SCORE Journal

SCORE-Journal-May-2020

SCORE Journal - The Official Publication of SCORE Off-Road Racing

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SCORE Tire Guide By Mike Vieria One could argue that before Baja racing, there was no such thing as off-road tires. From competition, the off-road tire was born and has continually been developed into one of the most sophisticated and durable types of tires for trucks, SUVs and UTVs. The technologies used in making off-road tires better in competition, have translated to tires for enthusiasts across a variety of vehicle types and use. To showcase some of the latest rubber for both trucks and UTVs, we gathered the latest off-road racing tires, and dual-purpose tires from various manufacturers, many of whom participate and sponsor SCORE racers and turn their knowledge of Baja racing into better tires for everyone. BF GOODRICH www.bfgoodrichtires.com MUD TERRAIN T/A KM3 The Mud Terrain T/A KM3 is the next generation off-road tire with improved traction and strength for conquering extreme conditions. It has an advanced deflection design to help guard the upper shoulder area against snags and splits, race-proven CoreGard Max Technology and Traction-Armor Sidewall Sculpture to prevent sidewall splitting and puncturing, and Krawl-Tek compound to enhance grip on rock and other slick surfaces. The Terrain-Attack tread design uses massive tread blocks for maximum grip from any angle in mud and loose soil and Mud-Phobic Bars release compacted mud to maintain traction. A Linear Flex Zone allows the tire to flex and envelop objects in aired-down driving situations. Available in various sizes to fit 15 through 20-inch wheels. ALL TERRAIN T/A KO2 The All-Terrain T/A KO2 uses race-proven technology to deliver exceptional toughness, tread life, and traction in the toughest conditions. The KO2 uses CoreGard Technology developed in BFG’s Baja T/A KR2 race tires to improve strength and resist bruising. Tread rubber is optimally blended to reduce chips and tears on gravel, while a new footprint shape and interlocking tread blocks provide more uniform wear. Stone ejectors reduce drilling to the tire by pushing objects out of the tread and raised bars in the shoulder help release compacted mud for better traction. Available in various sizes for 15 through 20-inch wheels. TOYO TIRES www.toyotires.com OPEN COUNTRY M/T The Open Country M/T has become legendary for its durability, off-road performance, and long tread life. Designed for maximum traction on mud, snow, and rocks, the M/T features high turn-up 3-ply polyester construction, hook-shaped tread blocks, and open, scalloped, over the shoulder tread blocks that improve traction and handling on loose surfaces and in hard cornering. Open channels eject mud and snow to maintain peak performance in all conditions, while deep sipes optimize wet grip. Available in a variety of sizes to fit 15 through 26-inch wheel sizes. OPEN COUNTRY R/T The Open Country R/T is designed for strong off-road performance while still providing comfortable on road manners. It features high turn-up 3-ply polyester construction, an optimized tread pattern and shoulder design to improve traction and reduce noise, and a sidewall compound that enhances traction and impact protection. Mud and stone ejectors keep the grooves clear and ready to provide optimum grip in all conditions. Dual sidewall designs allow customization of your look. Available in various sizes to fit 15 through 24-inch wheels. OPEN COUNTRY A/T III Toyo’s Open Country A/T III is a versatile new all-terrain tire that offers excellent traction, long tread life, and a quiet ride. A new tread compound and design offers improved wet braking and handling, as well as cut and chip resistance. Rigid tread block design enhances handling stability and traction, on and off road. Deep tread grooves with stone ejectors enhance mud and snow traction while forcing stones from the tread. Dual sidewall designs allow customization of your look. Available in a variety of sizes to fit 15 through 22-inch wheels. TOYO TIRES www.toyotires.com OPEN COUNTRY SxS The Open Country SxS delivers the performance and design features of the race-winning Open Country M/T-R in a smaller package specifically designed for side-by-side UTVs. It features a high-grip tread compound and stiff sidewall construction to provide superior cornering and off-road performance, as well as improved resistance to cuts, chips, and impacts. Open, scalloped shoulder blocks enhance traction in mud, sand, and rocks, and provide precise steering response. The high void tread design ejects mud and stones for traction in all conditions. Available in size 32x9.50R15LT. This tire is for off-road use only. YOKOHAMA TIRES www.yokohamatire.com GEOLANDAR M/T G003 Yokohama Tire’s GEOLANDAR M/T G003™ mud-terrain tire is designed for hardcore off-roaders, outdoor enthusiasts, and pick-up truck/SUV owners. The M/T G003 features include aggressive sidewall styling, GEO-SHIELD™ technology with multiple sidewall plies, steel belts, a full nylon cap, a high turn-up carcass, and a special triple-polymer compound. All this allows it to provide excellent strength, performance and traction in everyday driving as well as when attacking steep, jagged rocks, muddy trails and desert sand. The high-density compound and wider, flatter profile give exceptional wear performance, while still maintaining off-road capabilities and a quiet ride. The M/T G003 is currently available in 51 sizes for 15 through 24-inch wheel diameters. GEOLANDAR X-MT The Geolandar X-MT is an extreme off-road tire that also offers outstanding treadwear and on-road handling. Tread blocks are optimized for traction and self-cleaning capabilities. Deep tread on the shoulders and sidewalls provides protection and additional traction assist in rugged terrain. The X-MT uses Yokohama’s new GEO-SHIELD construction featuring a full nylon cover, three-ply construction, and extra-thick sidewall protection to deliver off-road strength as well as a quieter, more comfortable on road ride. Available is 15 sizes for 17 through 24-inch wheels. YOKOHAMA TIRES www.yokohamatire.com GEOLANDAR X-AT Yokohama’s Geolandar X-AT is an extreme all-terrain tire designed to provide ultimate off-road performance without sacrificing on-road comfort and quiet. It features GEO-SHIELD technology construction, along with large shoulder blocks and angular center blocks to provide improved traction and stone and mud ejection. A new HD2 tread compound provides the durability for a 45,000-mile treadwear warranty, as well as improved cut and chip resistance. Available in 27 sizes for 15 through 22-inch wheels. Y829 SUPER DIGGER III The Yokohama Y829 Super Digger III tires are designed for Limited Class Buggies, Baja Bugs, and UTVs. The race-proven bias-ply Super Digger has a variable pitch design for performance and traction in sand and mud, and uses a special tread compound for longer life. A rounded profile provides superior flotation in deep sand and heavy silt, and reduces cutting and impact breaks in cornering. This is a race-only tire and not for street use. Pro Comp Tires www.procompusa.com A/T SPORT Pro Comp’s A/T Sport is designed as a maximum traction, extreme off-road tire, while still providing a quiet, comfortable ride. It features a compound formulated for optimum performance on all surfaces, wet or dry, along with a sweeping groove tread pattern that increases traction and stability in all conditions. The shoulder and tread block construction provides improved grip and traction, as well as puncture and abrasion resistance. Available in a variety of sizes for 15 through 20-inch wheels. XTREME MT2 Pro Comp’s Xtreme MT2 is designed for full-size trucks and SUVs that see a combination of on and off-road use. It features a self-cleaning open tread that enhances performance and stability in all types of conditions, on all types of surfaces, while delivering a quiet, comfortable ride. Shoulders and sidewalls are designed to provide extra traction and protection from cuts and abrasions. Available in a variety of sizes for 15 through 20-inch wheels. TENSOR TIRE www.tensortire.com DS 30 / DS 32 Tensor’s DS 30 and DS 32 tire lines are 30 and 32-inch diameter versions of the Desert Series line, specifically designed for UTV motorsports use. The race-winning DS tires feature thick tread blocks that allow for custom grooving, and ribbed sidewall shoulders for enhanced puncture resistance. DS 30 is available in 30x10x14 and 30x10x15 sizes, and has 1200-pound load rating. The DS 32 is available in 32x10x15 and has a 1600-pound load rating. TENSOR TIRE www.tensortire.com DSR 33 The DSR 33 is the first 33-inch competition-legal UTV race tire. Lighter than many 32-inch tires, the DSR 33 uses proprietary nylon bias plies, and fiberglass belting. Engineered with a flatter contact patch for superior steering response and decreased braking distances. Features ribbed sidewalls for improved puncture protection and a tread pattern that reduces drivetrain strain without reducing traction. Available in 33x10x15 size with 1600-pound load rating. DSR 35 The DSR 35 is designed to be the ultimate in buggy race tire technology, with improved grip, steering response, and overall feel. It’s the lightest Class 10 specific race tire on the market and features a ribbed sidewall shoulder for improved puncture resistance. Available in 35x10x15. FALKEN TIRE www.falkentire.com WILDPEAK A/T3W The Falken Wildpeak A/T3W combines aggressive off-road and rugged terrain capabilities with excellent on-road behavior. An optimized tread design that’s the deepest in its category, and silica tread compound allows the A/T3W to excel in the 3 areas of Wear, Winter, and Wet Performance. It’s designed for severe snow conditions and has a Three Peak Mountain Snowflake Qualification. The A/T3W uses patented full-depth 3D Canyon Sipes and a proprietary lower sidewall to deliver consistent performance through the life of the tire. Heat Diffuser Technology in the lower sidewall helps keep the tire cooler under heavy load conditions and tread blocks are designed to enhance handling and stability while also preventing stones from being trapped in the grooves. Proprietary Outer Apex Sidewall and offset shoulder blocks protect the tire from sharp rocks and provide additional traction at low tire pressures. Available in 66 sizes to fit most popular light trucks, with more to come later this year. FALKEN TIRE www.falkentire.com WILDPEAK M/T Falken’s Wildpeak M/T uses proprietary Duraspec Sidewall Technology to handle the most punishing off-road conditions with two high ply turn-ups for extra protection and durability. An optimized tread pattern designed to shed mud from the grooves and prevent rocks from puncturing the base of the tread also provides quiet performance and exceptional road manners. It also uses Heat Diffuser Technology and a tread and shoulder block design to enhance stability and protect against rock damage. Available in 26 sizes for 15” to 20” wheels, with more to come later this year. FUEL TIRES www.fueloffroadutv.com FUEL GRIPPER T/R/K TIRE Fuel UTV’s Gripper T/R/K is constructed with a 2-layer carcass that has a 10-ply DOT rating and a lightweight casing. It adds a proprietary Aramid fiber reinforced sidewall to provide additional strength and puncture resistance without a weight penalty. It features large tread blocks that wrap into the shoulder to add stability and impact resistance, along with deep grooves for improved grip. Available in 14 and 15-inch sizes. EFX TIRES www.efxtires.com EFX MOTOVATOR R/T UTV TIRE The EFX Motovator R/T UTV Tire is designed and tested by desert racers to provide superior performance on hard pack surfaces. The 8-ply radial features a light weight and low rolling resistance design, and is available in 32x9.5-15 and 35x9.5-15 sizes. EFX TIRES www.efxtires.com FX MOTOHAMMER UTV TIRE The EFX Motohammer UTV Tire is engineered to provide the largest and best contact patch on the market for superior hard pack traction. Deep shoulder lugs are designed to provide extra grip in tough conditions. The Motohammer also features 8-ply radial construction and a soft compound to conform to the terrain for better control on uneven surfaces. The tire’s high speed rating makes it a favorite for racing use. Available in a wide variety of sizes for 14-inch through 20-inch wheels. SYSTEM 3 www.system3offroad.com XTR370 X-TERRAIN UTV RADIAL TIRE The System 3 XTR370 X-Terrain UTV Radial is an 8-ply-rated radial featuring a deep, 10-inch wide tread with multi-angle shoulder tread blocks for improved traction and side bite on a variety of surfaces. Advanced sidewall construction with a deep rim guard protects against damage to tire and wheel alike, and provides confident handling and a comfortable ride. Available in four sizes for 14 and 15-inch wheels, with sizes coming soon for up to 20-inch wheels. MICKEY THOMPSON TIRES www.mickeythompsontires.com BAJA PRO Mickey Thompson Baja Pro off-road tires are specially designed for desert and short course racing. They feature tough bias belted construction for superior strength and impact resistance, as well as an anti-cut compound. Available in 15-inch sizes. These tires are only for racing and not for street use. BAJA BOSS M/T The Baja Boss M/T is an ultra-premium extreme mud terrain radial tire featuring an asymmetric tread pattern for improved handling and feel, and reduced noise. Four-pitch Sidebiters and deep, wide voids enhance traction and forward bite. 3-ply sidewall construction provides extra puncture resistance, while shoulder and tread design promotes mud and stone ejection. Available in sizes for 15 through 24-inch diameter wheels. BAJA BOSS X The Baja Boss X is an extreme terrain tire using a Sticky Competition Compound for excellent off-road traction. Extra-large four-pitch Sidebiters further enhance off-road grip and stone-ejector ribs prevent gravel from being wedged into the tread grooves. An extra-thick denier cord third ply provides improved puncture resistance, as well as quicker steering response and greater stability. Available in 37x12.50R17LT and 40x13.50R17LT sizes. These tires are NOT street legal. MICKEY THOMPSON TIRES www.mickeythompsontires.com MINI MAG The Mickey Thompson Mini Mag extreme desert racing tire is specially designed for desert and short course racing, with tough bias belted construction for superior strength and impact resistance. They use an anti-cut compound and are available in 15-inch size. These time-tested tires are for racing use only and not for street use. RADAR TIRES www.omni-united.com/radar-us RENEGADE R/T The Renegade R/T is an all-new Rugged Terrain tire designed to give exceptional off-road performance coupled with on-road comfort and sophistication. Engineered for the off-road capabilities of a pure M/T tire while still delivering superior handling and a quiet, smooth ride on the pavement. The Renegade R/T gives drivers a choice of looks with reversible dual sidewall designs with dagger-shaped or wedge-shaped side biters. It features an open shoulder design with wide, interlocking center tread blocks for better traction and even wear characteristics. Stone ejectors keep the tread clear and highly reinforced 3-ply sidewalls provide extra puncture protection and enable heavier loads, providing an F-Load rating in some sizes. Available in sizes for 17 through 24-inch wheels. RENEGADE R7 M/T The Renegade R7 M/T is a mud terrain tire designed specifically to provide superior traction and handling for extreme off-road applications. It features an aggressive tread pattern with a high void ratio and open shoulder design for maximum traction in tough conditions, along with state-of-the-art stone-ejector technology and 3-ply casing construction for durability and strength. Available in a variety of sizes for 16 through 22-inch wheels. RADAR TIRES www.omni-united.com/radar-us RENEGADE A/T5 The Renegade A/T5 is the top all-terrain tire from Radar Tires. It features unique stone-ejector technology that prevents stones from drilling and lodging in the tread. Designed as an ideal choice for off-road use while providing good characteristics in on-road driving, the all-season A/T5 features wide center tread blocks for better weight distribution and even wear. Multiple lateral grooves and angled sipes provide enhanced traction on all surfaces. The A/T5’s 3-ply construction reduces the risk of punctures in tough conditions and helps provide sure-footed handling responses. Available in a variety of sizes to fit 15 through 22-inch wheels, including some sizes with an F-Load rating. RENEGADE R5 The Renegade R5 is an extreme off-road tire developed and tested in some of the world’s harshest conditions. Race-proven in Baja, the R5 features deep tread blocks and a specially designed, high-void, “hooked” tread pattern for improved grip in sand, mud, and on rocks. It uses a robust carcass and scalloped, open shoulders to ensure high resistance to damage in off-road conditions. The tread blocks are self-cleaning to maintain traction in tough conditions. The Renegade R5 MT is available in various sizes to fit 15 through 17-inch wheels.  PRO ARMOR www.proarmor.com CRAWLER XR 33 Pro Armor’s Crawler XR 33-inch Tire provides more tread for gripping than smaller tires on 15-inch wheels. The square traction profile is designed to improve performance on trails and desert terrain, and the soft-durometer compound provides extreme traction on rocky surfaces, while providing longer wear. The Crawler XR uses 8-ply rated construction and an aggressive tread pattern for strength, durability, and performance. Available in 33x10x15 size. SAND REAR TIRES Pro Armor’s 32x15x15 Sand Rear Tire and 30x14x15 Sand Rear Tire are precision engineered 4-ply, 16-paddle designs, with 1-inch scoops for the ultimate in sand acceleration. Constructed with lightweight, flexible sidewalls that add flotation and stability, the Sand Rear Tires are designed to handle extreme horsepower for high performance use. Intended for rear wheel use only, to be paired with Sand Front Tires. SAND FRONT TIRE Pro Armor’s 32x12x15 Sand Front Tire is a unique 3-tiered, 8-ply design, engineered to deliver hard turning bite and to eliminate front end drift. A lightweight design and flexible sidewalls add flotation and stability for high-performance use. Intended for front wheel use only. MOTO RACE TIRE www.motoracetire.com MRT X-ROX DD TRUCK TIRE MRT’s X-Rox DD Truck Tire is constructed with Triple Armor Belt Kevlar sidewalls to provide maximum strength for high-horsepower vehicles, while still providing light weight. The 12-ply rated radial tire features self-cleaning 16/32” tread for superior traction and cornering ability on all types of surfaces. Available in a variety of sizes, with the 35x12.5x20 carrying an F-load rating. MRT DUAL THREAT RACE TIRE MRT’s Dual Threat UTV Tire is optimized for racing with four wraps of Kevlar from bead to bead, 19/32” tread depth with a square footprint, and corner-biting stability. Self-cleaning tread and sidewalls provide maximum performance in all conditions. The 10-ply rated Dual Threat radial is designed to protect against punctures and abrasions, while maintaining light weight and providing serious traction on all surfaces. Available in a variety of sizes, with the 32x10x15 size carrying a 1390-pound load rating. MRT X-ROX DD RACE TIRE MRT’s X-Rox DD UTV Tire features 8-ply construction with six wraps of Kevlar bead to bead for maximum strength and resistance to punctures and abrasions. Tread depth is 25/32”, and is available with standard or sticky compound for the most demanding traction needs. Self-cleaning tread with side biters provides a square contact patch for maximum cornering and stability. Available in a variety of sizes, with 35x10.5x15 carrying a 1760-pound load rating. MOTO RACE TIRE www.motoracetire.com MRT RACE TIRE MRT’s Race UTV Tire features 8-ply construction with six wraps of Kevlar bead to bead for maximum strength and resistance to punctures and abrasions, and is DOT-legal. The 17/32” tread is available in standard or sticky compound for maximum traction. Available in a variety of sizes, with 33x10x15 carrying a 1390-pound load rating. KENDA TIRES www.kendatire.com KLEVER M/T KR29 Kenda’s Klever M/T KR29 is designed with a high void ratio and compounding to provide excellent off-road traction for racing and other use. The self-cleaning, stone ejecting tread enhances grip in tough conditions, and the variable shoulder block design improves wear while providing a quieter, more comfortable ride. A 3-ply polyester carcass and sturdy bead protector shields help guard against cutting, tearing, and abrasions. Available in a variety of sizes to fit 15 through 22-inch wheels. KENDA TIRES www.kendatire.com KLEVER R/T KR601 Kenda’s Klever R/T KR601 is intended to provide the ability to conquer rough terrain without sacrificing the ride and comfort of an all-terrain tire. Interlocking center tread blocks provide traction off-road and in snow, while large groove volumes maximize performance in mud and wet conditions. A 3-ply polyester carcass, aggressive sidewall tread, and bead protector shields fend off cuts and abrasions from obstacles. Stud-able for improved winter performance. Available in a variety of sizes to fit 16 through 22-inch wheels. GREENBALL TIRES www.greenballtires.com DIRT COMMANDER UTV TIRE The Dirt Commander from GBC Motorsports is an 8-ply rated bias tire designed to provide optimal performance in all types of conditions, while providing the strength and puncture resistance to handle the most rugged of terrain. It features deep siping, biting edges, and a large void area to provide superior traction and to eject mud and stones. Available in a variety of sizes for 12, 14, and 15-inch wheels. GREENBALL TIRES www.greenballtires.com GRIM REAPER UTV TIRE The Grim Reaper Tire from GBC Motorsports combines an aggressive tread with deep wrap-around shoulder lugs to enhance traction and contact at all angles. The 8-ply radial provides high puncture resistance on rocky trails and superior performance on softer terrain. Available in a variety of sizes for 12-inch and 14-inch wheels. MONGREL UTV TIRE The Mongrel Tire from GBC Motorsports is made specifically for the higher horsepower and speed capabilities of today’s UTVs. It features rugged 10-ply radial construction and reinforced sidewalls. A full-coverage, self-cleaning tread pattern wraps around the tire for a rounded profile providing optimized performance in all types of terrain, including pavement. DOT approved Mongrel is available in a variety of sizes to fit 12, 14, and 15-inch wheels. TERRA MASTER UTV TIRE The Terra Master Tire from GBC Motorsports features an asymmetrical, non-directional tread pattern providing two distinctive sides to customize your tire set up for your vehicle application and driving style. The 10-ply steel-belted radial exceeds DOT standards and is optimized for forward traction and side bite in a wide variety of terrain and conditions. Available in an assortment of sizes to fit 12, 14, and 15-inch wheels. OBOR TIRES www.obor-tires.com PREDATOR Obor’s Predator UTV Tire is designed to provide extreme durability and maximum handling performance with the comfort of an LT-style UTV tire. The 8-ply rated Predator features a stepped, multi-pitch tread block design to improve rigidity and reduce noise, while dual sidewall patterns offer puncture and abrasion resistance. Available in four sizes for 14 and 15-inch wheels. BRAWLER The Baja Race-proven Brawler UTV Tire is inspired by the looks and engineering of light truck tires, while being a perfect choice for professional drivers in extreme terrain. It features a flatter profile and specialized rubber compound for improved traction on all surfaces. The DOT-approved, 10-ply rated Brawler is designed to endure the toughest conditions, as well as to provide outstanding stability and long tread life. Available in three sizes for 14-inch wheels. OBOR TIRES www.obor-tires.com HOWLER The Howler UTV Tire features non-directional pointy center tread lugs to improve straight line stability, along with diagonal tread blocks to enhance corner grip and controllability. The lightweight 6-ply rated carcass is constructed with sidewalls designed to add rigidity for better handling and to reduce punctures and abrasions. Available in front and rear versions for 12 and 14-inch wheels. NEXEN TIRE www.nexentireusa.com ROADIAN MTX The Nexen Roadian MTX is a versatile on and off-road tire meant for daily driving, rock crawling, desert racing, and everything in between. The MTX features a dual sidewall design that allows you to customize the look of your vehicle and uses 3-ply sidewall construction for stability and durability. It comes with an F-Load Weight Rating for higher carrying and towing capabilities. Patented, optimized tread block positions improve traction in tough conditions while reducing tire noise on the pavement. The Roadian MTX is available in 35 sizes for 15” through 22” wheels. ROADIAN AT PRO RA8 The Roadian AT Pro RA8 uses a zig-zag sipe design and an open outside shoulder to improve off-road performance with optimal mud extraction and heat reduction. A sipe-in-groove feature additionally helps to eject pebbles and provides further traction in mud. The multi-sequence tread design optimizes noise, wear, and drainage performance. Available in 57 sizes for 15” through 22” wheels. NEXEN TIRE www.nexentireusa.com ROADIAN MT Nexen’s Roadian MT is specifically engineered with deep grooves to combat the demands of mud and rougher terrain. Specially designed zig-zag shoulders and super rigid tread blocks maximize durability, while wide grooves offer excellent drainage and resistance to hydroplaning. Available in three sizes for 15” and 16” wheels.

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