EDMONTON, AB. – For more than a decade, Goodyear has been the ‘official’ racing tire of the Northern Provincial Pipelines Late Model Series.  Last summer, Goodyear dropped a bombshell by announcing it was phasing out production of its dirt track tires.  The decision left many North American racing Series looking for a replacement.  With the NPP Late Model Series inventory of Goodyear tires down to less than four dozen, NPP Series officials are allowing teams to run either Goodyear dirt racing tires or Hoosier dirt racing tires for the 2013 race season.  For one driver, the choice of which tire to run was simple.  “I had a few Goodyear tires left over from last year,” admits defending NPP Series Champion Kevin Wheeler, “but I’ve been running Hoosiers since the start of the season.”

POINT LEADER WHEELER HAPPY WITH HOOSIERS (photo: STP Racing Memories)

Wheeler made history last month, winning the first NPP Series Feature while running Hoosier racing tires.  “I used to run Hoosiers on my open wheel modified.  I sure like them better than Goodyears.”  Wheeler won the 2002 Alberta Outlaw Modified Season Championship on Hoosiers.  “I would have to say that the Hoosier grips the track better than the Goodyear.”  So far about 30% of NPP Series race teams have made the switch-over from Goodyear to Hoosier racing tires.

FINAL SEASON FOR GOODYEAR DIRT TIRES?

Ironically the top three cars in the current NPP Series Championship point standings have been running Hoosier tires.  “There are some subtle changes to the handling,” adds Wheeler, ” I did have to do some tweaks to the car for the slightly softer sidewall.”  Sitting third in the NPP Series point standings is Kevin Clark.  The Altario, Alberta driver has a completely different assessment of the Hoosier tires.  “The tires [Hoosiers] might be similar to what we’ve been running but they are definitely not better.”

NOT HAPPY WITH HOOSIERS – CLARK GOES BACK TO GOODYEAR (photo: STP Racing Memories)

Clark started out his 2013 season on Hoosier tires but at the mid-way point of the Race of Champions event (July 31) in Edmonton, Clark switched back to his diminishing supply of Goodyear tires.  “The way I like to run my car, I can’t with these tires [Hoosiers].  They are like hockey pucks as far as I’m concerned.”  Clark finished third in the Race of Champions Feature behind Dave Blaney and Ken Schrader.  Blaney was running Goodyear race tires.  Schrader’s race car was running Hoosiers.  “Yes I am going to have to get used to these new tires.  Hopefully we will have the option of running a softer compound.”  The slow changeover from the Goodyear dirt racing tires to the Hoosier dirt racing tires continues for NPP Late Model Series competitors.  Next race is Saturday, August 17th in Edmonton.