Jeff,
A couple of years ago, I attended the press conference that Hoosier held in
Las Vegas as a representative for North American Pylon. This was just prior
to the release of the line of Street Hoosiers you are refering to in your
post.
They stated at that presentation that they didn't have enough capacity in
their own plants to build all the race tires they do "AND" a volume line of
street tires as well. Hoosier presented blue prints, specs and compounding
information to Kelly-Springfield. Kelly agreed to build the Hoosier street
tires to that set of specs under Hoosier supervision. So it can be said that
those tires are Hoosiers, just subcontracted to a plant with excess
capacity.
And before you jump to conclusions, I am fully aware of private labeling and
how those programs work in many instances. You are correct that in sometimes
only the wrapper is significantly different.
I am sure that in this case the engineers at Hoosier had to make allowances
in their design so that the tire could be built on the Kelly-Springfield
equipment, almost every production line is optimized to work in a certain
way. That said, I have been involved in several private label deals where
the materials that went into the private label product were significantly
different than the stuff that went into the "name brand" normally produced
at that factory.
Maybe a test of Hoosier versus Kelly-Springfield's are in order.
Larry Steckel
>From: Jeff Lloyd <Jeff@cyberconceptz.com>
>Reply-To: Jeff Lloyd <Jeff@cyberconceptz.com>
>To: oblique@alum.mit.edu
>CC: volpp@netdoor.com, autox@autox.team.net
>Subject: Re: SCCA Spokesperson...... :-)
>Date: 27 May 2000 18:32:37 -0700
>
>I am considering how to support the tire companies that work to make our
>sport better.. I run hoosiers so I figured I would buy their street tires,
>untill I found they are just rebadged Kelly-Springfield tires..
>
>I was let down, I told Hoosier if they ever make a REAL hoosier street tire
>I will be their first customer.
>
>now they DID say they have plans in the skunkworks for a STS tire, a super
>sticky High performance tire with REAL useable tread and of course a 140
>treadwear rating..
>
>none of this has been made offical, yet.. but the Representitive told me
>their innital plans was to base it on the 3s03 line with a little
>reinforcement, so if it ever materalizes it will be light.. I guess they
>are waiting to see if STS will remain a class...
>
>I'm dreuling just thinking 'bout them
>
>Jeff Lloyd
>Hoosiers all around despite they do not build their own street tires...
>
>
>On Sat, 27 May 2000, Paul Cezanne wrote:
>
> > I started the Kumho street tire thread. And yes, I did buy the Kumho
> > street tires and yes I did buy them from Tire Rack.
> >
> > We have a local tire store that matches TireRack's internet pricing
> > (if you add shipping in) but I still chose to buy from our sponsor.
> >
> > So listen up sponsors, we do buy your stuff!
> > --
> >
> > pZ
> > --
> > Paul Cezanne (formerly Czarnecki)
> >
> > Help the UN feed the world for free @ http://www.thehungersite.com
>
>
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