Hi Jimi,
Just want to get clarification about tires as the rule #11 states that participants must use DOT approved "street" tires and no racing tires will be allowed. These three tires listed below (BF Goodrich, Hoosier, and Kumho) are DOT approved whereas a Goodyear "slick" is not and there's a lot of chatter going on about their use being allowed. While not recommended for street use, they are technically legal for such; lots of autocrossers do drive on them to and from events. I'd hate to see someone buy a set, bring them to OPTIMA, and then be told no-go. Worse yet, hate to see competitors think that these R-comps aren't allowed, don't consider them eligible for OPTIMA, and then competing against those that have them. If that happens, it will come down to a tire battle instead of one where the best
car wins.
If DOT-legal R-comps are permitted by definition per-se, we need to know so we can plan accordingly.
If the above listed tires (and others of similar configuration) are NOT permitted for OPTIMA, is the Toyo R888 (see below) an approved tire? This is what Steve Rupp had on his car last year.
Thanks,
Mary Pozzi