Mark in Baltimore

I hope people aren't burned out from reading and talking about tires because I have a more specific question.

All of these recent threads on tires has been very timely for me since my Michelin Pilot Sport MXX3's (N1) are about done and I am about to get my MPSC track tires. BTW, I have been thoroughly impressed with the MXX3's dry track grip after initially looking disparagingly at them as crappy mid-level tires. They have lasted fourteen rock and roll track days and have stood me well.

Anyway, I have done a search on rain tires on all forums and can't seem to reach a clear answer about which is the best rain track tire. Some PCA members recommend Kumho full tread Victoracer, Paul at Radial Tire in Silver Spring says to go with full tread Toyo RA-1's, Viken says the SO2A's are far and away better than SO2 or SO3, while the new Michelin Pilot Sports (Ribs, too?), Bridgestone SO3's, and probably I bunch more I've missed, have been seen as favorable in the rain. Where's that smiley that uses a hammer to bang its head when I need it?

I am utterly confused. I'm not worried about tread wear since these tires will be strictly for track use but I would like to have a great rain tire so I can practice my line on the inevitable wet track weekends. I figure it'll take me several years to wear out the rain tires if I only run them in liquid conditions.

My thinking is to go with some sort of R compound, either RA1 or Victoracer but, clearly, I'm a bit lost here.

Thanks for your help!

Greg Fishman

Mark,
I would look at the RA1's if you want something now. If you are thinking about next season, Hoosier will have a DOT rain tire that should be very good. The RA1's are streetable, the Hoosier probably won't be.

JC in NY

I used my trusty MPSC's at the Mosport club race and did surprisingly well with them. And boy did it rain...

Edward

Hi Mark,

I have no personal experience with this, but my friend who is an avid SCCA racer (and a darn good driver at that ) loves his RA-1s, I believe at full tread. And because he typically is out-powered by others, he LOVES the rain as it levels the field for him. Hope this helps

Edward

Mark in Baltimore

Guys,

Thanks for your responses! It looks like the RA-1's are the ones to get. I'll have the MPSC's anyway so I'll have that base covered.

Manny Alban

When it rained last year at the VIR club race, I asked a Michelin engineer how the Cups did in the wet and his response was an unenthusiastic 'okay'. But he did light up and said "if you can get me a tire iron, I can cut out some awesome grooves that will make the tires spectacular in the rain". Unfortunately, that's not legal in stock class for PCA Club racing. I have a set of Toyo RA1's for the rain, which I have yet to use (thanking the sun gods). Last year I did a 60 minute race in the pouring rain with new Kuhmo V700's and they were amazing. I think the key is what type of rain you're talking about. If it's simply wet and no standing water, then I'd choose a Cup or Hoosier tire, if there's lots of standing water, it's a Toyo or Kuhmo with full tread. Tell you what Mark, next time we're at a DE and it's raining, you're more than welcome to use my RA'1's

Mark in Baltimore

On youuurrrrrr car, Manny?

Thanks for the offer. Most people seem to like the RA-1's, although Tim espoused the Victoracers.

Aren't you supposed to be at Summit already? I'll catch up with you on Sunday. Thanks for all of the great stories last weekend...

I was supposed to pick up my FM-10's yesterday but Paul at Radial Tire thought I wanted Toyo RA-1's for the dry, even after we had talked about MPSC's a number of times. I think he has a mental filter that converts "Michelin Pilot Sport Cups" to "Toyo RA-1's". Funny.

Mike in Chi

Good to see so many turtles playing inthe rain.

I am going to get a set of RA-1s over the winter based on Greg's recommendation a month or two ago. May also use them for a session or two at a new course to learn the track and then switch to MPSC or the Hoosier Daddies once I know the line.

Mark in Baltimore

Thanks, Mike. I'm fairly certain there will be a set of RA-1's on my cup wheels.