Nissan 370Z Forum - View Single Post - RE-71R experiment?

Z1NONLY · 03-27-2015, 06:45 PM

The new RE-71R "street tire" from Bridgestone seems to be running and more importantly wearing, like a race tire with a tread pattern...and a 200 treadwear rating to make it "legal" for the street-tire classes.

Many people seem to be reporting accelerated wear over previous street-tire offerings from various manufacturers. I would like to quantify this in an experiment.

I'm considering:

1)Fitting a Miata (small, cheap tire sizes) with RE71R's on one side and RE-11A's on the other.

2)Use a traction circle and a pyrometer to set appropriate air pressures for each pair of tires.

2)Constructing a symmetrical course and running it in both directions, repeatedly, with consistent drivers. (-making sure that each driver splits their directional numbers evenly)

3)Document wear with before and after tread-depth measurements and pictures.

*IF* there is a huge difference between two different tires that a single manufacturer has rated with identical tread-wear ratings, then I think it's fair to say that Bridgstone was incorrect with its treadwear rating process/number and the exclusion list should be considered.

If the RE71R's wear similar to the RE11A's, great. But if there is a gross difference in wear, the SCCA has an exclusion list and the RE71R should be on it.

I fear that allowing tire manufacturers to stamp "200 treadwear" on the side of a compound that isn't even close...without repercussions...will be bad for autocrossing.

So, before I bother to set up this process:

-Does anyone even care?

-What other variables should I try to control for?

03-27-2015, 06:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Z1NONLY Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: SW Florida Posts: 355 Drives: 16 FR-S Rep Power: 40	RE-71R experiment? The new RE-71R "street tire" from Bridgestone seems to be running and more importantly wearing, like a race tire with a tread pattern...and a 200 treadwear rating to make it "legal" for the street-tire classes. Many people seem to be reporting accelerated wear over previous street-tire offerings from various manufacturers. I would like to quantify this in an experiment. I'm considering: 1)Fitting a Miata (small, cheap tire sizes) with RE71R's on one side and RE-11A's on the other. 2)Use a traction circle and a pyrometer to set appropriate air pressures for each pair of tires. 2)Constructing a symmetrical course and running it in both directions, repeatedly, with consistent drivers. (-making sure that each driver splits their directional numbers evenly) 3)Document wear with before and after tread-depth measurements and pictures. IF there is a huge difference between two different tires that a single manufacturer has rated with identical tread-wear ratings, then I think it's fair to say that Bridgstone was incorrect with its treadwear rating process/number and the exclusion list should be considered. If the RE71R's wear similar to the RE11A's, great. But if there is a gross difference in wear, the SCCA has an exclusion list and the RE71R should be on it. I fear that allowing tire manufacturers to stamp "200 treadwear" on the side of a compound that isn't even close...without repercussions...will be bad for autocrossing. So, before I bother to set up this process: -Does anyone even care? -What other variables should I try to control for?