New BF Goodrich G-Force Rival

[Jim@tirerack]

I was invited down the NOLA Motorsport to experience the new BF Goodrich Rival tire. It is in the Extreme Performance category. We had a number of exercises set up to test the performance of the tires and we were at the track almost the whole day. The event was both informative and a lot of fun. I almost didn't miss the -15 wind chill and 12" of snow back at Tire Rack.


First up for the day was a skid pad challenge with all BF Goodrich branded tires. We were in the g-Force Comp 2 first followed by the g-Force Rival and then the g-Force R1S R compound tire. We were able to test G's on the lap top on all three tires with the instructor calling out numbers. Obviously there was a difference between the three but the gap was closed significantly between the Rival and the R1. I was within about a point between the two tires. We saw an average of around 1g for the Sport Comp 2, 1.15 for the g-Force Rival and 1.2g for the R1-S. The layout of the skidpad had a crest in two spots, which further challenged the traction and handling of the tires. Overall you got an idea of what we were going to experience the rest of the day with the traction and performance of the tires.

The next exercise was a short autocross with the Subaru STI. The tires in this test were the Hankook Ventus R-S3, Toyo R1R and the G-Force Rival. We did two laps in each car starting with the BFG and then into the next car and so on. We did one final lap in the BFG and you could really tell the difference. I felt the Rival provided better transitions and was more consistent on the two laps. Maybe it was knowing the track better the last lap and I think that was part of it but not all of it.
The other thing that we saw was tire wear on the other two tires compared to the BF Goodrich was significant. I posted a link to take a look at the wear on the tires.

http://i291.photobuc....Sidebyside.jpg


The third exercise we did was after lunch in the FR500 Mustangs on the Rival and the Falken RK615. This was a high speed exercise on the full track. I really wish we had more time on the track to be more familiar with the cars and the track layout. The track was extremely flat and the Mustangs were excellent handling. I thought both tires were very good handling and had a lot of confidence in both. I did think the progressivity made the BFG Rival a little easier to drive faster at my limit not the tires limit. After we were finished with the day I took a hot lap with Michael Self in the Mustang and I learned where the limit was of the tire and I was nowhere near that limit. The G-Force Rival was amazing and if the race tires are that much better I don't think I could take many more G's on my body. The way the tread rubber compound wraps around to the sidewall of the tire (ETE) really helps when you are pushing the car into the corners and the tires goes over on the sidewall. You could see the tires on the edge after running them how far the tire had rolled over. With the BFG you were still on the same rubber compound that is on the tread.



The fourth and last exercise was a longer autocross with the E46M3 with the Rival going head to head with the Hankook RS3. I noticed that in the M3 the BF Goodrich did not take as much effort. The laps were very consistent and confidence inspiring. I found myself pushing even harder as the laps went on. My instructor noticed I was working harder in the car and not going faster with the Hankook tire. We did not keep track of times but from feedback from the car and the instructor, I have to believe I was faster on the g-Force Rival. It was definitely easier to drive.


We will be doing a full test here at Tire Rack as early as we can but we still have ice and snow so probably 4 to 5 months. All and all I came away impressed with the G-Force Rival and New Orleans. I think If I lived down in New Orleans I would weigh about 30 lbs. more (thanks to Willie Mae's fried Chicken) so maybe it is a good thing I got back North to shovel some snow. Keep watching our web site and the forum for the testing.
If I can help with anything let me know.


http://www.tirerack....l_Video_Jim.jsp&affiliate=GH9

[Jim@tirerack]

The new tire is the BF Goodrich G-Force Rival. All I can say is they are very fast. I will be posting a better follow up later this week. I will have some video and other pictures to post as well. We will also be doing our full test as the weather gets warmer up here in Indiana.
If I can help give me a call.


http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll289/XCELR8_album/BFG/Sidebyside.jpg

This series of pics is from our Subaru STi. From left to right we have Toyo R1R, Hankook RS3, and the new BFG Rival. My group was the second group to run the cars before lunch. The Toyo and Hankook had 48 runs on them at that point in the day. However, the BFG was ran an additional lap at the end for a total of 72 total runs before lunch. Check out the difference in wear!

[Jim@tirerack]

Here is the press release.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (January 23, 2012) – BFGoodrich® today unveiled a new extreme performance tire called the g-Force™ Rival™. The tire will help BFGoodrich target a growing market of drivers seeking extreme performance tires which are versatile enough to be used in auto-cross and track-day events then driven home. The tires have a 200 UTQG Rating (Uniform Tire Quality Grade) which allows them to be used in racing where drivers must compete on 140+ UTQG tires.

“The g-Force Rival helps BFGoodrich fill a growing need in the extreme performance market,” said Andrew Koury, BFGoodrich brand manager. “From autocross to road course events, on street or the track, we want drivers to own it.”


The Rival complements a successful BFGoodrich launch of the g-Force™ Sport Comp-2™ ultra-high performance street tire which was introduced in February 2012. Unlike the mostly street driven g-Force Sport COMP-2, the g-Force Rival was designed for track level abuse while providing drivability on the street. The g-Force Rival is predictable, allowing drivers to turn faster lap times1, and turn heads on the street. Highlight features include:

•    Razor-sharp reflexes - The Performance Racing Core™ (PRC) with a reinforced internal structure reduces sidewall flex for instant steering response.
•    Designed to stick - Asymmetric tread with large, solid tread blocks on the outside shoulder to optimize cornering grip.

•    Raise the limit - Extreme Tread Edge™ (ETE) design brings tread compound farther down the shoulder for increased grip in hard cornering and predictable feedback.
•    Consistent grip lap after lap — Silica-infused competition compound delivers better grip from start to finish.1

•    Street legal with a UTQG treadwear rating of 200 so you can drive to the track and back.

The Rival will initially launch with 15 sizes with rim dimensions from 15-20 inches and 205-335 section width. The product will be available through TireRack.com with pre-orders beginning on February 1.

[Jim@tirerack]

Here is a link to the sizes that will be available.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=g-Force+Rival&affiliate=GH9

[Jim@tirerack]

The video and wrap up is listed. If I can help let me know.

[Stück]

Very excited to see another tire added to the very short list of ones that come in the sizes for my e30 (335/30R18, 275/35R18)

[Jim@tirerack]

If I can help let me know. I would love to see a pic of the E30. I drove one for about 10 years and loved that car.