CliffBeer said:
Ron, what make/mfg are your tires? I like the dimensions you have indicated but have only been able to find those (relatively easily) in the BF Goodrich TA. I don't like the TA because of the low speed rating so I'm looking for something better. Thanks.
I'm not sure which Ron you mean. I suspect you mean Ron M. with the pretty blue car, but I'll throw some info in the ring on tires anyhow.
Right now the Lola is shod with Hoosier R6s, a DOT road race tire. It has little to do with DOT other than the stamp and it is what we road race with on our IT cars. Great stickyness, good life. They are easy to flat spot though because they don't feedback quite like a Toyo though, but they stick a bit better. They WILL NOT work in the rain. They have rain grooves, but that is to get a DOT number. They have a lot more in common with Hoosier slicks than a road tire. I should have put 215s/205s on the front, the 255s are too large and will deaden the steering feel too much I think.
Hoosier Tire
A series is for cone crushers since they are softer and ready to go with little heat. Don't use those, they won't last long on the street.
For dual purpose road/track use I'd put Toyo RA1s on, either full tread or shaved. I should have put these on the Lola, but didn't. These are insanely sticky and have a good lifetime, as well as will work fine in the wet. Jeff has them on is Esprit and Exige, they are great on track and street. Good feedback from these tires. These are the spec tire for SCCA spec Miata and is a really good race tire.
Toyo Proxes RA-1 Tires - Tire Size & Price Details - 1010tires.com
In either case there is no similarilties between these two tires and your BF Goodrich tires, other than the fact they are all round. You'll love them and your confidence level in the car will increase. With both tires your car will need to be properly setup to use them, they will expose improper setup fairly easily.
Ron