Opinion on USED Grand-Am Continental/Hoosier Race Tires

[FrenchBoy]

A number of reputable race teams sell their used grand-Am Cup specific Continental/Hoosier Race Tires. They are allegedly only lightly used and have between 2 and 4 heat cycles (or 2 hours) in them.

Does anyone around here have actual track experience with these? I am entertaining the idea of getting a set as they are pretty cheap. There are however a few things that worry me:
1. How many extra heat cycles can I expect to put into them before they're shot?
2. Are all used tires about even in their wear state?
3. I understand this is a spec tire that is not equivalent to other Hoosier tires. What's the closest equivalent tire in terms of tread wear? Hoosier R6, BFG R1? Toyo R888? Other?

I currently get about 6-8 track days out of my current track tires (NT-01 or R888). I like the idea of buying used track tires to lower the cost. However, if I can only get 2 or 3 track days out of them, and then you factor in the cost on mounting 4 tires, I'm not sure this is such an economical and convenient approach.

Any thoughts?

[klammer]

I know of one guy on here that did exactly what you speak of and had no issues and seemed to like the setup on track. He's supercharged as well so maybe he'll chime in with some feedback on the deal. Seems like a good value, good luck✋

[rzm3]

They are made by Hoosier and rebranded Continental. See here: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-44...-27535-18.aspx

[tinpot]

Originally Posted by rldzhao

They are made by Hoosier and rebranded Continental. See here: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-44...-27535-18.aspx

I just ordered 4 of these

[Gearhead999s]

I have used these before and they are a very fast tire but do require some tender care if you want to get any life out of them as they require a lot of camber.I got 45 minutes out of my rears before they corded on my 08 M3.My tires had 1 or 2 heat cycles on them before I used them.I have gotten sets in the past that had only a few laps on them and still had the mold lines on them.

[dapopa9]

Talk to 'JPJP' here on the board. He has a lot of experience with them. - http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=468291

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by Gearhead999s

I have used these before and they are a very fast tire but do require some tender care if you want to get any life out of them as they require a lot of camber.

Isn't that true with any R-Comp or slick tire...need more camber or you'll cord the outer edges pretty quickly?

Shady1D (or something similar) I believe bought some tires from JPJP and used them. I briefly talked to him about his tires, he seemed pretty happy.

I wonder if these tires are closer to R-Comps except they last longer or are they like a full racing slick?

[mastek]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Isn't that true with any R-Comp or slick tire...need more camber or you'll cord the outer edges pretty quickly?

Shady1D (or something similar) I believe bought some tires from JPJP and used them. I briefly talked to him about his tires, he seemed pretty happy.

I wonder if these tires are closer to R-Comps except they last longer or are they like a full racing slick?

These are a step up from BFG R1 gripwise. Waaaay better then NT01 or R888. I would bput these as the best R-Comp tire (like an R6 - they are basically R6s) ... and even better in grip then the worst slicks.

[FrenchBoy]

Thanks for the input guys. I got -3 deg of camber in front and -2 in the rear so camber should be okay. I'm an A group driver and sessions runs about 20/25 mins. 4 per track day.

Will I be able to get at least 3 or 4 track days out of them? Gearhead999s doesn't seem to think so.

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by FrenchBoy

Thanks for the input guys. I got -3 deg of camber in front and -2 in the rear so camber should be okay. I'm an A group driver and sessions runs about 20/25 mins. 4 per track day.

Will I be able to get at least 3 or 4 track days out of them? Gearhead999s doesn't seem to think so.

The 2 times that I have run them on a somewhat abrasive track I never made it to noon!They are just like a hard compound Hoosier(which they are) which on my properly set up C5 Z06 i would get 2 days(4 hours) out of them on a track that known to be easy on tires.Yes I am somewhat agressiveBy comparision I get 13-15 days out on my NT05's on the same tracks and have just as much fun with a much lower tire cost than running any of the R-Compound tires.

[the///Mthree]

Originally Posted by mastek

These are a step up from BFG R1 gripwise. Waaaay better then NT01 or R888. I would bput these as the best R-Comp tire (like an R6 - they are basically R6s) ... and even better in grip then the worst slicks.

THIS TIRE IS NOT A STEP UP FROM BFG R1!!! THE BFG IS A STEP UP!!!

I have a decent amount of time on both

[arter]

Originally Posted by FrenchBoy

Will I be able to get at least 3 or 4 track days out of them? Gearhead999s doesn't seem to think so.

You can get about 4 track days at most out of a set of Hoosier R6's, with the first 2 days having better stick than the last two days. This is why they are selling them after 2 track days. they still are good tires, just not as good as new. Expect to get up to 2 more days on an average track. A tight track with sharp turns, maybe less ( a lot less if you are Gearhead999)

[Gearhead999s]

Originally Posted by arter

You can get about 4 track days at most out of a set of Hoosier R6's, with the first 2 days having better stick than the last two days. This is why they are selling them after 2 track days. they still are good tires, just not as good as new. Expect to get up to 2 more days on an average track. A tight track with sharp turns, maybe less ( a lot less if you are Gearhead999)

I am not agressive at all

[ShadeD1]

I'm on my 4th set of used slicks and my 1st of the Continentals. I've been very happy with them and the price (about $450 shipped for 275/35/18). They tend to have some pretty big turds on them but after a lap or two they clean right up. I was running Hoosier R6 at 285/30/18 so I don't have a direct comparison but I seem to be about a second slower on the 275s.

I was smoking them pretty quick but I've added the Ground control camber plates, and-2.2 all the way around, and seem to get 7 track days or so out of them if I flip them on the rims once.

Originally Posted by FrenchBoy

A number of reputable race teams sell their used grand-Am Cup specific Continental/Hoosier Race Tires. They are allegedly only lightly used and have between 2 and 4 heat cycles (or 2 hours) in them.

Does anyone around here have actual track experience with these? I am entertaining the idea of getting a set as they are pretty cheap. There are however a few things that worry me:
1. How many extra heat cycles can I expect to put into them before they're shot?
2. Are all used tires about even in their wear state?
3. I understand this is a spec tire that is not equivalent to other Hoosier tires. What's the closest equivalent tire in terms of tread wear? Hoosier R6, BFG R1? Toyo R888? Other?

I currently get about 6-8 track days out of my current track tires (NT-01 or R888). I like the idea of buying used track tires to lower the cost. However, if I can only get 2 or 3 track days out of them, and then you factor in the cost on mounting 4 tires, I'm not sure this is such an economical and convenient approach.

Any thoughts?

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by ShadeD1

I'm on my 4th set of used slicks and my 1st of the Continentals. I've been very happy with them and the price (about $450 shipped for 275/35/18). They tend to have some pretty big turds on them but after a lap or two they clean right up. I was running Hoosier R6 at 285/30/18 so I don't have a direct comparison but I seem to be about a second slower on the 275s.

I was smoking them pretty quick but I've added the Ground control camber plates, and-2.2 all the way around, and seem to get 6 track days or so out of them if I flip them on the rims once.

Did you have the camber plates when I met you back in Sep?

OT...how funny. Two memebers with almost the same screen name, both in Texas, both with a first name of James.

[ShadeD1]

I just put the camber plates in in October, have about 6 track days on them.

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Did you have the camber plates when I met you back in Sep?

OT...how funny. Two memebers with almost the same screen name, both in Texas, both with a first name of James.

[sc_tr0jan_m3]

I've tried the Conti/hoosier tires from jpjpjp and they arrived with a ton of life left in the tires. I mounted them on my track setup and quickly realized these tires have an insane amount of grip.

To get the most out of them you'll hafta dial in some major camber. I run about -2.5 and that wasn't enough to feel like I was maxing them out. Also they like to have roughly low 30 psi when hot. Any hotter than that and they'll get greasy pretty quick.

After a weekend of 9 20 or 30 min sessions there was still plenty of life left. I can't imagine going back to street tires or rcomps in the future...

[FrenchBoy]

Thanks all for the replies. I have a hard time making up my mind whether this is a route I want to try. There seems to be pros and cons. I guess I have the winter to think about it.

[ring007]

I ran 4 sets of the used ones from Turner this year (Road America and Autobahn). You'll get 2 track days out of them at most. They will either heat cycle out (you'll know it when it happens) or they will cord. Get a square setup so you can rotate front to back and side to side. If you don't you will cord them in 1 day on the driver side (for a clockwise track). They last longer than R6's and in my experience are about 1-2 seconds slower than the R6's on a 3 mile track. Not a bad deal, but they got to be a pita with the amount of time I spent running wheels and tires around to the dealer to get them mounted/balanced. I'm going to try running new sets this year to compare cost/hassle compared to the used ones.

[bigjae1976]

I've been asking around as well. Everyone I've talked to has been pretty happy. The guy did mention that he got a pair that were heat cycled out and JPJP took good care of him.

Let's talk costs. A set of R6s cost ~$1360 ($1260 + shipping) new. So if you get 2 track days out of a used set which costs:

$400 - Tires
$100 - Shipping
$100 - mount and balance
Total - $600

So if a new R6 can last more than 4 days...new might be the way to go.

Feel free to adjust my numbers...

[arter]

I look at these as an easy way to cheaply see if you like these kinds of tires.

My numbers worked out to being about 2/3's of the cost of new, but you are missing out on the best stick from the new tires in the first half of their life.

the hassle of changing and mounting tires would get to me with used. Changing every 2 days would be a pain. I am already thinking of getting a second set of track wheels to heat cycle in the next set and to balance wear across sets..... My wife will kill me if I have another stack of tires in the garage...

[brave1heart]

Originally Posted by FrenchBoy

A number of reputable race teams sell their used grand-Am Cup specific Continental/Hoosier Race Tires. They are allegedly only lightly used and have between 2 and 4 heat cycles (or 2 hours) in them.

Does anyone around here have actual track experience with these? I am entertaining the idea of getting a set as they are pretty cheap. There are however a few things that worry me:
1. How many extra heat cycles can I expect to put into them before they're shot?
2. Are all used tires about even in their wear state?
3. I understand this is a spec tire that is not equivalent to other Hoosier tires. What's the closest equivalent tire in terms of tread wear? Hoosier R6, BFG R1? Toyo R888? Other?

I currently get about 6-8 track days out of my current track tires (NT-01 or R888). I like the idea of buying used track tires to lower the cost. However, if I can only get 2 or 3 track days out of them, and then you factor in the cost on mounting 4 tires, I'm not sure this is such an economical and convenient approach.

Any thoughts?

N., Schnoerr runs them and won class AR at the AX with them. Great value! He was getting more than 2-3 days out of a set for sure, I'd have to ask him.