legalize foam tires

[consumer 1]

How do racers feel about foam tires? Should they be legal for all sedan classes? Well, I for one think they should be legal because
they are readily available and usually work better. For those who say foams always work better. I say that unless the track is prepared or abrasive foams are useless. Racers, don't get me wrong. I think some of the rubber sedan tires are the best thing since sliced bread but...having the option to run whatever tire works should be THE rule.

[SteveP]

I'm not sure I like the idea of foam tires. I've run them and do find them to work better and they're generally more consistent, but I think they're going to cost more in the long run. Foam tires wear often wear more quickly than rubber. There are a few tracks that are smooth enough to make foam tires last, but they are rare. The best foam tires are the exotic foams that are typically used in 1/8 on-road racing, which are very hard to find in any quantity here in the states. Not only is this type of foam rare, it's also very expensive. This may create a situation where those well connected have the hard-to-find tires and the rest of us will be left with off-the-shelf tires. The tires that are readily avialable here can't compete against the aforementioned.
The current problem with the bubble-gum compound, one-run rubber tires could have been cured with a spec tire, much like that which was introduced by Pro-Line. No, they wouldn't stick as well as foams, but at least everyone would be running the same tire.
I'm certainly interested in everyone elses opinion (racers please).

[consumer 1]

Those people well connected will always have the lastest, greatest tire. I compete with sponsored racers who show up to the track with 20-30 sets of and I am usually in the A main event. As a sportsman racer I dont mind spending for a set of foams for that extra tuning option. As far as being readily avaliable, mounted and trued foam tires are already available from Jaco, Pro-line, Duratrax and Kyosho to name a few. Any comments (Yay/nay) from other racers?

[R_C_MAN]

Well as for the tires I do not know but I see a RCCA staff member has actually replied to someones question. Not to say bad stuff about ya'll cuz I know ya'll are very busy with the magazine. I just wanna know where is the Product Watch section? It is not in the August 2000 issue. Is it coming back? http://www.rccaraction.com/ubb/smile.gif

[R_C_MAN]

oh well I got my answer DerekB answered it. He said it is returning.

[Rick Worth]

For carpet, foams are the only way to go. At Cleveland last year the foams only wore about .02 to .03 a race. Some guys used the same pair all weekend.

[consumer 1]

Any other racers with comments? This should be a hot topic.

[Hellonu]

I would love to use foams. I am tired of the tire of the month club! Foam is consistant from start to finish. And you just need to look at or messure your tires to see how much life you have left. With a rubber tire you have no idea? It just blows open.

Also with over 75 tire and 75 inserts and 2 widths rubber tires are just one big industry CASH GRAB from us the racers!

[aspiringrcracer710]

I frankly would rather see a spec foam tire, that way people could race on the same level playing field and then anyone can break into on road racing w/o breaking the bank. BTW anybody from the Tidewater area that is a member of the Zone out there know of a good on road racing layout in the area? TaL ans TTFN :-)

[consumer 1]

As far as expense goes, last week I bought a set of Pit tires w/foam inserts w/wheels and it cost me $42.00. I fitted the same gas sedan w/mounted foam tires and it cost me $35.00. These same foam tires have about 8-10 runs on them and they still look good.
As far as spec foam tire...there really should be no such thing in gas sedan open. How would you enforce it, hand out club tires? Personally, I think that Norrca and some local hobbyshop are in the pocket of rubber tire manufacturers. Roar has already approved of foam tires in the sedan class and some tracks still forbid them.

[consumer 1]

And I thought this was going to be a hot topic. Everyone has feelings on but few want to discuss. Well, from the people who have responded it looks like most are in favor. Are you listening Norrca? It seems that the people who really want an even playing field have not been playing lately. I race against pro level drivers in the Bay Area and they show up with boxes of tires. Hot weather tires, cold weather, mid temp., soft insert, med. insert, firm inserts. I say spec. (maybe) for novices and open for sportsman and pro level. Anyone with comments? Please.

[aspiringrcracer710]

Hey even if foam tires aren't legalized they ought to use the control tire that Pro-Line came up with at events on the national level. BTW my comment on spec foam tires was stupid and I retract what I said. By having a control tire at all, that would even the playing field. ANd there also should be a separate factory drivers class that way regular drivers like us won't end up relegated to the ZZZZ main on sunday. But for the sake of the topic foam should be legalized. as well as capped tires.

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[consumer 1]

Other racers care to comment? Maybe consumer polls should determine what is legal at sanctioned races, not rubber tire manufacturers. I think everyone knows that in the upper level races, even at the local level, to be competitive you have to spend a considerable amount of money. Cost controlled racing...what a great idea, but it is already out of control, unless you are sponsored or get fat discounts at the local hobbyshop.