The Big Bend Open Road Race is only 61 days away...

Please see the website for this event. It is one of the most challenging open road races in North America. It is very challenging, but is a blast at any speed!!!

BBORR

SSpofomocoSS

I am tempted, as always, but the folks on the message board are a little tricky to get info out of, and some seem to think that my Nitto 555RII's would not pass tech as they are "too soft". The event is expensive enough compared to an HPDE, and buying a good set of street tires that will turn to stone in the garage before I wear them out is not appealing.

Many of the top guys run Hoosier race rubber in that event (some of the over 200 mph cars). I'm not sure you want street tires, maybe Michelin Pilots (the set rated to 218 mph).

My thoughts.

I can't do it this year, but I will start planning for it in the future. My problem with the SSCC is the travel time. The BBORR is ~18hrs away, instead of the 28hrs away that LV is. I wish there was someplace near KY that ran ORRs.

Chuck,

I spoke with Bruce Wood about your concerns, as I read that post on the BBORR board as well. Mike was mistaken, as he thought you were talking about running drag radials.

I ran in Bruce's 99 Cobra in the 140 MPH class in 2003, on the same tires. As a matter of fact, Mike mounted that set of Nittos on the Cobra. I think you are well prepared from a tire perspective if you run the Nittos.

If you have any questions about the race, talk to Kenda Furman. She is the best source of info for this race.

kfurman@ci.fort-stockton.tx.us

Hope to see you in April in Ft. Stockton, TX.

SSPofomocoSS

Chris Powe

Every event that we have come to with the 555 DRs the promoter has raised questions.

And everytime we've been allowed to run, we've shown them to be a very competent tire for a road course.

I think many times promoters get lost in the tern "drag", envisioning a wrinkle wall slick.

That just isn't the case. The side wall is such a low profile, that there is no "wrinkling" ... it's all rubber compound and weight.

Now, if your concerns are how the tire will hold up at elevated speeds for an extended period of time, I can say I've seen Goodyear F1s chunk rubber where Nitto DRs haven't.

I wish I could make this one but I am only going to be making 2 runs this year to budget for a new motor. The Big Bend run will be in the future for me though. Its a long ways from Seattle though.

For most of you guys regular street rubber will do well. If its your first run out there you will be limited to certain speeds. I know one individual in a black Z28 that recently set the new BBORR record used to run on Michelin MXX3's, not race rubber. I would say that most of the REALLY fast guys are either on R3SO3's or a "cup" tire.

Hey Boyce,

You are exactly right about Mr. Carpenter, however after blowing a tire in Midland, TX. in October, at speed, he is happy he no longer runs on regular street tires!!! I believe he uses a Hoosier race tire now.

Wish you could join us, it should be a great race this year, as Mr. Powers will be running in his black camaro too. There may be two record setting years in a row!!

Chris Powe

SSPofomocoSS

I think Todds last run was on the new Michelin sport cups. There were 3 entrants running that tire. Todd, Tim Jones and Mr. Inada. All 3 of them suffered tire failures. Needless to say..........I don't think anyone will be running will be running that tire again.

I have yet to see Mr. Powers car. from what I hear it is quite a monster. What kind of motor is he running? I am pretty sure it isnt anything close to the factory LT1.

Some year I'll get to this thing. It always looks like fun.