At the Annual Lotus Owner's Gathering in State College, PA, last Sept 29-Oct 1,
Tom Mason, a high performance marketing specialist for Yokohama Tire Corp. gave
an informal, but interesting discussion on high-performance tires.
On the differences between the A001R and the A008: the A001R is faster under
autocrossing conditions on a light car, because it is basically a rain road-race
tire with a low operating temperature range of 120 to 140 degrees. The A008R
works best between 180 and 200 degrees. Those kinds of temperatures are very
difficult to generate on an autocross course, to begin with, and even more so
in a light car.
Tom discussed the differences between passenger-car tires and high-performance
tires with construction techniques applied to each type of tire. While most of
us are aware of aspect ratio and tread differences in these tires, we probably
don't fully understand some of the other variables, such as ply turnups,
coefficients of expansion, and belting angles- which Tom also covered.
On the use of tire-temperature testing with pyrometers: Pyrometer tests are
only as good as the person doing the test and the test itself. If a car can be
tested coming off of a skid pad or a road course in less than one quarter of a
mile- test! Otherwise, forget it. The reason for expeditious testing is due
to the high heat-transfer coefficient of the thin race tires. He emphasized
this by stating that "whatever side of the car exited the last fast corner gets
measured first".
Tom showed off the new line of Yokohama tires and explained some of the
features that they offer, such as asymmetrical design. The new AVSA+4 is
described as "absolutely unbelievable" -sort of an A008R with mud and snow
tread.
For further information, Tom Mason can be reached at: 1-(800)423-4544 x-7509
which is the message center number, or try 1-(800)524-0887 or 1-(201)248-1616.
-- Tom Watt
Open Software Foundation
11 Cambridge Center
Cambridge, MA 02142
Phone:(617)621-8711
Internet: watt@osf.org
|