More than 77 teams participated in this year's 40 tournaments.th The Tire Rack One Lap of America contest is a high-spirited 4,000-mile journey across the United States that combines the subtleties of on-road driving with 12 performance challenges including autocross, drag racing, and time attack-style racetrack events. . The entire race takes place over eight fast-paced days with only one set of tires allowed for each team. To be competitive, teams must choose the right vehicle, pair it with the right tire selection, and calculate the balance between performance, durability, and longevity.
Team Goodyear won this year.cent Overall victory in a 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S equipped with Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires. The coupe was piloted by performance test driver and lead engineer Nick Galatta and performance test driver Dave Ogburn.
The field of participants was wide-ranging (considering late model sports cars were pitted against vehicles such as the 1946 Plymouth Special Deluxe Coupe and the 1978 Chevrolet Nova). While everyone was out to have a good time, there was fierce competition at the top of the grid. With many teams fielding professional race car drivers in high horsepower vehicles, everyone had to bring their A-game to the event.
Team Goodyear had just three weeks to develop and test the car and tire combination. With all-wheel drive, 640 horsepower, and great racing DNA, the Porsche 911 Turbo S was an easy choice. The tires had to be suitable as well. “We went into the race with confidence knowing the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S would be incredibly fast, and the Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3 tires would not only get us through the event; “We were confident it would give us grip, consistency and durability. But we'll be competing for wins over eight days,” said Dave Ogburn. “I’m excited about my performance every day this year and being able to put Team Goodyear on top.”
Choosing the Eagle F1 SuperCar 3 presented several challenges. This tire is asymmetrical and features an ultra-high performance, high-grip, race-inspired tread compound designed for summer use. This tire is especially unsuitable for the cold days in South Bend, Indiana, where the race is being held. But that first event was just what the drivers needed to feel confident in their choice. “When I got my best finishing position ever, I knew I could win the race.” [12th place] “The wet skidpad event took a toll on the tires,” Ogburn said. The team wisely used tire warmers (electric heating blankets that wrap around the tires while parked) to ensure the tire compound was warm during competition.
“The grueling competition, spanning nearly 4,000 miles on public roads and racetracks over 12 trial events over eight days, is more than any street tire can handle,” Ogburn said. “By using durable tires that wear evenly throughout the week, Nick and I were able to push hard at each timed event without worrying about the tires losing performance. Drivers like to push all the time, so this not only makes it more fun, but it also makes us more competitive.”
The event was a great opportunity for one of the company's tire engineers to push the product to its limits. “It was an honor to represent Goodyear and it was great to see how our tires performed against our competitors in both wet and dry conditions. ” said Galatta. “His average finishing position for the 15 events was 4.4, and he recorded the fastest overall time in three time trials, ultimately winning the overall race.”