Pirelli Tyres

[Jerry B]

Apparently, Pirelli are making 255/45X15 tyres that will be available soon. These will go onto a 10" rim ok but not 12".

Interestingly this info came from Revolution wheels not Pirelli.

[Cloggie]

Would they fit on a 8" rim?

[tryphon]

No.

[Stratos]

I received some information on these today, by email.

TB 15 MICHELIN COURSE

“The ultimate track day tyre”

The latest news from Michelin Classic Tyres is the re-introduction of the popular TB range of competition tyres, these new versions will comply with all current EU requirements making this tyre fully road legal. So if you’re the owner of an AC Cobra, Porsche RSR, GT40 or a wild track day special then these are the tyres for you!
Available in the following sizes;

Actual marked size approx equiv size rim range
16/53-13 195/50R13 5 – 6.5
20/53-13 225/45R13 7 – 8.5
15/60-15 195/55R15 5 – 6.5
18/60-15 225/50R15 6 – 7.5
23/62-15 270/45R15 8.5 - 10
26/61-15 295/40R15 10 – 11.5
29/61-15 335/35R15 11 - 13

I have forwarded more info to Nico, so he can look into possibility of obtaining a group discount.

[tryphon]

The only problem is TBs are pure track tires and the Stratos is not the ideal track car.

Also consider that when Michelin launch productions of old tires (XWX is an example) they use the same compound and techniques they used back then.

I think today's offers, like the Yoko A032R, are a far better choice in every aspect.

[Jerry B]

Having found out a bit more, it looks like it`s Michelin making the 255/45 tyres not Pirelli, and they are going to be available this week.

As for the Michelin TB tyres, they wouldn`t be very suitable for just road use but for anyboby thinking of doing sprints or track days they would be perfect, especially if you intend to drive your car there and back. (I won the last Abingdon sprint on 15 year old TB 15`s)
This has to be good news for all of us with 10" or 12" rims as the 26/61x15 and 29/61x15 tyres are just the right sizes respectively for those rims.
These tyres won`t be cheap (£200 each), but if we can get a decent order together we can get a serious discount.

The smaller sizes are available now, with the larger two above sizes available in February.

I am happy to co-ordinate a bulk order either myself or on behalf of the club. Pass on your thoughts.

[chris.richard]

What sort of mileage could you expect out of TBs?

[chris.richard]

Originally posted by Stratos
Actual marked size approx equiv size rim range
16/53-13 195/50R13 5 – 6.5


I've never understood the 16/53 type sizing, can someone explain? I'm up to speed on the 195/50R13 style.:(

[SUSIT]

16/53-13 = 160mm tread width or foot print
530mm overall diameter of the tyre
13 inch rimm or wheel diameter

I think, please someone correct me if I am wrong

Stephen

[Jerry B]

Stephen,
Apart from rim only having one m, your explanation is correct.
The normal "road car" markings are the second set of figures given by Dave.

As for mileage, well you would get a few thousand miles out of a set if you drove on the road normally, but on the other hand I`ve taken a set down to the canvas in 25 miles on a hot day around The Ring Of Kerry. If you overheat them they will disapear from under you.
Michelin TB`s were their old intermediate tyre that was produced in various compounds from 5 (hard) to 49 (soft), the TB15 was always the most popular all-round compound so I guess that`s why they are using it as the only compound now.
It is at it`s best in damp conditions, but it will quite happily cope with dry or wet conditions and can be cut to a full wet if necessary.
If you have never driven on competition compound tyres before you will be amazed at the extra level of grip once they are up to temperature.

[Sando]

This is great news.

I've been looking for, and collecting (3!) old 23x15 TB's to run on the back.
As Jerry says these are a great all round tyre for single venues/ sprints.

I'd be up for a pair of 26's if we can club together.

cheers
Rob:cool:

[SUSIT]

£200 seems a lot in some ways how do they compare with the present Dunlops available at £105 each? I am talking about the size for 7 or 8 inch rims. 200 0r 220 width or wont they be available in that size?

Stephen

[Jerry B]

They won`t be as good as the latest Dunlops, which are available in various compounds and tread patterns. For anyboby running 7" or 8" rims, any of the current modern tyre manufacturers will be able to provide better tyres. Unfortunately, the Dunlop 220/585x15 is the widest available tyre and that will only just about stretch onto a 9" rim, nothing wider.
That leaves a real problem for those of us running Gp4 cars ie no tyres!............until now.

From a personal point of view, I have found the handling of my car to be better on 26/61`s than on 29/61`s. It turns in a little better and the break-away at the rear is slightly more progressive and controlable. However if I had just ordered a new set of 12" coffin spokes, I`d stick some 29`s on and look the dog`s twitcher. Remember, you will have to push these tyres a lot harder to spin the car.

For front tyres I will still be using the latest available from current ranges, nothing on the TB range is the right size, and you need something much softer. Mixing and matching front to rear is not a problem.

Remember that if you use TB tyres on the front of a RWD car you run them backwards (with the arrow pointing contra-rotation) because their construction is designed to cope with the high levels of grip from the rear wheels. On the front, most grip is generated under braking, so we run them backwards.

[GMC]

Jerry.
"Hot day around The Ring Of Kerry" must be a long time ago as I cannot remember to many of them here !:D
As for tyre direction, I was always woundering why they put them on the front the wrong way ! now I know, thanks

Gerard.

[Randle Roberts]

I found this site http://www.reifenschlag.de/Michelin/Michelin_rennreifen_e.htm that has information on the remade Michelin TB tire. I too have a bunch of new old stock TB tires but would be up for some fresh ones. A good low-profile tire actually used on the Stratos. Probably not good for a ton of miles but shouldn't be too bad unless you are pushing hard all the time!

Preis
prix

165 HR 13 XAS FF TT

232.--
16 / 53 - 13 TB 15 185/55R13 72V 1640 mm


5" - 6,5"
360.--
20 / 53 - 13 TB 15 235/45R13 77V
1635 mm


7" -8,5"
395.--
15 / 60 - 15 TB 15 185/60R15 77V
1847 mm


5" - 7"
377.--
18 / 60 - 15 TB 15 215/55R15 79V
1885 mm


6" -8"
428.--
23 / 62 - 15 TB 15 270/45R15 86V
1923 mm


8" -10"
496.--
26 / 61 - 15 TB 15 295/40R15 87V
1891 mm


10" - 12"
498.--
29 / 61 - 15 TB 15 335/35R15 93V 1903 mm


11" - 13"
547.--


Verwendung / utilisation:

Dimension Fahrzeug
voiture

165 HR 13 XAS FF TT
Formule France
16 / 53 - 13 TB 15
R8 Gordini Gr.2, Alpine A110, R5 Alpine Gr.2, Opel Kadett GT/E Gr.1,
Ford Escort RS Gr.1, BMW 2002 Gr.1, Golf GTI Gr.1, Peugeot 104 ZS Gr.2, Simca R2 Gr.2
20 / 53 - 13 TB 15 HA: Alpine A110 Gr.4, Opel Kadett GT/E Gr.2, Ford Escort RS Gr.2, BMW 2002 Gr.2,
Golf GTI Gr.2, Sunbeam Lotus Gr.2
15 / 60 - 15 TB 15 VA: Porsche 911 Gr.3
18 / 60 - 15 TB 15 VA: Porsche 911 Gr.4/Gr.B, Ferrari 308 Gr.4, Lancia Stratos Gr.4, Alpine A310 Gr.4/5,
R5 Turbo Gr.B, Opel Ascona 400 Gr.4, Opee Manta 400 Gr.B, Fiat 131 Abarth Gr.4,
Toyota Celica Gr.B
23 / 62 - 15 TB 15 VA&HA: Audi Quattro Gr.B, Toyota Supra Gr.A
HA: Opel Ascona 400 Gr.4, Opel Manta 400 Gr.B, Fiat 131 Abarth Gr.4, Toyota Celica Gr.B
26 / 61 - 15 TB 15 HA: Porsche 911 Gr.4/Gr.B, Lancia Stratos Gr.4, Alpine A310 Gr.4/5,
Opel Ascona 400 Gr.4, Opel Manta 400 Gr.B, Fiat 131 Abarth Gr.4, R5 Turbo Gr.B
29 / 61 - 15 TB 15 HA: Porsche 911 RSR, Lancia Stratos, Ferrari 308 GTB Gr.4, Ferrari BB 512

[guy mayers]

Been speaking to Paul Tattersall who has an original Stratos which is currently off the road as he hasn't been able to get tyres for it so this is great news for him!
Guy