Want to See True Flat-Spotting Billboards?

[Fred Z]

[quote=Bernica;1267385]Ok, This has me a little freaked out....

These Billboards have less than 500 miles, but have been sitting on the car for a few years. I posted before about my concerns about the sidewall cracking. Then, last night...WHOOSH! There goes one. Then an hour later...WHOOSH! There goes another!

Hummm....I think the answer is somewhere in this verbiage. I happen to live in the same area as Bernica. I think a 'race' tire is pretty safe considering it has to be driven at brutal speeds and worked hard....hence the word...RACE. But to drive other than racing should allow the tire to be used longer and as safe, I would think. But, maybe I am missing something. However, leaving a tire on the car, not using them and sitting for extended periods of time.....isn't that something like leaving a nice Cashmere sweater in the closet and being surprised it has holes from the moths? Just sayin....................

fred z

[Learjockey1]

Just get the Avons and be done with it.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by Fred Z

I think a 'race' tire is pretty safe considering it has to be driven at brutal speeds and worked hard....hence the word...RACE. But to drive other than racing should allow the tire to be used longer and as safe, I would think. But, maybe I am missing something.

Race tracks and public streets/highways are COMPLETELY different driving environments. There's no comparison. Generally speaking, racetracks do NOT have debris, potholes, glass, cans, bottles, tree branches or any crap on the road.

If you were a bookmaker, then what odds would you place on the survival of Billboards versus Avons on our public roads? And what would wager on yourself and your passenger surviving an incident with these tires?

[Bernica]

This is what to watch for. Again, I loved the tires and not bashing them. Sorry to cause such a ruckus. Just want folks to know.

[mickmate]

I think you illustrate your point well with that last picture Michael. There is a huge difference between what is described as "ozone cracking" which you can see alongside those gaping cracks and the real problem. I just swapped out a Billboard tire with a row of leaking pin holes along the edge of a moulded in lettering. Probably not a structural problem with the tire but certainly along the lines of a race cars maintenance where they are visually and physically checked before use. The age of these tires and their exposure to the elements are the two biggest problems I see. If you drive a race car on the street, which is what we are talking about, the maintenance needs to be on par with one. When did you last flush your braking system?

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Bernica

This is what to watch for. Again, I loved the tires and not bashing them. Sorry to cause such a ruckus. Just want folks to know.

Judging by your pic... The problem is NOT the tire, the problem is you don't drive them hard enough
Far too much tread left on those things

PS: Thanks for sharing - I see no reason for you to apologize for any ruckus.