Pontiac Solstice Forum - View Single Post - are "r" compounds that much better?

I always recommend novices stay on street tires for a season or at least 10 events and a school. Street tires have several advantages that teach you to drive better quicker: they are less forgiving of being over driven (to me over driving is where you exceed the traction circle of the tires due to poor technique) and will quckly let you know it by pushing like a pig or spinning out. With R compounds when you exceed the slip angle you leave expensive rubber on the pavement. You can flatspot and destroy a set of R compounds with a couple spins or brake lockups. On most surfaces street tires will also give you audible warning you are reaching their limits by squealing. R compounds don't. You can tell when your driving is reaching the limits of the tires when you are lightly sqealing them on almost every manuever. R compounds quietly leave themselves on the pavement until you exceed ther limits and break loose. Street tires are a lot cheaper than R compounds and you can drive to and from events on them. R compounds mean a major investment in not only tires but also support equipment like extra wheels, ways to transport the tires and equipment to and from events, jack, lug wrench, torque wrench, etc. Some street tires can approach R compound traction, look at what brands and series tires the quick guys in the street tire classes are running (the national street tire classes like STS STS2 STU STX, not the local pax class) those guys are running pretty close to the R compound class times.
Finally to really take advantage of R compounds you must do the whole upfit allowed to the suspension: adjustable racing shocks, the right sway bars, racing alignment, etc. with the expenses and variables that brings. It's interesting to see locals putting R compounds on their car that has a street alignment, worn out shocks, 100# of sound equipment, leather interior, loaded with acessories and even an automatic transmission, plus their buddy in the passenger seat. Why bother with the tires? Changing tires will not suddenly take a hack driver to the top of the class.

__________________
Spin or win, there's no glory for going slow!
Team Dynamics AX racing
2003 GSL, 2005 HSL, National Champion
2007 GXP ZOK Mean
Solo Performance Race catback
Rick Hendrick Pontiac
Solo Performance
CHARLES FRANK goldsmith

	Krazed Kanary Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Raleigh NC	I always recommend novices stay on street tires for a season or at least 10 events and a school. Street tires have several advantages that teach you to drive better quicker: they are less forgiving of being over driven (to me over driving is where you exceed the traction circle of the tires due to poor technique) and will quckly let you know it by pushing like a pig or spinning out. With R compounds when you exceed the slip angle you leave expensive rubber on the pavement. You can flatspot and destroy a set of R compounds with a couple spins or brake lockups. On most surfaces street tires will also give you audible warning you are reaching their limits by squealing. R compounds don't. You can tell when your driving is reaching the limits of the tires when you are lightly sqealing them on almost every manuever. R compounds quietly leave themselves on the pavement until you exceed ther limits and break loose. Street tires are a lot cheaper than R compounds and you can drive to and from events on them. R compounds mean a major investment in not only tires but also support equipment like extra wheels, ways to transport the tires and equipment to and from events, jack, lug wrench, torque wrench, etc. Some street tires can approach R compound traction, look at what brands and series tires the quick guys in the street tire classes are running (the national street tire classes like STS STS2 STU STX, not the local pax class) those guys are running pretty close to the R compound class times. Finally to really take advantage of R compounds you must do the whole upfit allowed to the suspension: adjustable racing shocks, the right sway bars, racing alignment, etc. with the expenses and variables that brings. It's interesting to see locals putting R compounds on their car that has a street alignment, worn out shocks, 100# of sound equipment, leather interior, loaded with acessories and even an automatic transmission, plus their buddy in the passenger seat. Why bother with the tires? Changing tires will not suddenly take a hack driver to the top of the class. __________________ Spin or win, there's no glory for going slow! Team Dynamics AX racing 2003 GSL, 2005 HSL, National Champion 2007 GXP ZOK Mean Solo Performance Race catback Rick Hendrick Pontiac Solo Performance CHARLES FRANK goldsmith