I thought I read that 235's were going to be allowed into STS at some point. Is it true?

 

245 width passed for STX on 10/22
http://www.scca.org/news/fastrack/03-01.pdf

And 8" rims passed for STX on 3/19
http://www.scca.org/news/fastrack/02-06.pdf

No changes considered for STS though. Tell me about it, that's my daily size too.

 

That sucks. I'm almost considering 215/50 or 225/45 for my next set of tires for that very reason.

 

225/45/17's! 2% better gearing, a bit more width, and better steering & handling response overall.
I believe BFG KD's are avail

 

225/45 17 azenis as well. I use that size on my S2000 just not for racing.

 

on a 8" rim?

 

Why not? According to Falken's site that Azenis sect width is 9.1" meas on a 7.5" rim. So that would be approx 9.3" on a 8" rim. 86% wheel-to-tire width ratio is very desirable. I haven't looked at STX lately but I'd guess that combo is on 50%+ entries.

 

- I haven't heard anything about upping the size in STS. Maybe next year or the year after. You have to realize that when most people think of STS, they think of smaller cars. 225 is plenty big for Civics and Sentra's, whereas its just adaquate for our boats. I would love to be able to run an 8" wide rim and a 245 wide tire, but I don't think that its in the cards. Plus, smaller tires are typically cheaper and STS was designed to be kind of economical, in a rice-boy sense.

- I do have to admit that I hated running on the BFG's, though. They break traction very suddenly and take a LONG time to get it back. Frankly, it was downright annoying to drive with them. I'm sticking to Azenis, myself. Azenis may be harder to brake with, but they are more predictable laterally and come back much quicker after losing traction.

 

Ok, so it's still 225 in STS. Makes sense though, even the fastest street SE-R's I know of all run 205/50/15's for the most part.

From what I've heard, BFG T/A KD's really shine on the track for their traction. Azeni's get greasy much faster than the T/A KD's do and don't stick as well... but considering the cost difference I'd rather run Azeni's myself.

I actually don't know anyone who's run T/A KD's for auto-x, everyone I know who's used them is a road course ***** (like me. Well ok, I'm still in training!)

 

Richard West was the only Topkea trophy winner last running on the BFG KD's in his Imprezza. GRM's tire testing last year did prove them faster than the Azenis's but only for those who could afford the advantage.

 

- I'm not sure that I agree with the GRM testing. I don't know if they allowed the tires time enough to cool between runs. Also, if I remember correctly, they ran three laps in succession.

- The important thing to remember from the article is that the Azenis don't operate well once they're really hot. I've had plenty of experience with the no-man's-land temperature range at a track day with my Azenis, so I can agree with that finding.

- HOWEVER, if this is the case, then three runs right after each other would surely get the Azenis into their crappy heat range. If this is the case, then the results of the GRM test would be null and void. There is plenty of time for the tires to cool between actual AutoX runs, which means that they're in their grippy heat range by the time you get up to the line. Point is, the Azenis might be grippier than the GRM test said they were.

- I really, really didn't like the BFG's when I drove on them. When they lose it, they sliiiiiiidddddee all over the place before they grab again. Azenis might suck on a road course, but they are a phenomenal AutoX tire.

 

Hey Guys just wanted to let you all know that I Just got the new 2003 SCCA Solo RuleBook and guess what?? 245's are now legal in STS-STX
I am kind of mad because I had looked all over for that max legal size and everyone said it was 225, even on the scca forums. but the rulebook says in black and white 245 in STS ....though I am not too sure how that works out exactly as most good STS legal tires need an 8in rim to fit on...but you can only run a 7.5in rim in STS.

 

It's still 225 in STS. Misprint in the rulebook. 245 holds for STX only. Misprint correctly shortly afterwards.