Considering the control tire effort being explored for FF, perhaps FV should have a similiar control tire proposal. Perhaps something like this ...
FV Control Tire Proposal
1) Adopt a protocol for the evaluation and selection of a single tire for both regional and national Formula Vee based on the criteria most important to competitors (ie cost of tires, duarability, etc).
2) Put out a solicitation for bids from suppliers who wish to compete for a contract to have exclusive rights to provide the control tire for FV for a pre-determined number of years.
3) After the bids are received, implement a tire testing program in 2010 for the selection of the tire that best meets the criteria desired by competitors.
4) The supplier chosen will be awarded exclusive rights to supply both regional and national SCCA FV races for "X" number of years at specified prices.
5) The control tire is mandatory for 2011 and beyond. Used non-control tires will be grandfathered for 2011 regional events.
6) Assuming that the selected tire is a "slick", the supplier must also supply a control wet tire. The wet control tire will be mandatory for National events in 2012 and beyond. The wet control tire will be mandatory for Regional events in 2014 and beyond.
Criteria for FV Control Tire Selection
a) Rear tires will have a minimum circumferance of "C" (circumferance of current 22.5 X 5.5 X 15").There will be no prohibition against using the rear control tire on all 4 corners of the car and it is suggested that the testing program explore this option. If separate front and rear control tires are selected, the front control tire will be for front use only.
b) The control tire for the class shall offer no competitive advantage during its first heat cycle.
c) The control tire shall be capable of maintaining consistent performance and lap times over the course of "Y" number of heat cycles. "Y" to be determined but it is anticipated that a tire capable of a minimum of 15-20 heat cycles is feasible based on past experience.
d) Any alternate wheel/tire options will maintain a minimum rear tire circumferance of "C". Alternate wheel/tire options that offer dry/wet service will be considered.
e) It is requested that suppliers consider the option of larger circumference tires such as the previous 23.0 sizes.