Hoosier A6's?

[260DET]

For say 4-5 minutes of circuit racing, are the A6's worth considering? Present tyres are Nitto NTO1's which are fine but as usual with semi slicks in my experience take a lap or two to heat up. Other than RA1's which are obsolete I don't know of anything else which may suit my driving style and suspension, both of which seem to be tyre friendly.

 

I assume that the A6 may not have the ultimate grip of the R6 but horses for courses applies here.

[johnc]

A6s have noticeably more grip then the R6s.

 

For 30 minutes of circuit racing they are fine. You can do that about 4 times before there's significant loss in grip. With practice, qualifying, and a race they are essentially good for one race day if you've only got one set.

 

Most of the bucks up guys will bring three sets to a weekend race. One set for practice, one set for qualifying, and one set for racing. The practice set is usually the previous race weekend's qualifying set. The two new sets are used for qualifying and the races. The race sets are always retired after the weekend.

[wheelman]

You might consider Kumho V710s if you can get them there in the size you need.

They are almost as good as the Hoosiers but last longer and generally are a little cheaper, at least in the states.

[260DET]

Yeh there are a few possible alternatives, Hankook advertise several different compound choices which is interesting. But with the A6's, it's surprising to hear they are being used for 30 minutes nonstop without overheating and going off, given they work at lower temps than most others including the R6.

[jt1]

My experience agrees with JohnC and Wheelman 100%. I will add it's easier to overdrive the A's. They overheat if you let them slide much.

 

The R6's aren't that great a tire IMO. They're not as fast as the A's when new, they heat cycle out just as quick, and you wind up with a 30% worn out tire with not much grip. Overall the 710's are much better.

 

jt

[johnc]

it's surprising to hear they are being used for 30 minutes nonstop without overheating and going off, given they work at lower temps than most others including the R6.

 

That's kind of a misnomer. The A6 is a softer compound so it provides more grip at lower temps then the R6, but like the R6 its best grip comes at 190 to 200F. All DOT race tires and most race slicks provide their best grip around 200F, that's just the nature of the rubber compounds used in their manufacture. Softer compound tires will generate heat quicker (due to increased elastic hysteresis) and will overheat quicker, but the operating temp range is the same as a harder compound tire.

[260DET]

Ahh, I must have misread Hoosier's info about the A6's which I thought indicated their operating temp was lower. Which made me think they could be more suitable for 4-5 minute runs than the usual semi.

[johnc]

You have to pay more attention to the A6 when using it on the track. As JT1 mentions above its pretty easy to overheat them. Shock damping, suspension settings, alignment, and a smooth driving style are more critical. The A6 is successful in road racing because its fast on the first lap of the race. It really helps the "get out front and stay there no matter what" race strategy. Remember, its much harder to pass someone then to catch them.

[260DET]

That makes sense John, thanks. It may also explain why A6 tyre life can be so short in a longer race situation.