Firestone out, Cooper in

[David_Skywalker]

I am starting to think the Indy Lights is under better management than IndyCar, they are making big moves to save the series.

http://www.racer.com/cooper-tires-coming-to-indy-lights/article/305995/

[Hitokiri]

I am starting to think the Indy Lights is under better management than IndyCar, they are making big moves to save the series.

http://www.racer.com/cooper-tires-co...rticle/305995/

I say this is a good move. Firestone was basically ripping Indy Lights off by having the teams buy certain sets of tires and rumors are that Firestone purposely made the life of the tires shorter forcing teams to buy new tires. Cooper Tires has been the staple of many junior series throughout the world and was the supplier of the Atlantic Series. They did a great job in the Atlantic Series and I'm sure well do well in Indy Lights.

[Miguel]

Good, now only one more championship to go.

[Sweaty Teddy]

Good, now only one more championship to go.

But tradition!
But activation!
But partner!
But they're the only ones who you can trust to build a superspeedway tire!

Seriously though, I wish the Continental Tire deal had gone through and I would to see some fresh blood in the tire department.

[Jakester]

I say this is a good move. Firestone was basically ripping Indy Lights off by having the teams buy certain sets of tires and rumors are that Firestone purposely made the life of the tires shorter forcing teams to buy new tires. Cooper Tires has been the staple of many junior series throughout the world and was the supplier of the Atlantic Series. They did a great job in the Atlantic Series and I'm sure well do well in Indy Lights.

Perhaps Firestone tire costs were high, but I would discount any rumors regarding intentionally short tire life due to the nature of the series and the rules.

Indy Lights tire life is dictated by the length of the race and no planned pit stops, which are generally 100 miles in length. So tire life will be essentially 100 miles.

No team is going to run the same set of tires for 2 races, even if tire life were 200 miles. They might use scuffs from the last race for first practice session, but surely would pop a new set on for qualifying.

Indy Lights tire rules currently restrict a team to 3 sets of tires for an oval weekend and 3 new, 1 used for road/street events.

Section 14.10 https://hardcards.indycar.com/Resour...s_Rulebook.pdf

[Hitokiri]

Seriously though, I wish the Continental Tire deal had gone through and I would to see some fresh blood in the tire department.

It's a bit off topic for the ladder series section of TF but I think if Indycar can find a good and willing title sponsor after IZOD it'll be okay. If IZOD goes and no one is there to replace them then Indycar well miss this deal. The Continental Tire deal did seem pretty sweet and it sort of burns me that they're now seeking to be the tire manufacturer for the newly united USCR.

[Grizzlor]

Cooper I don't think is interested in IndyCar level, but this is a great deal for the Lights.