Sean F

Can I get away with running street tires as a rain tire or should I invest in a rain tire like full tread RA1's? I usually run street tires in the rain for DE, but what about for racing? I'm going to be running RA1's in the dry. I know that Hoosier rains are supposed to be amazing, but I'm trying to avoid Hoosiers until 08. I'll probably only run two races this year. I'm not looking to podium this year, just get some experience under my belt.

earlyapex

Ah, a man on a budget. I think you've already answered your question. I see nothing wrong running street tires in the rain as long as the street tires are very good rain tires.

I bought full tread RA-1's at the beginning of the season and used them as rain tires. As the weather dried, I kept the same tires on the car and they eventually got worn down enough to make good dry tires. Why not go this route?

Sean F

I was thinking about doing that as well, but my rain wheels are 16 x 7 & 8 and my regular wheels are 18 x 8 & 9 so I wouldn't really use the rain set in the dry ever. My car is setup for the 18's.

Sean F

Eric - off topic, but what did you do for a tow hook in the rear? Looks like you have stock bumpers. I'm trying to figure out a rear tow hook option with stock bumpers. I used a strap in the front.

smsarchitects

wow, deja vu. I still Yokos is a great budget solution.

Gary R.

Sean, just for a data point I run Hoosier wets on the 16" wheels that came with my car, think they are 7's and 8's. 225's in front, 255's in the back. Only go on in the wet.. I can run the dry line in the rain at most tracks only avoiding standing water.

sleder

For a tow hook solution look at Autometrics. The have a hook that bolts to your engine and it goes under the rear valance.

Bill L Seifert

Hoosier's rain tire is excellent, and I hear the Yoko's are good also, or even full tread Kuhomo's Victor Racers. I ran Dunlop street tirers in a race once, and nearly killed myself. Even Hoosier regular DOT race tires were better than street tires. If you try to go race speeds on street tires, you will crash.

Bill Seifert

1987 944S Race Car

Jim Child

You could run street tires in the rain, but you'll be passed like you're standing still by anyone running a treaded R compound tire. If you're just looking to go out in the rain and get credit for a race, then I could see running a street tire, but that's about it. Since you're going to be running Toyos anyway, why not have a full tread set standing by for rain use. Then near the end of the season if it looks like they're not going to see rain use you can use them as dry tires.

jakermc

One tow hook option to consider are the hooks that mount to the rear shock bolts on the rear. They are intended to be used to secure the car while towing but will also work to pull you out of trouble. I assume they will pass tech but do not know for sure.

Sean F

Don't you have an engine to re-assemble?

Sean F

maybe I will go the Toyo route

bobt993

Buy the Hoosier rains. If you use them only when you need to, they will last along time. I posted a video of the Nov SP club race in the rain last month ( look it up and watch it). You will see there were 6 cars on Hoosier rains and they killed the rest of us on dry slicks. One of my buddies rain toyos and they were only okay, but way off the Hoosier pace. Guys running these tell me they last several years if only used for what they were intended. I will absolutely buy a set this year for practice and club racing.

Veloce Raptor

Street tires are OK.

Full-tread RA1's are very good.

Hoosier-daddy wets are excellent.

Sean F

what's the deal with the Hoosiers? Are they like normal hoosiers and need to be heat cylcled and then last a certain number of heat cycles? Are they good for a couple of years if you don't use them that often or do they get hard an useless after a season?