"...The main difference in the [B]Hoosier

 

Are you sure they're not referring to the bias-belted autocross slicks? I believe the DOT tires are all radials.

I've had this discussion a few times recently (driver's schools, etc.). Back in the mid-'70s, one of the mags ran a tire test using a Cosworth Vega as the mule. Used a Goodyear bias-belted A78-13 tire as the baseline and then compared various performance radials of the time. The li'l ol' bias-belted tire beat all but one radial in terms of cornering force. However, they plotted the slip angles which showed that they required much larger angles to generate the Gs than the radials. Hence, you would typically feel more out of control (sliding) than you would with a radial which liked much lower angles.

To me it's much like driving the S2K after years of FWD - you have to get used to it. Look at all the crashes folks have reported and analyze WHY they ran off the road or whatever - most are by relatively inexperienced, young drivers who have no real knowledge of driving RWD, especially one which is tuned like ours. You have to have the experience (yeah, I'm an old fart) and the desire to understand the differences to get the most out of whatever is under discussion.

Racing tires/slicks have only relatively recently changed over to radials. Drivers complained about lack of feel at the limits and prolly had reservations about the slip angle issues, too. Technology and experience won them over, tho...

 

jguerdat, yes indeed, the Hoosiers are radials as I just rechecked. I guess back when they were bias ply.

I think a lot of what the author describes may be that of the bias ply. Anyway, I am happy with the Hoosiers and look forward to having them on the track.