What Do You Think About This?

[Jason Sams]

It's not too surprising that spec racing is gaining popularity. Spec classes level the playing field between those who can afford the best gear and those who can not. It's also refreshing to know that you can race in a spec class with confidence that driving skill is your main asset. Fresh tires, the latest speed controller, or the hottest motor won't help you in a spec class.

With all of that being said, would you be interested in racing a spec tire at your local track for every class?

I think there are number of benefits to having a spec tire for club racing.
- You only need one set of tires for racing. No longer do you need to bring this tire for wet conditions, and those tires for dry conditions.
- The track can try and work a deal with the manufacturer and pass that savings onto you.
- Choosing a tread or compound that would last several races would save the racers money.
- The hobby shop would only have to stock one tire for each class.
- Everybody runs the same tire eliminating anybody from having an advantage.

I remember racing 1/8-scale at Hot Rod Hobbies one evening when they ran the track a little wet. One of the locals mounted up some Pro-Line M3 Inside Jobs and laid down laps a half a second faster than the rest of us. We couldn't compete because the rest of us didn't have any Inside Jobs and neither did the shop. I assume this type of thing happens all the time and a spec tire would eliminate this scenario.

[MattHiggins]

The spec tire idea is good, but who's tire gets picked? If a spec tire is picked at the national level, only company wins and everyone else loses. If it is picked at the track level, the three tracks I race at could require different tires. The answer is to have ROAR pick the tire at the regional level and if a nationals takes place, the spec tire is picked via a lottery.

[Jason Sams]

The spec tire idea is good, but who's tire gets picked? If a spec tire is picked at the national level, only company wins and everyone else loses. If it is picked at the track level, the three tracks I race at could require different tires. The answer is to have ROAR pick the tire at the regional level and if a nationals takes place, the spec tire is picked via a lottery.

If the tracks pick and you race at three tracks, you're right, you might have to keep three different sets of tires. Three is a lot better than having three to five choices for each track.

I don't think ROAR should be involved at all. It would become too political. If a track can call their Pro-Line, Losi, AKA, Panther, JConcepts rep and get a smoking deal on a tire, than that tire regardless of how well it works becomes the spec tire.

I don't think a spec tire would work on the national level anymore, especially in 1/8-scale. There are too many good tires to choose from, and companies usually look to Nationals to release new treads and compounds to give their drivers the advantage.

[adrcracing]

I don't race, but like the idea of a level playing field.

What would happen to all the racing tires not picked? Would they fall of the market? Would sponsored drivers lose tire sponsors? Not that I care about them, but just wondering.

Tire manufactures have focused on racing to much, and a spec tire may fix that. Take the 10th scale buggy market. All kinds of dune buggies to choose from, but all micro dot tread patterns for racing. No sand paddles for a dune buggy?

[Jason Sams]

"What would happen to all the racing tires not picked?"

I think it would eliminate the hobby shop from carrying every tread pattern and compound available. It would also make ordering for the shop easier, and less confusing for the racer.

You could also have one class use XYZ tires and one class use ABC tires if there are two major brands of tires to choose from.

[ronestar]

Whilst I can see the benefits of having a "spec tire" I'm not completely for it. I like variety and choice when it comes to shoes for my ride, I like being able to set up my ride how I like.

An example would be say two tires that offer no real performance difference, but have different handling characteristics, one of which suits me better. I would like to have the CHOICE run that tire. Not only for performance, but also my own personal driving pleasure, it's a joy to drive a car that suits you. ;)

If there is a good tire, most racers will gravitate towards it anyway, and most will run the same tire on a certain track. The only issue for me is that of cost. I'm all for budget limited tires, ie you can nominate tires within a certain price range. On top of that, only allow tires that are stocked by the LHS at the track (or one tied to it if there is none on site, perhaps even an agreement between several LHS) so that tires are available to all.

It's good because it supports the hobby industry, more tire manufacturers stocked, good for us, we have more choice, and with a budget cap in a way limits tire performance, ie better tires cost more. It also encourages competition and innovation from tire makers.

So for example lets say two tire specs (probably be more) A Spec and B Spec. A Spec is say tires below $50 for a set, and B Spec is below $25. Arbitrary numbers. So within that price range you can run any tire from any manufacturer. It will encourage them to make a better product and if they do their job right, all tires should give similar performance at that price point.

But my main thing here is choice. :D The best tire for you, might not be the best tire for me.

I'm only for spec tires in low starter or beginner class races. Let us big boys race how we want. :D Just my humble opinion.