Wow Phil. That’s an interesting observation I hadn’t considered. It’s a bonus that the Hoosier 800 could actually be a safer tire to run in addition to all the other benefits that these tires can bring. Thanks for the info!
Here is the bottom line as I see it. The race tracks have been lacking cars for a long while now. Where have the cars gone, what has changed. Since mid year 2008 we have been in a recession according to everybody. Not just in the work force but also in the amount of cars showing up to race. So what has changed?
The Goodyear short track tire program went away in 2008, since then tracks have switched tire brands, some multiple times. What they have come up with for all the classes under the late model and now the modified is a tire that is too soft, too grippy, that will not repeat its performance from one week to the next. I have personally practiced on 2 race old tires at Citrus then bolted on a new set and picked up 3/4 of a second from one practice to the next.
There is no way cars racing for less than $500 per race to win, can justify buying new tires to have a chance to win every week. So what have people started doing, they have chose to miss week after week to save up enough money to buy those new tires, because really who goes to the race track without thinking they can win. I am all for a tire that will last for multiple race, and maybe even get better after the first night the way the old white side wall goodyears used too.
Are the 800 Hoosier tires the answer, who knows, but it can’t possibly be any worse. This needs to be tested now, for multiple weeks on a front running car that is willing to do it for the good of the sport. This may be the thing that turns the tide and brings the cars back out to the track. Hopefully a seasoned smart promoter will get together with there local hot shoe and test these things, not on a practice night this needs to be done in race conditions and tracked to see how the tires repeat from one week to the next.
So what savvy promoter is going to take the first step to recovery, and bring the cars back in by giving them a tire that will last long enough they can actually work on the cars handling, instead of bolting on $550.00 worth of tires to make it handle.
I spoke to several long time sportsman racers today and one really good latemodel driver that also runs a sportsman car from time to time, and they all agree. A harder tire will bring them to the track more often to race. Hopefully these people I spoke to today will do as we spoke and also comment, so I don’t have to out them on here the way I have been outed, Thanks Scott.
Honestly who cares if this slows the cars down a couple tenths, remember after 2 weeks you will be going just as slow with the tires we have now.
Patrick Thomas 25
I think everyone can agree that if there is a tire that can last longer and cost about the same or less than the ones we run now that would be great! I have been checking on this post for a few days and felt guilty for not saying anything. I have not been racing very long but have been enough to know that is probably the biggest expense and one of the reasons others might not show up to race. I have only bought one new set of tires since I started racing last year because the cost to longevity factor doesn’t make much sense to me. I would be more inclined to buy new tires if they lasted longer rather than buying someone else’s take offs.
Justin Starr #27
Sportsman
Seems like a no brainer.
Let’s all not forget what we’ve learned here though. Patrick Thomas is old school. 
I have been racing since 1995, I guess that does make me old school, but not karnac poster old school.
I always post with my name, whether it’s a good thing or not is to be seen.
Patrick Thomas 25
Oh ok, I thought…well you know what I thought.
hoosier 800
I have ordered a set of hoosier 800’s to be tested . I have talked to a driver that is willing to test for Desoto speedway . I will post results after test is completed . just to let you know we are listening . Thanks Critter .
Look at that, the wheels are in motion, maybe we will see a return to the days when we could get more than 1 race out of the tires, and just maybe we will get all of our support divisions back to the strength they once were.
Thanks Critter and Desoto speedway for being proactive in this discussion this could be huge for all of us.
Patrick Thomas 25
Just want to say on this discussion
I want to first say that the Joey Coulter Pro-Truck series, and my former series in late 2011 and 2012 implemented a tire rule to try to keep the cost of tires down for drivers. I will tell you that the trucks have gotten 3 races out of lefts although they are pretty use up as they are softer than rights,but everyone is on the same tire deal to keep that fair. Joey and I believe in trying to keep the costs down that is why we looking at alot of the rules things for next season and beyond. We are going to watch this tire test deal as well, and see what the best deal is going to be. We will continue with a tire rule, but if those tires help it be more cost effective we are certainly interested. We are also looking at one tire to run be able to run all 4 dirt races next year with as well or allow 2 after the second race on dirt. We have a tire that has been recommended and we will be looking into it. I think it is good to give ideas, etc. but it may be more effective to contact the tracks, series, the promoters or owners directly with ideas and suggestions. While this board has some good uses of discussions, there is also a bunch of garbage on here that most track owners, promoters etc. do not listen to because it seems to come from a select group of people who make it their job to make people think they know how to run a track or series but never put their money, time, sweat and hard work behind. No no one is perfect, there are mistakes and things maybe that should be done different but also if you own something, if it is your investment that is on the line, it is your choice how to do it. I try to always remember that before I bash someone over what they do at there track or series, cause I do not have money on the line in it. We are thankful for some contructive ideas done in a decent matter though. Lets see where this goes !
New Smyrna has ordered a set to test as well. We agree something has to be done to make this more affordable for the racers. We’ll see how it goes.
Rick I also applaud you for the way you do things and test things before you just make a snap decision, I am really interested in the 602 engine test that you have been doing in your truck series, as I think it is brilliant and it has me looking for a truck chassis to start putting together.
Now on to the tire deal. While yes I agree the situation you have is working for your truck series with the implementation of a tire limiting deal I still say it is flawed for the weekly racer. For one I am not your average Saturday night racer that locks himself into one track and only runs there all year. You are never going to get all the weekly tracks on board with tire limiting according to the race date on the calendar, if you could then tire limiting would work.
Also you said yourself, the left sides are worn out after 3 races, what happens if I show up for my first race in your series, and say I come from out of state, and we run on a different tire all together and I need tires. Now let’s assume I traveled all this way because I came to win your race, so I came a day early and ran the practice night with 4 brand new tires. Since it was only a 2 tire race I then buy 2 more right sides to race on, and use my 25 to 50 lap scuffs from the night before and I win, how would that look for your tire limiting.
We have to get off of 2 different compounds to begin with, it makes it too hard to do tire limiting.
As I said before nobody knows if the Hoosier 800 is the answer, but we will know over the next month or so.
We have already seen that Critter is being proactive in this discussion and ordered a set to test.
I am the driver that will be doing the testing, I have a incar lap timing system that will be posted for everyone to see the results. My wheels will stay with the tires at Desoto speedway for the duration of the test so there is no tampering with the tires. This will be done above the board and everybody will know when it’s going on, so they can see it for themselves also.
The reason I have been asked to do this test is because I am not racing for points, I will be a competitive car that can give these tires an honest test, and I am traveling along way to do it. I will be there to win even on this hard tire, we will bust our butts to get the car right and hope to make it faster every week over the 3 to 4 races I have committed too in a row at Desoto.
The car is almost done and will be I will be racing a race or 2 at newsmyrna speedway ahead of time on the tires we are on now to get the bugs worked out.
But rest assured when this happens we will be there to win.
Patrick Thomas 25
Call me for any more details and we can discuss what has been tested when it’s done. 407-223-6439
Credit Where Credit is Due!
It is heartwarming to hear that some of the tracks are willing to consider a change in order to help the racers!
Me and my $12 (senior entry {lol}) thank you very much.
Kim Brown and Newsmyrna speedway thanks for being proactive for the racer also.
Patrick Thomas 25
Is this the tire ?
http://www.smileysracing.com/shopping/productDetails.aspx?i=49932&c=1622
I also want to say thank you. I obviously don’t race there yet, but I will eventually so this is something important to me. Things like this are definitely things that will get the racers to the track more often. We appreciate very much that you guys are listening!
At $485 set,they are also cheaper
WOW!!! What can I say but THANK YOU to all of you who have given your input on this subject. I also have to say that I’m truly not surprised that Desoto and New Smyrna are taking the lead on this deal. They are hands down the two best tracks in the state BY FAR.They also happen to be the most racer friendly tracks too. Critter, I applaud you. Critter sells the tires at Desoto and this is a truly unselfish act on his part to test a tire that will last 2-3 times longer than what we are on now. But Critter is smart enough to know that getting more cars to the racetrack, more often is just better for everyone and the health of the sport. Just to let everyone know that I have a skin in this and am not just being a mouthpiece, I am personally paying for a set of used 800’s to be shipped in for Patrick to dial in his car before he gets the “stickers” from Critter. Phil Jacques was kind enough to hunt me down a quality used set with just 2 races on them. Please show Phil some love. And to Rick Bristol, I commend everything you do for this sport, brother. From the Charity 200 to your efforts with the Pro Trucks, you show your unselfish love for those who are unfortunate while helping racing succeed locally. I wish we had someone like you to put together a Sportsman Series with the same love. I do have to disagree with your view of this board, true there are the bomb throwers and trolls that exist here, but for the most part, a lot of good ideas have come from here. Will the 800 be the answer? The “real world” testing will find out for sure. But I’m sure that with the players involved we will come up with the right solution for everyone. If you have a Sportsman, Pro Truck, Super Stock or Street Stock sitting in mothballs you better start getting it ready for 2015 because a new tire is coming that will make racing fun and affordable for you. And if you always wanted to race or used to race then you might want to head over to the classified section of KARNAC and pick yourself up a nice used ride for 2015. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come! THANK YOU EVERYONE! 
(And yes Kendo, that is the tire. But it actually costs about the same when you add in FL ST TX.)
"Please show Phil some love."–Scott G
Phil already knows how I feel about him!! 
I don’t like being cynical and I truly try to keep most of my posts positive, well except the ones where I try to be comical, but deep down I really felt this would be the one where Mr Sportsman ran into a big smattering of reality.
But happily I was wrong! Keep up the good work. Apparently they do listen and do care. There was so much good reasoning in this thread and I’m glad there’s hope!
Patrick & Scott
Patrick,
Thanks I will certainly like to hear how this goes, We have done the tire deal, we did it in 2012 and it worked, we have due it this year and it works. We have a way to work out the new drivers and it has not caused an issue yet. I agree they were wore out but what I was meaning is they were all on the same deal, so no advantage. If the tires can last longer, be cheaper and be policed, then it is a win win situation. The tire rule has worked the competition has been good and most all that have done it like it. I realize not everyone will think so but we have proved it works.
Scott, we can disagree about the board I said that some good comes from it. But I also think this would have worked with some communication with the principals involved too. But that is the joy of all this we can disagree, I just wish people could do it in a little nicer way sometimes Thanks and lets all see how this works out ! You will be racing in the Charity Sportsman 100 race right ?