Hoosier Tires

Often, I receive calls about a tire's life and the tire's relationship to its assigned UTQG treadwear indicator. UTQG numbers are assigned to indicate a tires overall level of performance and tread hardness. These numbers beginning at 0 for race products and traveling north of 800 for some of the longest lasting all-season tires, are nothing more than a general guideline to assist customers in making their correct tire purchase. 
 

While certain performance standards are held standard, such as Traction Grades and Temperature Resistance, UTQG treadwear numbers are published by the manufacturer based upon their test findings of a tire's life expectancy. It's important to note that not all manufacturer's standards are equal and similar ratings may lead to different real world results between similar product types.
 

On a large basis, however, most manufacturer's figures are surprisingly accurate. To gain a better understanding of the process, take a look at a few of our popular performance categories beginning with soft compounds and working our way up.

Track & Competition DOT

These tires offer maximum grip in race environments where performance is key and treadlife is sacrificed. In order to be competitive, these tires feature a soft tread compound that tends to be very adhesive. These soft tires wear much faster than a standard street tire and aren't recommend for street use. Take a look at the Hoosier A6, a popular autocross tire to see an example. Note this tire's low UTQG figure of 40.
 

Max Performance Summer

This category features high-performance tires designed for street use. Although not nearly as soft as the race products outlined above, they're at home in a performance environment. This is an optimal choice for a driver looking for acceptable levels of treadwear combined with a high-performing grip level. Even though these tires offer much more flexibility, I'm reminded of an economics lesson: There is no free lunch. The longest wearing Max Performance Summer tires will not outlast a good performing all-season option. Sometimes a driver must choose between smiles and miles. Take a look at our current top-rated summer tire, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport and its 300 indicated UTQG treadwear.
 

Ultra High Performance All-Season

Perhaps our most popular and best-selling category, the Ultra High Performance All-Season, promotes higher treadwear in exchange for some loss in ultimate dry grip. Although not as soft, and therefore not as sticky as the Max Performance Summer tires, these tires still place a good amount of focus on performance. This new breed of all-season tires typically lasts between 30,000-50,000 miles and allows the driver to experience practicality while also including good performance features such as a responsive sidewalls and higher speed ratings. The Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position is currently the number one tire in this category and carries a UTQG number of 400.

Standard Touring All-Season

Tires in this category sacrifice performance in terms of ultimate dry grip to focus on maximum life and mileage. These tires are designed for conservative drivers that are looking for the best in ride, treadlife and practicality. These tires aren't meant for track use or for aggressive street driving, but often work well as purposeful all-season tires. The popular Hankook Optimo H727 is a great example of such a tire. Notice that its 700 treadwear fits this category to a tee.

Not only do Hoosier's racing tires provide outstanding performance on the track, but they're also produced right here in Indiana. Experienced road racers and autocrossers who get great performance from this Midwest tire company will tell you to look no further than Hoosier for your race tire needs.

Hoosier's racing tires are popular for competition use in the following events:

• Autocross
• Road Racing
• SCCA Racing
• Time Attack Racing

Hoosier A6

Hoosier R6

If you're chasing cones in an autocross event or have a very light road race car and want maximum grip at the cost of some wear, choose the Hoosier A6. The tire is an exceptional choice for autocross events because it heats up very quickly for the short runs. As mentioned, Hoosier A6 tires can be used at the track on a lightweight vehicle, but will wear quickly due to its very soft rubber compound. 
 

For heavier cars and most track driving applications, the Hoosier R6 is the proper choice. With a more gradual warm-up time and consistency lap after lap, the tire is well suited for lapping sessions and competition driving.  

When viewing the tires, you'll notice that both the A6 and R6 have the same two groove shallow tread pattern that's designed for maximum dry grip and reduced tread squirm. The difference between the two is in the rubber compound.
 

For detailed information on each tire's temperature recommendations, initial run heat cycle, tire pressure recommendations for competition and more, download "R6 & A6: Tire Care and Safety Guidelines" (PDF). 

Note: Hoosier A6 and R6 tires meet Department of Transportation requirements for marking and performance only and aren't intended for highway use. And like all Dry Racetrack & Autocross Only tires, these Hoosier tires are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice. It's also essential these tires be stored indoors at temperatures maintained above 32 degrees F.

Hoosier A6 and R6 Dry Racetrack & Autocross Only tires have proven themselves to be at the pinnacle of racing performance, but many autocross drivers don't know which one best suits their needs. There are some overlapping qualities between the two, however these tires are purpose-built for two different functions.
 

Hoosier A6 tires are intended to be used as autocross tires. The science behind this function is the very soft rubber compound. The tire has a lower operating temperature for maximum traction. Many autocross events are too short of a course to get a typical race tire up to its optimal race temperature, therefore if the tire is too cold you'll never get the best grip the tire can offer. A downside is that the treadlife is lower on the A6 when compared to the R6. However, if you want the quickest lap times at the autocross course, the A6 is definitely the tire that can deliver. 
 

Hoosier A6

Hoosier R6

R6 tires are designed for drivers who compete in road racing where there's longer road courses or lapping days over a longer period of time than an autocross event. R6 tires use a harder rubber compound which takes more time to build up heat to reach its optimal operating temperature. Harder rubber compound also offers a longer treadlife.
 

The Hoosier R6 is also seen on many autocross courses and is still appropriate for use at these events. Many racers like this tire for autocross because they'll get much more racing time on their tire. However, if these tires are raced cold, racers will be sacrificing maximum grip for treadlife. It's recommended to run these tires hotter for autocross than the Hoosier A6 to maintain better traction.
 

Both tires will benefit from the Tire Rack Heat Cycling Service and it can be added to your order for $15 per tire.

Recently, we announced our new relationship with Toyo. Although we have carried Toyo tires in the past, fitments had been limited to those that came Original Equipment on select newer vehicles. 
 

Adding Toyo's line-up of tires will strengthen our already wide selection of competition-based tires and allow customers to select from popular intermediate compounds that are known to wear longer than super soft tires such as the Hoosier R6 and A6. Tires added to our line-up include the following:

• Toyo Proxes R1R
• Toyo Proxes RA1
• Toyo Proxes R888

Moreover, these tires are offered in a wide array of hard-to-find fitments and will make for good selections for those with few performance options. Given the outstanding reputation of the R888, I can't wait to get my hands on a set of 225/45-15s for my own personal use. This tire promises an excellent choice for those looking for a 100 treadwear tire.

Note: Many sanctioning racing bodies also use the Toyo RA1 as a spec tire in various classes.

 

The first run of a competition tire's life is the most important. If we look at tire construction from a microscopic level the tire is made up of many weak and strong molecular bonds. During any run a tire will stretch and flex which breaks the weaker bonds and generates heat. However, if you take your new tires that have never been driven on to the track and push them too hard and too long, you'll also break some of those stronger bonds. Breaking down these stronger bonds compromises the tire's ultimate grip.
 

In order to get the most life and best traction from your competition tires it's recommended to heat cycle them before competitive use. Tire Rack uses a heat cycling process which puts an inflated tire between rollers and applies pressure while the tire is brought up to speed. The natural deflection of the tire will build up heat within the tire's normal operating range. There's no artificial heat needed. The roller process allows the most even heat distribution across the entire tread of the tire which gives a more precise heat cycle than can be attained on the track.
 

Once the proper temperature is confirmed with a pyrometer, the tire is stamped to designate it's been "Tire Rack Heat Cycled." It's recommended that the tire not be driven on for 24-48 hours after heat cycling so the bonds broken during the process can reform in a more uniformed and stronger orientation. Hoosier racing tires, as well as competition tires from Yokohama and Kumho should be heat cycled before they're used in competition.  
 

Tire Rack's heat cycling service can be added to your order for $15 per tire. Take a look at our competition tires to see how Tire Rack can help you have a more successful racing season.

Choosing the best tire is one of the most important factors of a successful autocross season. Racers spend lots of time and energy in extracting every ounce of horsepower and torque from their engine, and sometimes forget that all of this power is useless unless it can be effectively transferred to the track. There are four small patches of rubber that play the most important role in determining your vehicle's level of performance.  
 

There are two distinct groups of autocross tires. The first group is made up of dedicated track tires that are DOT approved, but are never intended for street use. Drivers using these tires want maximum dry grip and will have separate wheels to install at the track. I believe the best tires in the Dry Racetrack & Autocross Only category are the Hoosier A6, Hankook Ventus Z214 and Kumho Ecsta V710.
 

Hoosier A6

Hankook Ventus Z214

Kumho Ecsta V710

 

The second group of tires is for the autocrosser who's willing to sacrifice some dry grip in order to have a tire they can drive to and from the track. In the Extreme Performance Summer category I like the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11, Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec and Hankook Ventus R-S3.

 

Bridgestone Potenza RE-11

Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec

Hankook Ventus R-S3

 

I think these tires are the best choices in each group because of their dry traction and steering response are some the highest rated by customers who have used the tires. Unlike shopping for any other tire, these are the two most important attributes to an autocross tire. Anything else like ride comfort or road noise is ancillary to your autocross needs.
 

Whether you're looking for Hoosier tires for sale, Hankook reviews or to buy Dunlop tires, our website offers you everything you need to have the best autocross season!

 Following the fun of our R-compound tire test, we thought it would be an interesting experiment to run the car in the C Street Prepared class at the Tire Rack SCCA Solo Championship event in Lincoln, Nebraska. Since our regular drivers can’t compete in more than one class we drafted GRM’s newest editor and long-time Miata owner Alan Cesar to make his first trip to Nationals and drive in CSP. We also twisted the arm of SCCA’s VP of Rally/Solo Howard Duncan to take a turn at the wheel, too. Just to keep things interesting neither driver had an opportunity to practice in the car prior to their first run. To make matters even more challenging, the morning dawned with pouring rain soaking the course.

The rain stopped as runs got underway, with plenty of water still on the course. All the competitors had bolted on their racing rain tires, so we rolled up our STR “wet” tires of choice, the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec. Conditions continued to dry out so we installed the Hoosier A6 radials for the 2^nd and 3^rd runs, figuring it was going to all come down to the final run, anyway.

Alan was the first driver, and had to live with lingering damp and puddles, which made driving at the limit on the virtually-slick Hoosiers a real challenge. A spin and several big slides on his first two runs left Alan playing it safe to get a clean run in the bank heading into day 2. Duncan took maximum advantage of a rerun and the continually improving conditions to lay down the 6^th fastest time of the class!

Day two was a different story, with warm, humid and most importantly dry conditions. Alan adapted to the sticky Hoosiers, showing no fear as he attacked the course. Cone trouble on his first two runs again forced Alan into safe mode to get a good one in the books. Howard is no stranger to R-compound tires, also driving hard right out of the gate. His scratch times were solid, but cone trouble penalties on all three runs pushed Howard down to 11^th spot, just out of the trophies.

The car showed good speed in CSP, despite the relatively mild prep level (for the STR class). It would be an interesting experiment to d a little more development and try the car in CSP. Hmmm. Back to the matters at hand, the next stop for Project STR during Nationals week in Lincoln is in the Street Tire Roadster class with project drivers Chris Harvey and John Rogers at the wheel. 

The A6 Radial from Hoosier is a Dry Racetrack & Autocross Only tire developed for drivers who compete in autocross, time trial and hillclimb events in dry conditions where responsiveness and high levels of grip are desirable. This particular Hoosier tire begins with a tread depth of 4.5/32" and does not require shaving for competition. However, it will benefit from a minimal scuff-in prior to its first run. It is important to note that Hoosier Racing Tires meet Department of Transportation requirements for marking and performance only and are not intended for highway use.

Read "Getting More Out of Competition Tires" for important tips on inflation pressure and storing a competition tire.
 

With summer time here, it's time to get your Corvette out and go! Of all the cool sport cars that we get to work with, the Corvette is among my favorites because so many Corvette drivers drive their cars daily. What's the point of having a great car if you're not going to drive it? 

For C6 Z06 drivers that drive on the street and the track, rear 18" lightweight wheel availability has been limited until now. O.Z. Racing has introduced an 18x12 57mm offset Alleggerita HLT that's ideal for track use.

The anthracite painted (pictured above) and black painted finishes are currently available, while other painted finishes can be special ordered for delivery in approximately 60 days include blue, gold, orange, red and white.

Since the C6 Z06 typically comes with 18" front and 19" rear Original Equipment sizes, it's not possible to display the 18" wheels on our Upgrade Garage, so contact a sales specialist for assistance.

Combined with the 18x10 40mm offset front size ($399* Anthracite, $414* Black and $429* other finishes) you can run the following custom fit track fitments of 345/35-18 Hoosier R6 or A6 in the rear and either 295/30-18 or 315/30-18 in the front.  These custom fit track fitments are aggressive fitments where the edge of the tire will be further out towards the fender. Suspension modification may be required to clear the fender lips.

This 18" combination weighs 3.8 lbs. less per rear wheel compared to the 345/30-19 Hoosier R6 on 19x12" O.Z. Racing Ultraleggera HLTs. 3.8 lbs. Less rotational weight will significantly improve braking and accelerating at the track. Read "Road Wheel Weights Can Affect Your Vehicle's Show...and Go" to see how lighter wheels can affect a vehicle's ability to accelerate, brake and corner.

Keep in mind that the above tire sizes are custom fit options, so whether or not you rub depends on a number of factors:

As we look through our comments in the log book, one that stands out is rear wheel spin as we try to accelerate to the next corner. We’ve worked on the KW coil-over suspension to try and increase rear end grip, and even tried different tires, settling on the Hankook Ventus R-S3. And while this has helped, at most event sites we can still slide the rear exiting medium to high speed corners, resulting in sideways motion without forward progress. A look at the data stream from our onboard Race Technology data logger shows the OE Mazda diff still allows some single wheel spin, and we’re getting inside wheelspin and not just sliding both rears.

So we turned to the guys at OS Giken, makers of some tricky driveline parts and the OS Super Lock LSD. This tunable limited slip diff allows the rear end to lock smoothly with power application, and can be tuned to have different lock rates during acceleration and deceleration.

To simplify our installation and allow us the opportunity to try some back to back testing, we sourced a separate diff carrier to install the Giken unit in. This allowed us to simply swap out the pre-loaded diff housing in about 2.5 hours, with the help of a co-worker’s lift. Some things shouldn’t be done on the garage floor.



















After a few break in miles, Project STR driver Chris Harvey joined the fun with the Windy City Miata Club to get an initial read on how the freshly installed OS Giken limited slip differential works. The competitors enjoyed great courses and lots of runs as they battled to reduce time throughout the day. Chris piloted the Project STR MX5 to the quickest time of the day for all Mazda's entered and 2nd overall for the event, just a few tenths behind a well prepped and driven BMW M3 running on ultra-grippy Hoosier autocross tires.

Next up for Project STR will be the SCCA Great Lakes Division Championship event held at Grissom AFB in Peru, IN, August 6th and 7th.  

Most race enthusiasts know if Hoosier tires are the right choice for their next competition. But what about the consumer who needs help comprehending tire speed ratings or how to make an informed purchase based on a tire comparison? Our website is filled with shopping tools that make your online experience as efficient and enjoyable as if you were talking on the phone to one of our sales specialists. So whether you want to shop for tires or other products such as wheels, brakes and more, just remember - tirerack.com is much more than a tire website.

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