Abrasive track surface? (bridgestone tires)

[Solo]

I'm kind of floundering in trying to figure out which compounds work well here in the mid-atlantic.

The track surfaces in Japan were pretty abrasive and we could run a Bridgestone hard compound (Type 2) all year with the exception of January and February.
Basically, if the daytime temp rose above 55 deg, a Type 2 was fine (which 95% of the riders used) and on a routine practice day, there would be very few crashes.
This is with the use of tire warmers, and the same general rule above applied to sprint racers

I see and read so much about folks crashing here it makes me wonder (and obviously this is purely subjective) but are the track surfaces here known to be less abrasive than elsewhere?  Or put another way, will a type 2 hard compound tire put me on my head on a cool day?

[Super Dave]

Hard to give an exact answer. 

Region to region, let alone continent to continent, local aggregates that are used in tarmac construction are different in content.  Thus, comparing data from what you had to here might not work. 

To give some very specific examples, there were struggles with tires at some MotoGP races held at Laguna Seca.  Some tires that have recognition as being the "good" tire in Europe hasn't worked well here.  We've liked the "B" tire. 

Hopefully, someone with more Bridgestone experience might be able to help you out too. 

[Solo]

Thanks.
I searched on-line and the majority opiniion appears to lean towards the soft compound type 4.
I can't tell if that's because people buy bridgestones conservative (read: industry) recommendations or that's their experience.

Like you said, I'm looking for the Bridgestone contingent to comment.

[Rick Johnson 29]

If you go to the home page and under contingency sponsors and
click on Bridgestone there is a track temp. and grip level chart for
the 003's.I'm new to Bridgestone myself.Some racers I've talked to
always run the 4 front for grip.The rear 4 might only be used if it's
cold or someone wants some serious rear grip and track
temp below 60F, 3 on tracks not so rough and track temp. 60 to 100F.
2 is used on a track that is rough and has good grip level and track temp.s
between 70 to 122F.
Derek or the guys a Stickboy racing can answer all your Bridgestone
tire questions and sell you them. Try http://www.stickboyracing.com/
Hope this helps some.

[Solo]

If you go to the home page and under contingency sponsors and
click on Bridgestone there is a track temp. and grip level chart for
the 003's.

Thanks.

The Bridgestone reps in Japan told us the chart was pretty conservative and my own seat time has told me the same.
Like I mentioned, the vast majority of Japanese club racers running DOT classes use a type 2 rear and type 3 front 10 months out of the year.

So, I'm geussing the experience around here leans toward the chart being more applicable thus the difference must be the tracks here are not as abrasive.

Hmmm...   I guess to be safe, for April I'll go with a type 4 front and type 3 rear and compare it to my previous setup.

[Rick Johnson 29]

CMP is generally a rough track but they have repaved many of
the corners so it's not as bad on tires as it use to be.I'll probally
do the 4 front and 3 rear also.Ran the 002's like that on a trackday
weekend there last year and and they did fine.Also ran the same
at VIR and they were great there.003's I hear are even better.

Stickboy is doing 5 and 10 set discounts for racers.I'll find the link
and PM you.

[Solo]

CMP is generally a rough track but they have repaved many of
the corners so it's not as bad on tires as it use to be.I'll probally
do the 4 front and 3 rear also.Ran the 002's like that on a trackday
weekend there last year and and they did fine.Also ran the same
at VIR and they were great there.003's I hear are even better.

That's good feedback.  You've tipped my scale into swapping the type 3 front I have on already.
and I recieved the link, thanks!

My first run on 003s was last April at Sugo.  It didn't go so well as it was the very first time I experienced front end chatter.
Specifically, in the hard braking zone just before the back chicane.
It was absolutely the most intense, lack of control, can't turn this thing while the front end bounces up and down, chatter.

I stayed away from then on because:
1. I had plenty of 002s (no chatter anywhere)
2. I was moving to NOVA and couldn't campaign the 2008 season.

Now, folks are pretty much out of 002s so I'm going to make the change to 003s.  I'm hoping (as I've been told) my one bad experience was a fluke.

[apriliaman]

 I have used bridgestones slicks before and i liked them alot.I havent tried the 002-003's yet. I used bridgestone bt 090 on my 1988 yamaha fzr 400,the back lasted very long ,the whole year 700 miles but the front only lasted me 150 miles so i used a pirelli front with no problem.That tire wount have enough grip for your bike as they are made for smalles bikes.

[Rick Johnson 29]

Just in case I'll ask Stickboy what he thinks I should run at
CMP.He knows the track well.

[stickboy274]

Hey, sorry I'm late. I was out at CMP riding around last weekend. For all around set up, the type4 front/type3 rear is hard to beat. The type 3 front should be tried though. It has a different shape and I think it gives a little more feedback. It's shaped like the Type 2 front you were using before. They type 4 is more rounded. It's a good place to start if you are coming from Pirelli's since the shape is very close on both of them.

They type 4 rear is really fast, but it also starts to go off after about the second or third sprint race. If you only have a couple of races, or can afford to change tires, then run them.

On a side note, I will be doing a trackday the weekend before the race there. If you want to come out let me know and I'll make arrangements so you can leave your trailers there over the week. That way you won't have to drag them back and forth two weeks in a row.

[Hollywood]

The one they call Stick is good peoples and knows his tracks and tires. Trust in the Stick, for it is your friend.(Hey Stick! ) He also knows generators.

Solo- Good 600 set ups were had with Type 4 fronts and Type 3 rears. Fronts would start to get slippy after a few sprint races. Good turn in. Very even. Not too much chatter at all. 003's can be pretty pressure sensitive though, so try to check with the 'Stone rep there and get a preliminary pressure setting.

Good Luck.

[stickboy274]

What's up Hollywood.