ronnyinwaxhaw

I was looking over the rules for the "Measured Mile" in Maxton NC on the ECTA-LSR website. If you were to run a 3rd Gen in this sort of competition, what tires are available? Most companies are getting away from 15s, but if you go into 17 or above the rules get pretty strict on wheel construction. I was looking at 15s because the wheels are plentiful and cheap. (If you're thinking about Moon discs to cover them for aero, why spend a lot?)

sigmfsk

> if you go into 17[" wheels] or above the rules get pretty strict on wheel construction.

My reading of the rules are that 17" are fine, and things get strict > 17".

From
http://www.ecta-lsr.com/rules/carstreetcat.htm

> Vehicles with tires having a diameter of 30” or with wheels over 17” in diameter must use a wheel manufactured for racing or reinforced as below...

I think the key is: wheels OVER 17"
but if 17" wheels really do require all the extra stuff, please let me know.

your friend in acceptable wheels,
arthur

Atilla the Fun

It took me all of 30 seconds of searching Goodyear's website to find their Land Speed tires. They fit 15" rims between 3.5" and 5.5" wide, have diameters of 25" or 28", your choice, and are rated to 300 mph, and to 1700 pounds each at 70 psi. Their product code for the 25s is 808-028-090, and for the 28s it's 808-682-089.

ronnyinwaxhaw

Now THAT was an awesome answer. Thanks AtF for the LSR tires reference. I had only gone to Tire Rack and Discount Tire's websites, then Kuhmo, Nitto, General and Firestone/Bridgestone's sites, to name a few. I was thinking only of the 150-175 mph range at first, so I was just looking for a street tire. From what I've seen, if you have classic muscle with 15s, you're going to eventually become a customer of Coker Tire, because the tire mfgs are dropping 15s (and smaller diameters).

sigmsfk, thanks for your answer too. My best bet would be to go to an event in Maxton and see what people are running in the speed category I'm interested in.

Atilla the Fun

AFAIK, only Michelin has street rubber rated for over 186 mph. Up to 186 is a Y-rating, you have to go 17" for that.
IDK what the Bugatti Veyron uses, but it's front tires might be an option, that car does 254 mph. It's rears would be a bit much for our cars, without mini-tubs.
You can get moon discs for 17" wheels, and Cragar offers cheap steel 17s that fit our cars nicely. In your choice of 8" and 9" widths. I do believe for top speed runs I'd take the 9s, fitted with 245/45s.

sigmfsk

After I read this:
> A set of tires alone costs $17,000
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/ca...ti-veyron-16.4

I stopped looking.

Actually, Atilla, I stopped looking as soon as I saw your awesome post about the 28" diameter land speed racing tires. It may have taken you just 30 seconds to find it, but it was a treasure of information. Thanks!

For my application, a 1974 Dodge Monaco, I'm planning on using the LSR tires on the stock 5.5" wide rims (as the tires will fit on rims 4.5" +/- 1").

For regular street driving I'm planning on using:
235/70R15 front
275/60R15 back
Those tires are both about 28" diameter. I found them at tire-rack in
goodyear eagle gt II
bfgoodrich radial t/a
Firehawk Indy 500
(all S speed rated)

I can get custom made wheels (that match stock steel Mopar OEM 40 wheels) here:
http://www.stocktonwheel.com/mopar.htm
Stockton can make all kinds of wheels, 15" and up.

I e-mailed the Texas Mile folks to see if the LSR tires are approved for my use, and haven't heard anything yet. I don't know if 1700 lbs (the LSR tire load rating) exceeds the OEM tire load rating. All I know is that the original tires were G78-15, load range B, and the GAVWR front axle is 3040 lbs, and GAVWR rear axle is 3080 lbs. As 1700 lbs * 2 > 3080 lbs (maximum weight possible on the rear axle) I expect that the tires will fit the bill perfectly.

thanks,
arthur

Atilla the Fun

$17,000 per set!?!?! Dang. the Lingenfelter/Callaway Sledgehammer did 254.94 mph on fully treaded radials that, even corrected for inflation, weren't a tenth that price. And that was in the late '80s.