FF1600 Tyres

Redracer77 · 14 Dec 2003, 12:51 (Ref:811574)

Not much FF1600 chat over the last couple of weeks so I am going to post some discusion.

Would it be a good idea to limit the amount of sets of tyres used? I have spoken to a number of the guys at the sharp end of NWFF and they have been using a set per meeting and both the people I spoke to said they had done that because the other was doing it!!! If I was fighting for the title then maybe I would have done the same but if we limit a set of tyres to 2 or maybe 3 rounds then would that not save people a lot of money? If that was the case then they would still be on the same amount of rubber each and the driving would still do the talking but with between £350 and £700 more in the pocket?

This would be hard if you went to race at Combe for example as it would only be a one off race but you would not be going for the championship so you would not need points so you could do what you wanted.

Also I think I remember back to the good old days when NWFF raced at the big events at Oulton park such as BTCC etc. Why can't we get to do the same again. We offer full grids and great racing at grass routes level. Same for the Combe boys (and girls if any!). Would the paying public like to see great races such as ours as well as the big boys on a race weekend? NWFF has a lot of history at Oulton and a chance to race in the big weekends once in a while in front of 15 - 20,000 fans would be great.

StephenRae · 14 Dec 2003, 13:30 (Ref:811597)

I think a new tyre only has a real, as opposed to psychological advantage for a couple of laps in the dry, with more tread its bound to be better in the wet.
I heard somewhere that its not just additional heat cycles that make them harder, but exposure to light over long periods. Maybe this is why 'last years tyres' are useless.
I can always give a good home to nearly new tyres.

Dave Brand · 14 Dec 2003, 13:43 (Ref:811608)

Quote:

Originally posted by Redracer57
and great racing at grass routes level.

Grass routes? You're supposed to keep it on the black bits!

big ears · 14 Dec 2003, 15:03 (Ref:811638)

In the nwff zetec championship last year the drivers were allowed 2 new tryres per round, ie a new set for each double header. This did keep the costs down. I think they should go even further to try and get more drivers in the championship. It will be good for the sport.

Redracer77 · 14 Dec 2003, 15:10 (Ref:811643)

Zetecs can spend as much as they like!!! The more ££££ it is the more people stay in FF1600. In NWFF 1600 you could have a new set for qualifing and a new set for the race if you really wanted to waste your money. I would like to see all drivers agree to use only 1 set for 2 meetings.

diz · 14 Dec 2003, 15:24 (Ref:811649)

Quote:

Originally posted by Redracer57
I have spoken to a number of the guys at the sharp end of NWFF and they have been using a set per meeting and both the people I spoke to said they had done that because the other was doing it!!!

Chris,
1. A number of people makes it sound like more than two [which I agree is a number]
2. Who would police this? Your Regional Representative nee Co-ordinator will be too busy eating cake!

diz

Redracer77 · 14 Dec 2003, 15:29 (Ref:811653)

the top 3 all used new rubber for each round. You could take the serial numbers from the tyres and do a quick check before each qualifying and/or race. Maybe anyone found guilty will have to supply you with loads of cake!!

MikeM · 14 Dec 2003, 15:41 (Ref:811658)

It's a bit different in class B then - I used three sets all year, for the first time. Four tyres were changed due to damage.
BTCC seems such a lot of hassle now that I'm not sure I'd want to do it (paddock in Northwich?) but the F3/GT meeting would be great.

Century · 14 Dec 2003, 18:51 (Ref:811737)

You will not be able to do this on the grounds of safety or legality of the tyres. What are you going to do in the wet? Are you going to force someone to race on tyres which have substantially less tread than is safe? What will you do if the tyres wear down more quickly and are not legal for use in the last race for which they have to be used. Sounds good but almost impossible to enforce bearing in mind the above.

kickstart · 14 Dec 2003, 23:13 (Ref:811836)

What does a new set of FF control tyres cost these days ?

swift · 14 Dec 2003, 23:26 (Ref:811842)

Too bloody much......!

The idea redracer has has some merit but, alas I think would be difficult to police. It would be like trying to curb the amount of testing that goes on. I'm sure you'd agree that in addition to new tyres, the amount of testing that was undertaken by the top 3 in the nwff championship it could also be said was a factor in their success?

Perhaps we could limit testing to "official" tests only ie a set number of days for nwff only? I fear another can of worms?

I agree that the kudos of racing in front of a huge crowd for a headline meeting would be great, but I fear in practice not an experience that would benefit any of us. If I recall correctly, the nwff once ran as an invited event to a BRDC meeting at Oulton a few years back which I think was an F3 meeting (cue brackets from Diz here if I've got my facts confused: it's been a while since I've said that phrase!!). The paddock was so full of transporters and motorhomes and hangers on etc. we were forced to park outside the paddock with the general public!

diz · 15 Dec 2003, 00:17 (Ref:811859)

Quote:

Originally posted by swift
If I recall correctly, the nwff once ran as an invited event to a BRDC meeting at Oulton a few years back which I think was an F3 meeting (cue brackets from Diz here if I've got my facts confused: it's been a while since I've said that phrase!!). The paddock was so full of transporters and motorhomes and hangers on etc. we were forced to park outside the paddock with the general public!

Ah! it must be late and Mrs swift has gone to beddy byes, allowing him his late night play on TT. I don't remember the headline event, but we were parked up on the entry road just over the Bailey Bridge and a letter from God was needed to get into the Paddock. My highlight of the weekend was Nicola F. shooting through the parked FF "Paddock" on her moped, not stopping when she got to the entry road and falling off it in avoiding a spectator on a road bike. I helped her to her feet, before I realised who she was

She wasn't hurt - fortunately - just her pride.

Redracer77 · 15 Dec 2003, 13:36 (Ref:812173)

It would be nice to get in front of a big crowd for a change. I think the Silverstone FF1600 race earlier in the year was in the F3/GT meeting but was last race at 5.30pm. It is always nice to race in front of a crowd but if we end up being last race with the chance of not racing and placed out on the grass at Druids then maybe we should stick to our nice little meetings like we had this year (as long as they are not all in August Diz...!).

diz · 15 Dec 2003, 17:18 (Ref:812321)

Quote:

Originally posted by Redracer57
(as long as they are not all in August Diz...!).

I like August !!!!!!!!!

Please don't shout at me, I'm very sensitive to criticism I only Regionally Represent the series. Calendars are put together by HQ, so badger them

Redracer77 · 15 Dec 2003, 17:23 (Ref:812328)

no shouting Diz just having a laugh!! I have got more chance of my 2 year old nephews listening to me than HQ.

kartingdad · 16 Dec 2003, 12:24 (Ref:813007)

How about banning 'pro' run teams? That should save some folk a few quid. LOL

verglas · 16 Dec 2003, 12:27 (Ref:813008)

The Combe championship gets a slot om the F3 and GT race weekend. On the first running they ran on the Saturday so as not to upstage the Slick 50 Zetecs, and I think they have run at the end of the day on Sunday as well although as a non championship round this year.
To get back on topic, limiting tyres is a good idea, especially for the newer cars which tend to use their tyres far more than pre 90 cars. However policing such a move would be a nightmare, and drivers who cherry pick races would be at a distinct advantage imho.

StephenRae · 16 Dec 2003, 13:05 (Ref:813046)

It's the nature of the sport that those dedicated enough will spend what it takes. If control tyres lasted longer it would be in all our interests (except Avon).
The arguement against this would be with harder tyres times would be slower...but it would be the same for everyone, and as for the wet they are already c..p so it wouldn't make much difference.

Redracer77 · 16 Dec 2003, 13:10 (Ref:813047)

true verglas but if you are cherry picking rounds then you are not going to win the championship. But the rule would still apply as they would have to use the one round old set in the second cherry picked race when the other drivers maybe able to run a new set as they are just about to start the 3rd round of the Championship for example so the cherry picker will be on old tyres and the championship racers will be on new. It works both ways!!

darcym · 16 Dec 2003, 13:40 (Ref:813071)

How about getting Avon to lower the tyre prices - development is halted on them, and I refuse to accept it costs almost £400 to make a full set. The mark up must be pretty big. That way you could if you wanted to change the tyres more often at a much less cost and those who are nuts enough to buy a set a race won't get an advantage as the lesser people who change them say once every 4 will be able to change them once every 4 instead of 1 or 2 sets per season. I know its the opposite of what your saying but could make a good move less money = the lesser funded people to run on the same set for less money or change them more on a more regular basis like the better funded teams for the same ammount of money as they have paid in the past.

While Avon have the monopoloy on the tyres (I think Avon are good and there should only be 1 controled tyre) they can charge what they want

jminsh · 16 Dec 2003, 13:41 (Ref:813072)

simple all use ACB9's like FF1600 cars were designed to use
they work as well virtualy bald as brand new with bonus of being able stay on the track in the wet.

darcym · 16 Dec 2003, 14:00 (Ref:813097)

I thought we where on ACB 9's although I could be wrong I never paid attention to the numbers I just took them to the Avon truck and said "more please"

Redracer77 · 16 Dec 2003, 14:04 (Ref:813099)

I think we run on ACB10's

jminsh · 16 Dec 2003, 14:05 (Ref:813104)

Historics (i) run on ACB9's, pretty much most things else in the Uk run on ACB10's the ones which were originally designed for the Zetecs.

StephenRae · 16 Dec 2003, 14:07 (Ref:813105)

Hi Jason...wasn't your car designed for Firestone Torinos?

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