Tracks Unite to Modify Tire Rule
 

HAUBSTADT, Ind., Feb. 16 – To discourage the need for the chemical altering of tires and to keep the competition as equal as possible, seven Indiana sprint car tracks have mutually agreed to modify their respective track tire rules for the 2021 season.

After careful consideration, the promoters agreed to allow an additional right-rear tire to be used by their 410 non-wing sprint car competitors. The tire choices will be the Hoosier 105/16.0-15 medium or the recently approved Hoosier H15 softer compound tire.

The group of dirt tracks includes Bloomington Speedway, Gas City I-69 Speedway, Kokomo Speedway, Lawrenceburg Speedway, Lincoln Park Speedway in Putnamville, Paragon Speedway, and Tri-State Speedway in Haubstadt.

The Midwest Sprint Car Series (MSCS) will also adopt the same rule for 2021.

“We feel this is an opportunity for teams to choose a tire that is more suitable for the various track conditions they encounter throughout the season,” said Tom Helfrich, promoter of Tri-State Speedway and president of MSCS. “All seven tracks involved have a little different character to them in regards to track surfaces.”

Kokomo Speedway promoter Reece O’Connor said the group also considered the economic upside to adding the Hoosier H15 as an option.

“I strongly feel the addition of the H15 is a cost-effective alternative to adding or enhancing the current $3,000-to-$4,000 shock packages many teams are utilizing,” O’Connor said. “This gives the lower-budget teams a better opportunity to compete on a more level playing field. Bolting on a $200 right-rear tire is a lot cheaper than the further development and increased expense of shock technology, $1,600 tire bleeder systems, and other handling technology that’s taking place. I also think you’re going to see less dust, better track conditions, and a higher level of close, competitive racing that our fans deserve.”

Currently the USAC national midget series offers the same two tire compound choices, while the Hoosier H15 is common in World of Outlaws and All Star Circuit of Champions competition.

“Currently the USAC national midget series offers the same two tire compound choices”

Not sure what USAC midgets tires have to do with local Sprintcar tire rules but USAC’s rules are the following, unless they have also changed?

-USAC Midgets-
D. National Midget Tires (LF- D12, D15) (RF-D12, D15, D20) (LR-D12, D20) (RR-SP2, SP3)

-USAC Sprintcars-
309 Tires
A. Hoosier 105/16-15 MEDIUM, 105/18- Hard and F-85A are the only approved right rear tires.

Re: Tracks Unite to Modify Tire Rule
 

So they're saying high dollar shocks and bleeders won't be an advantage with an H15 RR. I guess someone should tell the wing guys they're wasting a lot of money on them....

Re: Tracks Unite to Modify Tire Rule
 

The big guys are not going to stop spending money, PERIOD! They are going to continue shock development. The big dogs put on a new tire every race. If you want to beat them the little guy has to do the same thing. NO MONEY SAVED. Now you have to buy an additional tire that wears out quicker. The only guy who wins is the tire guy (HOOSIER). They're still going to dope tires.

Re: Tracks Unite to Modify Tire Rule
 

The article also says this will reduce the temptation of doping,lol. This article is full of contradictions. So whats the real reason? Although this tire cures all, including
track prep. I think I'll hold on to my CSI's and good bleeders.

Re: Tracks Unite to Modify Tire Rule
 

When I was soaking tires in the Modifieds we never soaked a new tire, it was always to breath life into an old wore out tire to squeak by another week. It did wonders for hand-me-downs that had been a little over heated by their previous owners.

Re: Tracks Unite to Modify Tire Rule
 

Okay. I'll bite:

I understand what they are trying to accomplish. How does an open tire rule not accomplish the same thing?

Re: Tracks Unite to Modify Tire Rule
 

I don"t think this rule will stop the high dollar teams from spending money on shocks, or putting on new tires for every race. I think the big teams will still dope the tires and take the chance of not getting caught. I think the only winner with this rule will be Hoosier Tire.

How about adding this rule "f" from the World of Outlaws rule book. The same rule applies to the All Star series. This would help level the playing field for non wing racing at all levels, my opinion.

f) During all race nights the same marked right rear tire used in qualifying must be used throughout the Heat(s)
and the A-Main.

The downfall of this rule is basically you have to buy a new tire every night. Agree top teams will buy new tires every night. A lot of budget guys are buying used tires and will run the best tires they have and maybe strap a new one on if starting up front.

I just don’t see how going to a softer tire helps at all. To bad you don’t see any of that Hoosier money going into the nightly purse.

Re: Tracks Unite to Modify Tire Rule
 

BINGO!!!! It goes to the sectioning bodies, where I think it stays. :7:

I know when Bloomington first went to a spec RR Mike & Judy increased the sprint purse. That was a long time ago. I would think most tracks increased their purse too. Everyone just forgets.

Sandy as I remember mike telling us that hoosier gave them $ to add to purse or point fund or their pockets , and mike put it in our purse, and if I recall right he added it to the bottom 5 spots ?

I agree 100% run the same tire you qualify on and to check for prep no matter who it is check the first 3 and back through the field at random different positions every night so you never know if you will be checked or not

It was a long time ago but I think you are correct. Not sure if it was only 5 spots but I know it increased the start money.

Re: Tracks Unite to Modify Tire Rule
 

Does anyone know if the sidewall construction of each tire is comparable?

Running 2 years with a wing car in Ohio and Pa. The only RR tire you could run was a MC3. And was cheap to buy. I can't remember any track that did not.

Lynn

Re: Tracks Unite to Modify Tire Rule
 

I was at Montpelier couple yrs back & Paul Hazen car won:22: w/ a used American Racer, Paul said he was gonna use it again:8:, the tire looked good, had plenty of tread left. What's the big deal about Hoosier tires:16? seems like every group uses them & they don't last:15:, really wanna save racers money? use a tire that last.:32:

Re: Tracks Unite to Modify Tire Rule
 

Exactly!!! Hoosier came up with a plan to basically bribe sanctioning bodies, tracks, and promoters to exclusively use Hoosier tires with kick back money. Somehow, no one seems to be smart enough to realize that these incentives or kick backs are just their own money coming back to them after Hoosier takes their profit out first. American Racer (Mccreary) has always made a superior product that will run more than one race without falling off. Hoosier bought its monopoly and the racers are the ones that are hurt by it. Tires can most certainly be made to last. Hoosier could create a tire that would run a number of races and remain competitive, but it's not a good business model as they don't make money on tires that they don't sell. Until the racers stand up and say "enough is enough", they will continue to pay top dollar for a substandard product.

On a side note, didn't Foyt's last 500 win run on one set of tires for the entire race?

Re: Tracks Unite to Modify Tire Rule