The tires never flinched. They bit into the pavement like they had something to prove.

On the autocross course, for a non-competition tire, the Phenom UHPs felt razor sharp. Turn-in was immediate. It didn’t feel like I was waiting for grip–I just had it. Slide the car around? Sure. But it was all predictable. Controlled chaos, with just enough edge to make it fun.

The Real Test

But the true test came during hot laps. Sonoma doesn’t hand out forgiveness. You earn every inch. The surface was warm, the tires were hot, and my right foot was getting cocky.

I went in hot into Turn 10, a fast right-hander that punishes hesitation. Tires held. I pushed harder. They held again. No drama. Just grip. I could feel the car communicating through the seat, through the wheel, through the tires. That “connected” feeling BFGoodrich was bragging about? It’s real.

No tire squeal symphony. No understeer chorus. Just smooth, confident feedback, the kind that makes you feel like a hero–until you remember you’ve still got a team of instructors at each turn studying your every move.

The biggest takeaway is the tire’s predictability. During the skidpad and wet track sessions, I could quickly get the car to limit–hear it and feel it. There was no inconsistency. You get so much feedback through the slight squeal of the tire and the steering wheel. I never had any “Oh crap!” moments when driving.

Strong initial bite, too–sharp and responsive as soon as you get on the brakes. It feels immediate and communicative. Good, solid feedback when trail braking, too, allowing you to smoothly transfer weight. And even after repeated braking zones, grip remained high.

The Wrap-Up

By the end of the day, my body was sore and I couldn’t stop smiling. I hadn’t just driven a new tire, I had lived with it for a day. I gave it heat, stress, g’s and punishment. And the Phenom took it all in stride.

No, it’s not a dedicated track tire. But that’s not the point. It’s a real street tire with real chops. The kind of rubber you can daily without compromise–especially in the wet–but still trust when the roads get twisty or the track calls your name.

And honestly? That’s the dream for many of us.

Final Thoughts From Seat 15D

So here I am, back at the airport, sore in places I didn’t know could be sore, waiting for my connecting flight and rewatching track footage on my phone like some kind of debrief-addicted lunatic.

Would I go back and do it again? In a heartbeat. The combo of a legendary track, badass instructors and tires that punch way above their price point? That’s a weekend I’d sign up for twice.