Tom Tweed

I hope they do, Martin, but I didn't press him on GT4 sizes, since I was already taking up a lot of his time, plus I'm a selfish bastard and really only cared about MY sizes.

TT

usctrojanGT3

No worries, I'll give him a jingle after the new year and hit him up about 19 inch tires for the GT4.

tqevo

Have you tried contacting BFGoodrich? I hear the Rival S is a competitive tire along the lines of the RE71R

SDGT3Rick

Tom - I've also spoken to Hoosier and they are trying to roll out R7's in 20" sizes in 2016 for anyone interested. I'm running R7's with 19" HRE wheels which work really well (no comments Martin!).

Rick Levenson

usctrojanGT3

Oh don't worry, one of the Texas guys is going to be running R7s on the GT4 in 19s soon and I'll know it the sizing works. Then I can get my own cheater tires and be ready to pass.

lax01

How does Michelin not see this issue in the marketplace/industry? I'm sure they do...but I've also asked their support channels for additional sizes of the SuperSport and it fell on deaf ears ("Sorry no desire to make the tire in that size")

Tom Tweed

Ya, a lot of folks like the Rival-S and the R1-S from BFG, but they have never made any in a diameter larger than 18", and when I talked to them, they had no plans for expanding their line. This kind of makes sense, as Michelin bought BFG and I'm sure they want to drive their customers who want larger sizes toward the MPSS and MPSC2. I like the MPSC2s, as I said, I just don't like their price.

Here's the BFG contact page if anyone wants to complain about that and ask for larger sizes:
https://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/contact-us.page

TT

Tom Tweed

Hiya, Rick-

Ya, I used your car as an example in another thread where someone said he had never seen a 991 GT3 running Hoosiers yet.

So Martin is trying to win the DE against your GT3? He'll be on the R7s soon, then.

TT

usctrojanGT3

I think if Rick ran Cup2 tires on his GT3 and I ran R7s on the GT4 it'd be very close. I can carry more speed through and out of the turn but the HP difference will come into play on the straight sections. Didn't want to bring out the GT3 and start lapping everyone, it's more fun when there's a rabbit to chase. Still managed to be only 2 seconds off his pace with corded front tires.

Tom Tweed

Well then, obviously, after the tire handicap index was applied, you are still the Lo Cal DE Champion, Martin!

Rick is kinda new to this stuff, but he is learning fast. A 1:57 at Buttonwillow (in Race 1 config. w/Star Mazda) his first time there isn't too shabby.

TT

usctrojanGT3

He's definitely fast. I think he liked the little "sniff" of the R7s, he'll be going back for more. I've been encouraging to add a few more track/go fast parts. Chasing him will bring out some fast lap times in the GT4.

Tom Tweed

I found this interesting test of the Bridgestone RE-71R vs. the Nitto NT01 that says there is virtually nothing between the two.
http://www.prima-racing.com/bridgest...king-part-two/
As a 200 treadwear tire, the RE-71R keeps up with a tried and true R-comp tire, which is why I'd really like to get some in GT3 sizes.

There is a previous test against the Dunlop Direzza (my previous favorite street tire) that put them to shame.
http://www.prima-racing.com/bridgest...one/#more-2038

Tire companies are making amazing strides these days, but this has got to be the best "cheater" street tire out at the moment!
TT

usctrojanGT3

After my Cup2s are done, I'm going to give the RE-71Rs a run. I'll go with 245/40/19 and 285/35/19 and under $1,200 for the set is a bargain.

orthojoe

Sweet. Let us know what you think. I've been thinking about doing the same with the GT4

Tom Tweed

I'll be really interested in hearing how that works out, Martin!

I was browsing the Bridgestone site today and they are showing their first 20" size in the RE-71R now--a 245/35-20 with a 26.8" diameter. Tire Rack does not have it on their site yet, so it must be very new. This would work for a front tire on stock GT3/GT4 rims, so all we need are 20" rear sizes (295/305/315) to come out in the right diameters to match and we would have a good streetable 20" track tire to use, similar to the NT01, at a reasonable price. Keep those calls and emails going to Bridgestone, folks!

TT