FR-S fastest in 1st practice at Road America PWC race.

[Rampage]

Originally Posted by PabloN

My son I just got back from Road America. We missed the TCA race yesterday but saw both races today. Tony makes it look so easy! We were sitting at turn 5 when he had just passed the Z4. We looked at the bigscreen tv behind us and he was already steadily pulling away through the carousel. The FR-S is so much better at cornering it's incredible. When Tony did his last victory lap my son and I waved and he gave us a thumbs up. Oh, and when the announcers did the post race interview they asked him about his pit crew. He said he brings his wife and his daughter. Period. It's great to see small-budget racing succeed. And to see the FR-S do so well!

I am jealous you got to see it race in person. I am seriously considering buying a ticket and flying back up to Ohio for the Aug 13 TC race weekend. My son has an FR-S. He and my whole family still lives up there. In the past, going to Mid-Ohio was a twice a year event for my sons and grandsons and I. If I go, then I will also make a point of buying a pit pass and shaking Mr. Rivera's hand.

[iag48st]

Where can we download these races if we missed the live airing?

[Rampage]

Quote from Tony after his dominating win in the afternoon: “In the afternoon race, second and third place started fighting for position and I was able to run clean laps," said Rivera. "I was able to gain more each lap. I was able to focus out the windshield and not worry about them. And had fun at this great facility. We have a real reliable little Scion that is fun to drive. It’s fun whether you are by yourself or in a pack. It reminds us why we do this. Believe it or not, this is probably the best track for this car. Even though it is the slowest one in the straightaway. The big misconception here that this is a big horsepower track. And a low-horsepower car can make up a lot at this track just because the entry to all of the straightaways is so great, speedwise. If you have a car that is dialed in handling wise, you can make up for quite a bit. There aren’t really any ‘point and shoot sections’ in this track."

Good points but I do not think that will save him from a big BOP adjustment before Mid-Ohio. He debuted the car there for one race weekend last year and finished 4th in one race while running in the TC class. That was before the car was classified for TCA.

Originally Posted by iag48st

Where can we download these races if we missed the live airing?

Watch Rounds 7, 8 and 9 from Road America on CBS Sports Network, Wednesday, July 8, 7 p.m. Eastern. They will also be online at Torque.tv but that may not be until after CBS has shown them.

[PabloN]

My usual hangout at Road America is next to the track at the end of the downhill straight leading to turn 5. Good for spectating but not the best for photography through the catch fence. Anyway, here's Tony waiting to go on track and then putting a little heat in the front rotors.

[hmong337]

It looks like he is running 17x9's. I thought the rule book allows for a 17x8 only?

[PabloN]

Originally Posted by hmong337

It looks like he is running 17x9's. I thought the rule book allows for a 17x8 only?

The rules definitely say 8 inches max width for TC & TCA. Here's a better look (I should have measured them when I was there!).

[Rampage]

Originally Posted by PabloN

My usual hangout at Road America is next to the track at the end of the downhill straight leading to turn 5. Good for spectating but not the best for photography through the catch fence. Anyway, here's Tony waiting to go on track and then putting a little heat in the front rotors.

Great photos. Thanks for posting them.

Originally Posted by hmong337

It looks like he is running 17x9's. I thought the rule book allows for a 17x8 only?

Maybe that is why he is so fast! Cheater! j/k.

I am curious as to what the visual difference is between the sizes. I am pretty sure that if he was outside ANY rule, the guys that he is beating would be all over him as well as the SCCA race stewards.

[hmong337]

Well for starters, the flatface rpf1 wheels seen on his car are definitely 9" or wider.

Maybe they're limited by tire size and not rim?

[Pat]

the rules specify a wheel size

[Pat]

Originally Posted by hmong337

It looks like he is running 17x9's. I thought the rule book allows for a 17x8 only?

I thought the same thing when I saw the flat face of his wheel.

[Rampage]

Originally Posted by PabloN

The rules definitely say 8 inches max width for TC & TCA. Here's a better look (I should have measured them when I was there!).

Originally Posted by hmong337

Well for starters, the flatface rpf1 wheels seen on his car are definitely 9" or wider.

Maybe they're limited by tire size and not rim?

Originally Posted by Pat

I thought the same thing when I saw the flat face of his wheel.

Enkei makes a 15x8 wheel with a flat face so maybe they make a 17x8 flat face too?

[hmong337]

Doesn't Pirelli supply the tires in accordance to platform and size so wouldn't that ultimately be the limiting factor?

[Rampage]

Originally Posted by hmong337

Doesn't Pirelli supply the tires in accordance to platform and size so wouldn't that ultimately be the limiting factor?

I am trying to read up on tires and wheels in the rule book. In the meantime, I figured up the driver's standing points. If I did it right then Tony Rivera is now second in points with 844 to Jason Wolfe's 860 first place points. If Tony goes to the rest of the races and they do not make him run with only three wheels then it is looking pretty good for him.


Edit: Found this:
Base Weight FR-S: 2663 lbs.
Wheel Size (F-R): 8x17", 8x17"
Tire Size (F-R): 245/620, 245/620

Edit2: All the legal cars in TCA are allowed the same size wheels and tires. 17 inch diamater and 8 inch maximum wheel width with 245 Pirelli Pzeros.

[hmong337]

Tony is clearly running 17x9's. Unless Enkei made flat face 17x8 wheels we all don't know about, this could mean outright disqualification for Tony if the officials find out.