So everyone is aware of the tire issue we had with the BFG Rival, here is an update. BFG has not done anything regarding the issue as of yet. Tirerack, who is the exclusive retailer and distributor of the Rival tire informed me that they have had issues with some of the other sizes of there than my 275/40/18 with the shoulder of the tire delaminating from the tread. Their technicians have received my photos below, and i provided them with my alignment specs and video of the car being run. They haven't gotten back to me as of yet with a determination. Below are pics of the single tire that has come apart. It was a left front. Also is a rear tire that appears to have cuts accross the tread, both rear tires have this and it appears to be as deep as the rubber. I have seen this on other tires we have run on the car in the past and never resulted in an issue. My biggest concern with the Rival tire is the durability of the tire when used in competition, for which it was supposedly designed for. Just a not, the outer shoulder is not worn through, and did not contribute to the splitting of the tire itself. The tire has about 60% tread left
Just curious Keith but what tire pressures are you running?
30 cold 34-35 hot. Tire temps were about 150-165 on roadcourse. Last year I aired the Nitto NT-05's down to 25 psi and nearly tore them off the rim, and they didn't fall apart! On the autocross I marked the side wall to see how far they rolled over, and I was getting almost to the edge of the shoulder. Tires were checked after Saturday's autocross and speed stop events and they didn't show any signs of coming apart. Sunday was the Road Course and aparently they weren't up to the task. I am hoping BFg will get me a new tire to replace the one coming apart so i can finish evaluating these tires. If they aren't up to the task I will have to run Falken tires instead. I will keep you posted if BFG does anything
The outside edge looks like a rub to me? Notice the inside edge is not blued. Are you sure you didn't hit a piece of debris? The horizontal line is concerning.
Its not a rub, apparently there are lots of Rival tires doing this. The rubber on the shoulder is not worn at all, and the depth of where it is coming apart isn't consistent around the tire, the tread is pealing off!
Based on the pictures, the front tire does look to be under inflated. You are rolling to far over on the sidewall. I don't think it should delaminate like that, though.
The rear "cut" across the tread is where the splice is. It is supposed to be a non issue and I have seen several Rivals do this in all sorts of sizes.
Tire Rack has decided to send me a new tire, so we will run this set till they are finished. i will try and follow up with how they do. Thanks for the feed back
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
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