I ran most of thursday and friday on 30+ heat cycle, below the wear bars R-888s, good qualifying tire. 2:20.8 on friday after no more problems(like thursday) with the car. They did seem to last through the qualifying races, just wish i could drive better. switched to RA-1s Sat from Buzzetti(champion tires, thanks charley) that he was done with, second half of the race i went from 13th to 8th, i just pictured everone in front of me being on R-888s.(finished 7th after the adjustment) 2:21.252, 3rd fastest time of the race.

on thursday i also tried full tread r-888(15 heat cycle) and full tread ra-1(18 months old, unk HC) they were both slower by 2-3 seconds, too heavy, too much squirming.

I switched to borrowed (thanks Steve Agoston) set of 5 heat cycled RA-1 on Sat AM. Added some camber to the front and checked toe and called it good. Ran a 2:19.9 in Sat warm up and new I was going the right direction.

I struggled Thursday and Friday with premium sets of R888 tires and could not get them to really hook up. My qualifying times will show that.

Even though I was only 8th fastest in the main race the RA-1 allowed me to drive my car at it's limit for the whole race. It got better as the race wore on.

I have some very low cycle R888 tires if any one is looking for a deal. I am headed back to RA-1's for good.

Rick you can't use those RA-1's in Oct at Infineon, you need to go back to R888's.

i'll whip out my 4 year old ra-1s that i beat norm with at miller last year, how about that? ;->

Charlie, Charlie, Charlie.

Now I have the evidence to protest your National Championship. Perhaps you did not read the supplemental rules very well. I know I did.

In relevant part they read that "all competitors for the National Championship must use the same tire construction and compound for the entire championship series races beginning with the first qualifying session. Said contender to the National Championship must declare their tire choice to the Big Dog immediately after the conclusion of the first timed qualifying session and must use the same for the remainder of the National Championship Series. Failure to do so will constitute grounds for immediate disqualification regardless of the time after the completion of the Championship race."

Please forward your trophy and check to "Big Dog".

Offical National Championship Tire Czar
Mr. Big Dog

Mr Big Dog,

Please forward your winnings to me (was second looser) and I will send my stuff to Hoseph Powluke.

Ouch Rick, do you have to remind me of my wooping from last year? Two races on the outer loop with no wins, 3rd time is a charm, save those tires for next year, your a great race car driver and deserve to be racing in the front and no doubt next years picture will have you in it, make sure you bring Dave and his camera.