Challenge issue just discovered (tires)

I just got back from the tire shop where I went to have our Hoosier A6s mounted for the Challenge. As you can imagine, I bought them used. Come to find out, 1 of the 4 has such a chewed up inner lip that it won't hold air. They are 225/40/13, which took me forever to find used, as it isn't exactly a common size.

Any suggestions on what to do next? Does anyone happen to have some 13" A6s available at a reasonable price?? I'm desperate at this point.

One fallback option is some used Toyo Proxes RA1s that I have, thanks to friend of GRM Lee Graser. I think that tire is more commonly road raced though. Does anyone know how it will autocross? The other downside is that they are only 205, instead of the 225 Hoosiers (which run wide to boot). I hate to give up that much tread width but may have to.

Ah the joys of scrounging in order to stay within Challenge budget.

post a WTB on SCCAforums or RoadRaceAutox.com?

slime?

RTV the berkeley out of it? yes, i'm serious. use the bead-breaker to push the bead away from the lip of the rim, shoot a generous bead of RTV between the tire bead and the rim lip, wait a few minutes for the RTV to tack up a little, then gently inflate the tire to seat the bead. maybe even follow that with a can of slime if you're super-paranoid.

it's the challenge, dude. and it's the inboard bead, so it's not going to see the same de-beading forces as an outboard bead, because it's only loaded in the de-bead direction when it's also being unloaded by weight transfer due to cornering force.

AngryCorvair wrote: it's the challenge, dude. and it's the inboard bead, so it's not going to see the same de-beading forces as an outboard bead, because it's only loaded in the de-bead direction when it's also being unloaded by weight transfer due to cornering force.

Plus - you aren't going to get hurt in a parking lot if it fails and... they give a prize for spectacular failure too, right?

hell, you could probably accomplish the same thing with a few coats of rubber cement, if you don't want the RTV to be stuck all over the inside of your rim.

just make sure you mount it on the lighter end of the car. FWD? put it on the rear. RWD? i'd probably still put it on the rear due to the lower slip angles of it being the non-steering end.

Didn't think about trying to "glue" it on. I'll look at the tire again and see if it looks like that would hold.

Anyone have any experience autocrossing on the Toyo's?

They're good, but not great when compared to the A6s.

If all else fails, maybe figure out which way the course goes and put the one Toyo on the least loaded corner?

I ran RA-1s on my A2 GTI for a season. They didn't have the grip of my 235 Hoosiers, but a lot better than street tires. They seemed to have a very predictable traction curve. I noticed the difference in sidewall height more than grip.

Per Schroeder wrote: They're good, but not great when compared to the A6s.

Thanks for the feedback. Given that, I'll do everything possible to get that biotch to hold some air!

I may have some A008Rs in the attic in that size. Shoot me a text or call me at Eight1seven, seven9eight, five1three3 if you're interested. They were given to me, and I refuse to sell them, as they were given in good faith and I'm going to pass that along. They've been up for grabs for a while now, so fair market value is $0.

Cone_Junky wrote: I ran RA-1s on my A2 GTI for a season. They didn't have the grip of my 235 Hoosiers, but a lot better than street tires. They seemed to have a very predictable traction curve. I noticed the difference in sidewall height more than grip.

Aside from being lower on overall grip, the RA-1s also heat up a lot more slowly than A6s. When I autocrossed on them, I wouldn't see full heat/grip until my 6th or 7th run (which was 2 or 3 runs into fun runs...)

--Ian

unevolved wrote: I may have some A008Rs in the attic in that size. Shoot me a text or call me at Eight1seven, seven9eight, five1three3 if you're interested. They were given to me, and I refuse to sell them, as they were given in good faith and I'm going to pass that along. They've been up for grabs for a while now, so fair market value is $0.

if dyintorace doesn't want them I'd LOVE to get them... I'm trying to get one more season of 13" goodness before I put on some larger front brakes and have to switch to 15" rims for everything ( 13" on track )

unevolved wrote: I may have some A008Rs in the attic in that size. Shoot me a text or call me at Eight1seven, seven9eight, five1three3 if you're interested. They were given to me, and I refuse to sell them, as they were given in good faith and I'm going to pass that along. They've been up for grabs for a while now, so fair market value is $0.

Thanks for the offer. You're heading this way for the event, right?

I like the RTV idea. Nice. Post up what you end up doing and how it worked out for you.

Put a tube in it and get on with it !

Taiden wrote: I like the RTV idea. Nice. Post up what you end up doing and how it worked out for you.

This may be the solution. We're going to look more closely at the tire tonight and decide what to do.

dyintorace wrote:

unevolved wrote: I may have some A008Rs in the attic in that size. Shoot me a text or call me at Eight1seven, seven9eight, five1three3 if you're interested. They were given to me, and I refuse to sell them, as they were given in good faith and I'm going to pass that along. They've been up for grabs for a while now, so fair market value is $0.

Thanks for the offer. You're heading this way for the event, right?

Yup.

Contact cement works well on tires. We used to do this on dirt track tires when tubes weren't allowed.

What bolt pattern? I'm a dick for offering up wheels & tires that don't belong to me, but I'm also the chairman and ceo of hong norrth (hair club for men) so....look for a black glh. Bolt pattern is weird (non 4 x 100.)

I wonder if Fix-a-Flat or that green slime E36 M3 would work? I hate that crap but anything in a pinch.

I too would just put a tube in and forgetaboudit.

tire bead sealer - it's kind of like silicone, but thicker and goopier (if that were a word)

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_x_16910014-P_x_x?cm_mmc=CSE--Google--VALUE3-_-VALUE4&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=

I used the clear gutter sealer sold at Home Depot once years back at a race. Worked great. Dismounting was fun a couple weeks later but hay.

I like putting a tube in it. Probably the best and safest way

Flogger00 wrote: tire bead sealer - it's kind of like silicone, but thicker and goopier (if that were a word) http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_x_16910014-P_x_x?cm_mmc=CSE-_-Google-_-VALUE3-_-VALUE4&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=

And there is an Advance across the street from me! I think this will be my first shot. I just bought contact cement, so that's an option too. Thanks folks. I appreciate all the thoughts & ideas!