The BFG g-Force Rival tested out 1 second quicker than the Direzza II at NOLA
03-27-2013, 05:22 PM
#16
Race Director
That's a good choice, as they have "not for highway use" printed right on them. The combination of no tread and thin, lightweight plies means they have very little puncture resistance, and are dangerous in anything more than "moist" conditions.
140tw tires (and soon 200tw) are slowly taking over, at least in SCCA. First it was the ST classes, which exploded in popularity, then RT classes came out of the gate strong last year, and there's a proposal to take R-comps out of Stock with the change to Street class.
12 years ago, Kumho Victoracers were competitive, affordable, and reasonably hard wearing. A great R-comp time. The Hoosier has gotten too soft, too fast wearing, and too expensive to run for too many grassroots enthusiasts. Today's ST tires are just as sticky as the old Victo, with the benefit of being even cheaper and longer lasting, plus you can daily drive them without heat cycling them out. You can even use them in the rain.
Of course, the slope is slippery. In another 12 years tire makers will have figured out how to make a 200tw tire be faster than all getup but only last 20 runs, and we can start all over again.
140tw tires (and soon 200tw) are slowly taking over, at least in SCCA. First it was the ST classes, which exploded in popularity, then RT classes came out of the gate strong last year, and there's a proposal to take R-comps out of Stock with the change to Street class.
12 years ago, Kumho Victoracers were competitive, affordable, and reasonably hard wearing. A great R-comp time. The Hoosier has gotten too soft, too fast wearing, and too expensive to run for too many grassroots enthusiasts. Today's ST tires are just as sticky as the old Victo, with the benefit of being even cheaper and longer lasting, plus you can daily drive them without heat cycling them out. You can even use them in the rain.
Of course, the slope is slippery. In another 12 years tire makers will have figured out how to make a 200tw tire be faster than all getup but only last 20 runs, and we can start all over again.
04-12-2013, 11:54 AM
#19
Drifting
Should be in GRM next month. We're hearing a lot of less formal quantitative data already, too. And it's mixed. People either seem to be a few tenths faster on ZIIs or 1 second faster on Rivals, even when it's the same car. I suspect driving style really matters, and GRM data gleaned by aliens might not actually hold true for the general autocrossing public.
04-13-2013, 12:53 AM
#20
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As has been said, "a lot of talk so far..." With the the first autocross of the season next weekend there is new set of ZII's are sitting in the garage waiting for when I get back. I will post back.
04-29-2013, 09:26 AM
#21
Instructor
I ran 245/40/18 rival's on my 986 Boxster S on 18's yesterday. BFG only had 245's and 275's and I didn't want to make the understeer even worse, so I went with 245 all around. They transformed the car. I still had some understeer if I over cooked the front, but the balance was MUCH better than with the staggered tires previously on the car.
04-29-2013, 07:19 PM
#22
Drifting
National Tour in Dover yesterday didn't shed much light; ZII and Rival both did well. I'm still trying to see a pattern of which is best in which niche.
http://sololive.scca.com/STR.html
http://sololive.scca.com/STU.html
http://sololive.scca.com/RTR.html
http://sololive.scca.com/RTF.html
http://sololive.scca.com/STR.html
http://sololive.scca.com/STU.html
http://sololive.scca.com/RTR.html
http://sololive.scca.com/RTF.html
05-03-2013, 01:48 PM
#23
Race Director
After waffling back and forth about which tires to use this summer at the track I got the G Force Rival R1 mounted yesterday. Now to heat cycle them before I head to the track or an autocross.
One front tire in the front bonnet, a back tire and front in the back area with the rear seats folded down, and the last rear tire in the passenger seat thus no trailer needed.
One front tire in the front bonnet, a back tire and front in the back area with the rear seats folded down, and the last rear tire in the passenger seat thus no trailer needed.
05-03-2013, 06:55 PM
#25
Former Vendor
Thanks for the feedback so far. We are very excited that mother nature is finally letting us all be able to test the ZII against the Rival. Initial reports on the the Rival so far are living up to the hype without much actual testing. We were able to take part in BFG's intro to the tire in New Orleans this spring and our testers were VERY pleased at the Rival's overall performance. The wear specifically was unbelievable compared to what we usually see. Between the Rival, ZII, and RE-11a there should be a tire out there that will cover any type of use right up to hard track driving. None of them will live up to (nor were designed to) the track grip levels of the R1 or Hoosiers, but will come closer than ever for a streetable tire.
Stay tuned.......
Stay tuned.......
05-04-2013, 01:04 PM
#26
Drifting
Damon, when will TireRack's BMW tests be released pitting the Rival, ZII & RE-11a be released? Will Tirerack be comparing them against PSS, RS-3, R1R, AD08 and other favorite performance tires? Or at least comparable enough data that we can compare the results from different test dates?
I'm about ready to suck it up and buy Rivals for my 2nd set of wheels, but want to make they're faster on my 986S than the ZIIs I already have before I do.
I'm about ready to suck it up and buy Rivals for my 2nd set of wheels, but want to make they're faster on my 986S than the ZIIs I already have before I do.
05-08-2013, 06:32 PM
#28
Drifting
If I went 17", I'd go with 225/45ZR17 & 255/40ZR17. My 17" ZIIs are brand new, though, so I'll keep them mounted until they're done.
I plan on getting rivals for my track wheels instead, which are 987-sized 18" OZ Alleggerita HLTs (18x8+57mm & 18x9+43mm). The closest size is 245/40R18 & 275/35R18 which is about a quarter inch taller than OEM. (I used to run 245/35R18 & 285/30R18 Kumho V710s on these wheels) I know Rivals run wide, and am a bit concerned about rubbing in the front. Anyone running 18" rivals yet on a 986 or 996?
I plan on getting rivals for my track wheels instead, which are 987-sized 18" OZ Alleggerita HLTs (18x8+57mm & 18x9+43mm). The closest size is 245/40R18 & 275/35R18 which is about a quarter inch taller than OEM. (I used to run 245/35R18 & 285/30R18 Kumho V710s on these wheels) I know Rivals run wide, and am a bit concerned about rubbing in the front. Anyone running 18" rivals yet on a 986 or 996?
05-09-2013, 09:03 PM
#29
Instructor
I'm happy with 245/40/18 rivals all the way around. I can't imagine the 275's making the car faster. Mine still has some understeer with the square tire sizes.