rx1900
1981 X1/9
Hi folks. As per forum rules, this is a semi-commercial post.
In one of my jobs, I am involved with the Canadian importer of a major manufacturer of rally tires. We import containers of mostly gravel rally tires and ice racing tires.
Almost all the rallies in North America are held on gravel roads (sometimes snow covered).
Elsewhere in the world - mostly in Europe - rallies are also held on paved roads (mostly called tarmac). Even at the highest level - the WRC rallyes. Flat out through closed twisty mountain roads in Italy, Portugal, and Ireland. The roads are paved but often strewn with broken tarmac and potholes. For these conditions, a special tarmac rally tire is used. Not much tread, but extreme levels of grip, and a stiff sidewall with a reinforced carcass for puncture resistance and a substantial lifespan.
Make no mistake - if you want to go really fast on real roads, a tarmac rally tire is the way to go.
We do not stock them here. There is really only one tarmac performance rally in North America. An event in New York State held on closed public roads, along with a couple of stages on Monticello race track. We special ordered in some of these tarmac rally tires for a local competitor this year. He won the event easily.
And why am I telling you all this ? Well...I've noticed a few of you folks out there complaining about a lack of suitable wide performance 13" tires. I know there are a bunch of you out there who still have some beautiful really wide 13" wheels. And flared fenders or a Dallara kit. And no decent tires to put on...
We are in the process of putting together another container order from the manufacturer overseas. They have also sent us a list of some overstock odd tires at special clearance prices. Being a real X1/9 guy, a couple of tires on the list got my attention. Yup, some tarmac tires in 195/50-13 and 225/45-13. Hmmm....just about the perfect size for a really hot X. And in a suitable compound....
The 195s require a 7"-8" wide rim. and the 225s require an 8" -10" rim. The quoted sizes are nominal. In reality they both have an OD of about 530mm (about 20.9"). For reference a 185/60-13 is usually about 552mm (21.7"). So would lower the car about 3/8".
How suitable are these tires for street use ? Well, you would have to be a little crazy actually. But if you have enough suspension, power, and fenders on your X to need these, well I think you are already a little crazy !! Tire performance ? Yup....Tire durability - yup, they would take anything you could through at it !! Tread life ? Not for a high-mileage daily driver ! Legality ? I dunno, but they are DOT and E certified.
If added to a container from the clearance list, the tires would end selling here in the vicinity of perhaps $150 Canadian (about $135 US). Normally these tires would sell here at well over double that....
So...IF there is any interest out there, please let me know. I can guarantee we WONT be bringing them in unless they are pre-sold.
There is a bunch of politics involved here. For one - by contract - we are not allowed to sell this brand of tire into the US market. Perhaps an exemption could be made in this case, or perhaps I could talk to the US importer (I know them well) to see if he is interested in doing the same kind of deal. For this reason you will have noticed I have not mentioned any brand names.
Please consider this a feeler of interest. The next container will probably be leaving in a couple of weeks. This is probably a one time only chance. Please post or PM if there is any serious interest.
Thanks for reading. Doug
In one of my jobs, I am involved with the Canadian importer of a major manufacturer of rally tires. We import containers of mostly gravel rally tires and ice racing tires.
Almost all the rallies in North America are held on gravel roads (sometimes snow covered).
Elsewhere in the world - mostly in Europe - rallies are also held on paved roads (mostly called tarmac). Even at the highest level - the WRC rallyes. Flat out through closed twisty mountain roads in Italy, Portugal, and Ireland. The roads are paved but often strewn with broken tarmac and potholes. For these conditions, a special tarmac rally tire is used. Not much tread, but extreme levels of grip, and a stiff sidewall with a reinforced carcass for puncture resistance and a substantial lifespan.
Make no mistake - if you want to go really fast on real roads, a tarmac rally tire is the way to go.
We do not stock them here. There is really only one tarmac performance rally in North America. An event in New York State held on closed public roads, along with a couple of stages on Monticello race track. We special ordered in some of these tarmac rally tires for a local competitor this year. He won the event easily.
And why am I telling you all this ? Well...I've noticed a few of you folks out there complaining about a lack of suitable wide performance 13" tires. I know there are a bunch of you out there who still have some beautiful really wide 13" wheels. And flared fenders or a Dallara kit. And no decent tires to put on...
We are in the process of putting together another container order from the manufacturer overseas. They have also sent us a list of some overstock odd tires at special clearance prices. Being a real X1/9 guy, a couple of tires on the list got my attention. Yup, some tarmac tires in 195/50-13 and 225/45-13. Hmmm....just about the perfect size for a really hot X. And in a suitable compound....
The 195s require a 7"-8" wide rim. and the 225s require an 8" -10" rim. The quoted sizes are nominal. In reality they both have an OD of about 530mm (about 20.9"). For reference a 185/60-13 is usually about 552mm (21.7"). So would lower the car about 3/8".
How suitable are these tires for street use ? Well, you would have to be a little crazy actually. But if you have enough suspension, power, and fenders on your X to need these, well I think you are already a little crazy !! Tire performance ? Yup....Tire durability - yup, they would take anything you could through at it !! Tread life ? Not for a high-mileage daily driver ! Legality ? I dunno, but they are DOT and E certified.
If added to a container from the clearance list, the tires would end selling here in the vicinity of perhaps $150 Canadian (about $135 US). Normally these tires would sell here at well over double that....
So...IF there is any interest out there, please let me know. I can guarantee we WONT be bringing them in unless they are pre-sold.
There is a bunch of politics involved here. For one - by contract - we are not allowed to sell this brand of tire into the US market. Perhaps an exemption could be made in this case, or perhaps I could talk to the US importer (I know them well) to see if he is interested in doing the same kind of deal. For this reason you will have noticed I have not mentioned any brand names.
Please consider this a feeler of interest. The next container will probably be leaving in a couple of weeks. This is probably a one time only chance. Please post or PM if there is any serious interest.
Thanks for reading. Doug