The Lernerville rule referenced UMP tire rules which I did not see until BaconBits pointed out about not being allowed to remove markings on tires. I just now while following up on what BaconBits wrote and there being a benchmark or reference made this come to mind. If tires are able to be tested against a benchmark, why does it matter if the markings are on the tire?
Moving on I went to the UMP rules and below I've posted rules from Dirt UMP which would pertain to Lernerville, especially since Sportsman tire requirements are not the same as in Dirt UMP rules.
Below are copied UMP rules:
D. Any local track and/or DIRTcar official can confiscate any tire at any time and during any DIRTcar event to be evaluated and analyzed including verification using a tire durometer. Tires may also be submitted for further chemical analysis.
E. Defacing or altering any of the manufacturer’s identification markings, letters, words, numbers, on any tire will not be permitted. The tire compounds may be covered by duct tape as long as the local track and/or DIRTcar officials are able to remove the covering at any time for inspection purposes. Any alteration of tires may result in immediate suspension from all DIRTcar racetracks and/or events and/or penalties deemed appropriate by local track and/or DIRTcar and/or World Racing Group Supervisory Officials.
F. Tire softeners and/or chemicals designed to alter the chemical characteristics of the tire and/or the tire surface will not be permitted.
Per the rules Sportsman tires will either have a durometer reading taken or be sent for chemical analysis. I doubt very much any local track would pay to have tire samples from their stock or Sportsman class sent in to be tested. If that's not done it leave checking by durometer and looking to see if all the correct markings are on the tire. It all takes me back to asking what is the "benchmark" and more accuratly asking what are factory "benchmark" durometer readings for LM 20, 30 and 40 tires?
If reading cannot be given then Sportsman racers to avoid a DQ will have buy new tires to race or be darn certain used tires they buy or are given have not been altered. Without at least durometer readings there is no way any Sportsman racer can be sure they will not be DQ'ed because of a durometer check by the track. Are Hoosier LM 20, 30 and 40 durometer benchmark readings not given out by Hoosier? I guess it's possible Hoosier does not have a benchmark for tire durometer readings because it would require them to make tires with more expensive quality controls and that is why I could not find any reference to a durometer reading on the web. It may be rules making promoters have instituted a non existent benchmark for durometer reading, which is beyond the manufactures quality control requirements. There is no reason Hoosier cannot change the composition of their tires from season to season and even during the season. I don't see it as making a difference to the racer because tires will either get used up or age and get harder. The only reason a durometer benchmark has any meaning is for testing per rules set in place by promoter rules makers.
I could not find any official information on the web about the durometer readings for Hoosier LM 20, 30 and 40 tires.
If someone can post the readings, it will make all this mute and if there is no expensive chemical testing is going to be done by Lernerville all racers need to do is make sure their tires will meet an acceptable durometer reading. If Lernerville is going to send samples out to be tested and DQ upon results, it also means the only way Sportsman racers will know they will not be DQ'ed is if they buy and use new tires.
edit: I think the answer is pretty simple. Either give the benchmark durometer readings for LM 20, 30 and 40 tires if you have them or it's open do what ever you want to the tires so long as you use the right tire from Hoosier. While writing this I'm starting to think more and more, that maybe Hoosier does not give out specific durometer readings for it's tires. And I don't know why they would need to because if tires are not treated they will either get used up or harden with age. The only one's I now see with any interest in durometer readings are promoter rules makers and tire suppliers. I'm starting to wonder if the protest about DQ because of tires results are because Hoosier does not have a benchmark because it and other race tire companies do not need to have one.
Edited by dirtstudent2, 29 November 2016 - 08:36 AM.
