(lack of) warranty from TireRack

amg_rx7 wrote: Hatzenbach, Who do you run with and what group do you run in (intermediate, advanced, instructor)? Just curious since we both have cars with good chassis and I've never killed this type of tire the way you said you did. Hopefully I don't either. :)

Ok, looks like the general direction of this discussion changed away from "this guy's a moron" - much obliged

I run mostly with PCA-GGR (Porsche Club of America - Golden Gate Region), NCRC and sometimes with Coastal Driving, so we might already have met at an NCRC event I hear good things about Golden Gate Lotus and plan to attend one of their events one of these days. BTW: The good thing about running with PCA is that only Porsche drivers look down on your "not a real Porsche" Boxster, it hurts much more when it comes from Corvette and Infinity drivers Depending on the organization I run with I am somewhere between Intermediate and Advanced. About the 924/944, I know that most people think that a 914 or a Boxster are not real Porsches, for me REAL Porsches have a flat-4 or flat-6 located BEHIND the driver, which means that this rules out the 9x4 for me.

About the alignment: If the definition of a good alignment is that the car handles neutral and the tires wear evenly on the in/outside then I'd guess that all the money which went to Ken @ Sporttech for working on my alignment was well invested (the Dunlops chunked in the MIDDLE, not the outside), so yes, tire pressure comes to mind ... OR as I still don't stop to believe a faulty tire, but let's close the door on this part of the discussion for the time being, I already got enough of a beating from you guys in the last few days

At this point Boxsterbuddy seems to be the one in need of nomex underwear.

I certainly would not look down on a Boxster as "not a real Porsche" (I will say the Cayenne is not a real Porsche). Frankly, it and the 914 are the two best chassis Porsche has built. They just refuse to put the good engines in it and the Cayman because they don't want the 911s eclipsed.

Since you run with NCRC, are you planning to be at Thunderhill with them at the end of this month? My dad and I will both be there on Sunday.

GGL is a fun club. Waaaaay more track time at their events than with any other group.

Hatzenbach wrote: Ok, looks like the general direction of this discussion changed away from "this guy's a moron" - much obliged ... OR as I still don't stop to believe a faulty tire, but let's close the door on this part of the discussion for the time being, I already got enough of a beating from you guys in the last few days

you could well be correct about the tire being defective .... that having been said, all the previous posts are still valid..... neither Tire Rack nor Dunlop will replace the tire without a heck of a lot of convincing .... were it me I'd jump on the 50%....

Salanis wrote: At this point Boxsterbuddy seems to be the one in need of nomex underwear. I certainly would not look down on a Boxster as "not a real Porsche" (I will say the Cayenne is not a real Porsche). Frankly, it and the 914 are the two best chassis Porsche has built. They just refuse to put the good engines in it and the Cayman because they don't want the 911s eclipsed.

I'm like an astronuat. I wear nomex diapers so I'm prepared at anytime.

I would argue niether 914 or Boxster in stock form have outstanding chassis or even decent suspensions. 914's dont hold tires down to pavement effectively and twist like crazy prior to being caged. Boxster without a cage welded in is a flexy flyer just like 914. Their primary advantages are the fact that they are lighter than equivelent 911 or 996/97 and they have engine in the middle. You couldnt even get a factory LSD option in a Boxster up until just recently!

Cayman is the car with the better chassis, motor, suspension, etc. Rear suspension is still a little weak but overall its a very capable car. I'd venture to say its one of the best production car chassis out there. I'm also huge fan of the GT3.

Now back to tires. I think Tire Rack acted in good faith and did proper thing. At least hatzenbach was honest and said it happened on the track. I would have said I was driving up a hot mountain pass to top of Mt. Hamilton. Weather has been hot and that drive is capable of generating similar conditions to THill. Warranty problem solved.

I will also say I dont like these Dunlops. They are great for cold weather events but my expereince with them has been not good in hot weather. They overheat easily. Had them on my Mazdaspeed and they became hot gummy donuts in no time at AX events. They were great for my mountainous commute in 50 to 70 degree weather. Great stickage for daily street driving. I prefer Bridgestones RE01 or RE11 for AX.

Chassis and model are different things. Most manufacturers will build multiple different cars on the same chassis. Sometimes cars from different (but partnered) manufacturers will share a chassis.

The Boxster and Cayman are both built on the Boxster chassis. It is a great chassis.

boxsterbuddy wrote: I would have said I was driving up a hot mountain pass to top of Mt. Hamilton. Weather has been hot and that drive is capable of generating similar conditions to THill. Warranty problem solved.

Heck a spirted run up Jamison Creek Rd could do that...

Salanis wrote: Since you run with NCRC, are you planning to be at Thunderhill with them at the end of this month? My dad and I will both be there on Sunday.

Nope, won't make it As I appreciate the need to buy dedicated track wheels (no kidding) my budget took a hit. And therefore the only event left on my calendar for this year is Infineon (a.k.a. SEARS Point) with PCA GGR in the fall.

I've been to Thunderhill, Buttonwillow and Laguna Seca many times, but never to Infineon, so I need to get that our of my system this year

Enjoy it! I really like Infineon. Especially in a momentum/handling car, like the Miata. It is such a fabulously technical track. I've only run it with NASA though. And fields there are so deep, that it can get frustrating.

As I recall, PCA charges more than I want to spend for an event though.

Laguna Seca remains my favorite track in the region.

The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is Dunlop's Extreme Performance Summer tire developed ... for use in autocross, drifting and track events.

Designed for, not warrantied against the abuse associated with. If you buy puncture resistant tires, then deliberately drive the wrong way over those "treadles" in parking lots, you can't get your money back for them.

Just like puncture resistant tires, they are designed to perform better than normal when punctured. Race tires are designed to perform better than normal in race situations. Expecting a warranty after you've abused tires on a track is like expecting your money back if you take a puncture resistant tire back the dealer with a pick-axe through the tread.

Just because you buy a Jeep doesn't mean they'll warranty damage that you get when you roll it 6 times at Moab.

Hatz

I haven't been out to the track much this year. Breaking in a new motor and tranny. Racing LeMons this weekend and then will be back to driving events in Sept once biz travel stops. Hopefully will see you around.

BTW - the Boxster is my favorite Porsche. :)