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Post by wayfast01 on Dec 29, 2010 16:27:24 GMT -8
Anybody hear that the Bullring is changing tires for the Charger division again this year? If so, has anybody heard what they are going to?
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Post by htownracing on Dec 30, 2010 15:04:58 GMT -8
I have not heard anything. But if they do, they should go to the 700, might actually pull in some out of town cars then. And they even last at Havasu, which tears tires up. Just my opinion.
Jim Petrie
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Post by wayfast01 on Dec 31, 2010 8:25:26 GMT -8
I read an article about the 650's and 700's which are supposed to be great tires. The 650 have the durability of the 700 but give you alittle more speed. I hope if they change they go to one of those two. They are also both cheaper than the 970's!!!
This is our first year in the chargers so we are trying to prepare for the year and it is tough without knowing!
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Post by dave on Dec 31, 2010 15:15:46 GMT -8
The 600 and 700 series are supposed pretty good tires for the money. I don't know if they are part of the Hoosier contingency program which might mean the track wouldn't get a taste of the revenue or sponsorship if they allowed them. Hopefully your counts will go up this year and the track won't throw too many last minute curve balls at the class.
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Post by htownracing on Jan 3, 2011 8:41:58 GMT -8
Just an FYI, this past Saturday at Havasu there were 27 Street Stocks/Chargers. One broke in practice and 26 started the A-Main. It was a 75 lap feature. They run the 700's there and Blythe, and at Orange Show last season. Pit passes were $35 for driver and the same price for crew. Purse was $1000.00 to win, not sure what 2nd - 6th was, but 7th ALL the way to last was $75.00, cash in your hand before you left. I beleive the tires were $413.00 for a set, and fuel was $6.50 per gallon, am not sure if you have to run track fuel or not. But if they tested it was only the top three cars. Most fun I have had racing in about 5 years.
When was the last time you seen 27 cars show up to a race, especially for a Street Stock. Charger type race?
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Post by wayfast01 on Jan 3, 2011 8:53:01 GMT -8
27 cars on a quarter mile track....Must have been an interesting race!
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Post by htownracing on Jan 3, 2011 9:20:34 GMT -8
Only 26 started, one broke in hot laps. It was the most fun I have had driving in years. And I can say that even after two trips to the pits for flats and needing to replace, fenders, door, quarter and front nose!
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Post by wayfast01 on Jan 20, 2011 14:23:40 GMT -8
I heard through the grapevine that the Bullring will be going to 700's for the chargers this year. I hope so, while it may be a small sign, it is a sign none the less that they are starting to think about the racers costs.
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Post by letsrace on Jan 24, 2011 20:13:04 GMT -8
Don't be so fast to accept the new 700 tires. I was just at Lake Havasu and spoke to several drivers. They were all in agreement that the 700 tires were not as good as the 970's. The all agreed that the 970's lasted longer and were the prefered tire to race on. Yes, they may be cheaper but when you have to buy almost twice as many to remain competitive, then your not saving anything. Just giving more money to the track. So, 3-4 sets of tires or 7-8 sets, which do you want?
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Post by wayfast01 on Jan 25, 2011 16:18:15 GMT -8
I heard just the opposite, that the 700 were more durable and lasted longer...But I guess we will find out if they make the switch.....
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Post by htownracing on Jan 26, 2011 9:43:30 GMT -8
Our car is ready so if the track wanted to do a tire test we would be willing to help out. The 700's only last 1 race at Havasu, but all tires only last that long. If you are worried about how many you will need to buy, regardless of the compund, a rule with a limit of how many would help keep tire costs down.
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Post by letsrace on Jan 26, 2011 21:06:02 GMT -8
Well wayfast, I can only relay what 4 different drivers stated, if they go to them I hope your right. I could also agree with htown but I suspect the only reason to go to these tires is we will have to buy more to stay competitive. Therefore I doubt the track would say you only get like 4 sets a year. It would defeat the purpose of changing at all. Not to mention how many cars already have good 970 tires to run on. Again, its only a quess but why change something unless it's to the track advantage. It's just like why are we FORCED to buy VP fuel a 9.00 a gallon. They say it goes to points fund but thats a joke. Everyone has been getting the same amount of money every year since I've been racing. Never mind that 110 octane sucks and ruins our motors. If you don't believe me, ask someone like Mario or Phil who have been around awhile. Like I say, we have the best track, bar none. But, they make it so difficult to race by pinching every penny from you. Maybe it's time the track gives something back, really gives something back to help us ALL have another race season.
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Post by htownracing on Jan 27, 2011 9:18:19 GMT -8
I understand that 9.00 a gallon for fuel is very steep, but I also understand why a fuel rule is place and it is tested, to keep guys from doctoring it up for an advantage, a simple solution would be to go to a different version of fuel that is cheaper. Just my opinion.
Jim Petrie
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Post by dave on Jan 27, 2011 10:55:48 GMT -8
Octane is only an index of anti knock is and is not related to overall power output. The properties that add horsepower are oxygenating the fuel and other chemical compounds. Depending on your valve seals you may have an issue running leaded fuel. While lead has been used as an octane booster any damage would be due to the tuner/builder not taking into account other variables in the fuel. Here is a link from Rockett Racing Fuel describing the myths of high octane, leaded race fuel. www.rockettbrand.com/techsupport/documents/TechBulletins/LeadedRacingGasolineMyths.pdfAs for the price, I understand you guys don't what to pay that when you could be using pump gas in many cases but nine bucks is cheap for that grade of VP fuel. Rockett 110 at the Rebel depot is about 8 bucks now and Rockett 100 at the pump is about 6 bucks now. |
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Post by letsrace on Jan 27, 2011 16:02:27 GMT -8
A very nice piece of information Dave. I know we seem a bit off topic about the tire issue and we are now on to fuel costs but they truly go hand in hand.
Jim, I love your idea but I don’t think it will ever happen. And, only because of one reason (profits).
All I'm trying to say is that it looks to me like the track is doing nothing more than attempting to increase their profit margins on required racing items (tires, fuel, parking stalls etc).
Current times are difficult for a lot of people and many would be drivers can't afford all these high dollar requirements. Racing is supposed to be fun. Let's face it; we will never make money doing it. Last year they DQ’d the last 3 place drivers in the charger division for fuel. OK, but what was gained? They never were able to return; so how much money was lost at the gate as well as on what they would have bought had they been able to race. Now let’s add 3 cars to a 10-12 car field and you got a good field of cars to put on a show for the public who paid to get in. It was like cutting off your arm because you have a splinter in your finger.
When you ask the track staff (Mike S.) why fuel costs so much, I was told it was so the individual division point’s funds would make better payouts at the end of the season. Well, I don't believe we can find anyone who can say the fund paid out anymore than prior years even though we were paying all that money. So, the question is where does it go??? I can tell you that until I loudly complained, they weren't even keeping track of who bought what by each division. So, either we all supplemented the SLM division or the money went elsewhere.
If the track is really interested in helping people continue to race, they need to find a way to keep costs down. Last year I was personally total if you can’t afford 9.00 for a gallon of gas, then you shouldn’t be racing. WTF? Why is it that the AZ tracks are selling Sunoco fuel for 6.50 but we are paying 9.00 and rumor has it the cost may be going to 9.50.
Even though the fuel discussion is off topic, it falls in line because I feel the only reason to switch tires is to increase sales thereby increasing profits.
If I end up being wrong, I will be the first to admit it. But until then, I still think we should be paying less for fuel and staying on the tires the chargers currently use.
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