Fray Car Tire Testing

This is an initial test of several brands of silicone sponge tires for this years East Coast Fray Team.

Our test car has the new Wizzard FR-54B front end set, with an .0635 axle and o-rings. The fronts measured .295, too small for the Fray. Last year we used cut-to-size electrical tape to make the .300 legal size.

This time, it occured to me, that Pactra striping tape would be perfect for this task. One wrap of 1/16" tape brings it up to .300.

The test car was fitted with well-worn Slottech .352 whites. These are excellent tires, but pricy at $15 a pair! I ran the Bat-Jet VW Golf GTI, that did so well in body testing. After getting the track in optimum condition, I ran a best of 4.121 sec in 29 laps with the Slottechs.

Our teammate, Lewis, sent me a set of his newly made tires. They are rather skinny and square-shouldered. Without any breakin instructions, I ran them as they were fitted with just a 25 lap warm up to break them in. They were .347 and white rubber, clear silicone. These tires really are impressive, lot's of grip, despite being narrower than the Slottech or Wizzard tires. I ran a best of 4.013 in 25 laps, and the car felt very consistent.

I next fitted, Wizzard's latest black rubber, white silicone .350 "Fray Cuts". These are $10, two bucks more than the normal price for Wizzard LAWS. These tires are the result of the testing we and SOCAL did at the Fray last year. New and shiny, they ran a 4.037 in 25 laps.

Wizzard recommends a scuffing procedure to accelerate the break-in process. This is how Team Wizzard driver, James Kennedy, showed me how to scuff. Use a ScotchBrite pad to take the shine off the tires, while revving the car up.

Scuffing makes the "Fray Cuts" slide just a touch, instead of gripping and releasing at the ultimate grip level. This makes them easier and more consistent to drive. I was able to improve to a best lap of 4.012 in 26 laps. One hundredth faster than Lewis' Tires.

I've had a continuing interest in trying to reduce the idler gear hole wear. I got some Graphite lube from HobbyTown's Pinewood Derby section. I cleaned off the H:OyL, from the idler post and the idler hole...then put the graphite on. It immediately seemed faster! I ran a 3.995 with the Bat-Jet Golf GTI body on and the Wizzard "Fray Cuts", the first time this car has been below the magic 4 second barrier on my track. I'm planning on some more testing, to see if the graphite will reduce wear as well as being quick.

To wrap up the tire testing, I was very pleased with the speed and consistency of Lewis Wuori's tires. If he can make some in quantity, that would really help the team be competitive. How about it, Lewis! These are good tires!