Molding the Chase

Top 2. Jun 27, 2005 12:01 PM

» Tom - Re: Where do you stand?

In response to Where do you stand? posted by bici:

I have to act the dummy here Barbara, I haven't heard of any squabble between Goodyear and Michelin.

As far as racing goes, Goodyear is under contract to NASCAR. The only tire you will see used in a NASCAR race is a Goodyear Eagle built especially for NASCAR for use in the Cup, Busch, and Craftsman Truck Series. They cost the teams $1200 to $1500 for a set of four depending on the type of race track. The higher speed tracks which are more than a mile in length require the use of an innerliner tire – a tire within a tire – for racing safety purposes.

The only tire you will see used in the Indy Racing League is Firestone, which is the tire company that has the contract with the IRL. Some of the racing series like the Outlaws and ARCA use the Hoosier tire, and a lot of the foreign racing leagues use the Italian Pirelli tire. I would imagine that there are some who use the Michelin, but none that I follow at this time.

My daughter just bought a new Dodge Neon SXT that came with the Goodyear Eagle, and my Dodge Dakota SXT came with Goodyear Wrangler RT/S raised letter tires. If I had my choice I'd run Michelins, as long as someone else was paying for them. I changed tires for a living many years ago and I believe that the best tire still made is the Yokohama, followed by Michelin. They are really heavy, very well constructed, and super expensive tires. You get what you pay for with them. I WOULDN'T BUY A GOODYEAR TIRE FOR MY WHEELBARROW, I usually run Cooper tires.

-- posted by Tom

Top 3. Jul 3, 2005 4:32 AM

» Philip Northeast - Re: Re: Where do you stand?

In response to Re: Where do you stand? posted by Tom:

The biggest racing tyre controversy at the moment is the Michelin v Bridgestone v FIA battle after the fiasco at Indianapolis.

The majority of teams who run Michelin had to withdraw from the race because tyre Michelin brought did could not stand the side loads imposed by the final turn banking Bridgestone, who only supply one major team in Ferrari, had no problems.

This was probably due to their experience in the local IRL series with oval tracks with their Firestone brand tyres. This was an important achievment for Bridgestone who have struggled to match the Michelin rubber in 2005.

It probably does something to embarrassment Bridgstone suffered when one of their tyres exploded on the long main straight at Mugello on Nakano's Kawasaki motorcycle.

-- posted by Philip Northeast

Top 4. Jul 5, 2005 2:27 AM

» Tom - Re: Re: Re: Where do you stand?

In response to Re: Re: Where do you stand? posted by Philneast:

Thanks for the info on that Phil. I was wondering what was behind the big mess that resulted from what was supposed to have been the Formula 1 US Grand Prix at Indianapolis. They are talking about running an exhibition event there this fall to make up for the faux pass.

The guy who runs the F1 league has been acting like a real jerk sending messages and making unsettling comments about female IRL racing star Danica Patrick.

-- posted by Tom