what are some of you guys using for a rain tire setup on track? I am thinking of a set of Toyo RA-1 235/40-17 (full tread 8/32) as a rain setup on 17x7.5 - 8.5 wheels (all around-non staggared). This setup would be used when standing water is present on the track surface....including heavy rain or just thereafter. On a semi-dry or damp surface I'd probably use the dry setup (shaved R-comps on my Forgelines). Just want your opinions/thoughts on the wet setup for both wheels (type and size) and tires.

thanks,

Sunir
'95 M3 LTW:)

Hi Sunsir,
Since noone cares about rain tires :awink: , I'll give you my opinion although I have limited experience in the rain. I would use any R-Tire that has a decent amount of tread. Including full tread kumho's, RA1's, Pilot Cup. If it is absolutely pouring and there is lots of standing water you might want to try a Hoosier Dirt Stocker or a Hoosier rain tire. There are other rain tires that I have no experience with that might be even faster. This year I'm going to use full tread pilot cup tires. Basically I'm going to use them for practice and rain once they wear down I will use them for racing. I was not that impressed with the ra1 in the rain I think it needs to be softer to work well. Usually I just run my R-tires unless the rain is really heavy. I never run a street tire though, usually I will be faster with the R even in the wet it depends how heavy the rain is. Hope that helps some.

someone at the PCA VIR event I went to over the past weekend swears by the RA-1 as a good rain tire with its channeling grooves and R compound rubber (full tread of course). Another consideration is full tread V700 Ecsta for rain only.....so here's what I'm thinkin':

Fastest setup:
(1) Dry - Goodyear GSCS or Hoosier R3S03, Wet - Toyo RA 1 or Ecsta V700 (full tread depth for rain set)

Budget setup:
(1) Dry - Victos or Ecstas V700 (shaved), Wet - Toyo RA 1 or Ecsta V700 (full tread depth for rain set)

folks, feel free to chime in and give some of your opinions on this rain tire issue....Hoosier dirt stockers are an option as are hoosier rain tires but what about transitional wet tires with good grip (tires that can be used in different levels of downpour, heavy to light rain...not just extreme rain like I've heard the Hoosiers require)?

thanks,

Sunir
'95 M3 LTW

For driving schools, there's absolutely no need for an all out rain tire. A Hoosier Rain or Dirtstocker will melt after 1/2 a lap on a dry track. There are very few rain situations where you even need a treaded tire at all. In the event that it is raining that much, just have a set of full-depth R-compounds on hand. That way you can use them as dry tires later then they wear down a bit. Otherwise, once a real rain tire is partially worn down, it's no longer any good for anything, wet or dry.

When it comes to racing, you might decide to spend the $$ on a full rain tire, an intermediate, and dry tires. The kicker is, you'll probably end up hauling the full rains to the track for two seasons, never use them, and end up trashing them because the rubber has hardened up. Then again, if you don't have them, you're guaranteed to encounter a race where they are an absolute necessity. :)