g-Force RIVAL
The new g-Force RIVAL tires have been improved and are ideal for street and autocross driving. With improved design and manufacturing adjustments, the g-Force RIVAL sacrifices wear and tear for a better warm-up and more precise control. The g-Force RIVAL tires perform well in speed races. The BF Goodrich g-Force RIVAL has improved handling and steering response compared to the previous generation, but BF Goodrich did not stop there and this year the company introduced a new version of its Extreme Performance tires, dubbed the BF Goodrich g-Force RIVAL.
The new BFGoodrich g-Force RIVAL features a renovated design that improves handling and steering response precision, including when mounted on light compact vehicles. The tread pattern, which remains unchanged, provides increased traction on dry and wet surfaces and accelerates heating, but despite this, the tires received a 200 rating on the UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grade) wear rating system.
The asymmetrical design includes large blocks in the outer shoulder area for improved maneuverability. In addition, the tire tread “extends” to the sidewalls (a solution BF Goodrich calls Extreme Tread Edge (ETE)) for more predictable behavior and maximum grip when cornering. The slope of the groove walls has been optimized to enhance traction and slow down wear, and the chamfered block edges improve road contact during braking and cornering. Reinforced Performance Racing Core reduces tire deflection, while stiffer sidewall inserts provide a faster, more precise steering response.
The g-Force RIVAL BFGoodrich tires have excellent handling and cornering response, which is not the case with the previous representatives of this line. The manufacturer decided to create a new version of the Extreme Performance group, calling it BF Goodrich g-Force RIVAL 1.5. The novelty is an updated design that provides improved handling, responds well to steering turns, even on compact cars which are very lightweight.
The tread pattern is the same, it guarantees excellent grip on any surface in difficult situations. The tread has an asymmetric pattern, large blocks on the shoulders increase the maneuverability of the car.
Strengthening the Performance Racing Core construction reduces tire deformation. High precision and quick response to steering turns are provided by rigid inserts in the side zone. In the new version, there is no designation 1.5 on the side walls. You can find it out by marking the speed index. All BF Goodrich g-Force RIVAL tires have a speed index W. On the new BFGoodrich g-Force RIVAL 1.5, the speed index is marked with the letter V. The new version is available in eight sizes from 205/50 R15 to 245/40 R18.
Pros of g-Force RIVAL rubber
- This tire provides maximum grip
- Faster warm-up than other models
- Semi competition tires for SCCA Solo / Pro Solo
- The standard limited warranty provided by the manufacturer is up to 6 years
- The tires have been created using modern technology from quality materials. The high-quality tread pattern ensures precise contact of the tire with the road and optimal ride on the road
- The improved design reduces the risk of tire and tread damage
- The side grips provide steering response when cornering
- It has a very impressive longitudinal and lateral grip on dry surfaces
The only disadvantage that someone might come across while using this model is the relatively poor grip on wet surfaces.
An updated compound for faster warming up allowing for improved traction, improving handling on a wet section of the road. Test runs were conducted at Lincoln Air Park on the 2014 Tire Rack Solo Nationals West with drivers from the SCCA National Championship and at the Michelin Laurens (LPG) Black Lake Proving Grounds. The shaped tread depth was 7.2 / 32 inches. Some of the most popular g-Force RIVAL sizes are rubber diameters ranging from 15" and up to 19". G-Force RIVAL tires have a tread pattern with three (10 inches or less) or four ribs (10 inches and more) depending on the profile width. Category exclusive All Rival models are designed, engineered, and manufactured in the USA.
The main need for the correct use of rubber is temporary inflation of tires to the desired pressure and temperature monitoring. Failure to comply with the pressure and large overloads of the machine leads to disastrous situations, such as accidents, fatal injuries, and possible wheel breakages. The rubber should only be installed by licensed technicians. It is forbidden to install rubber on a disc with a larger diameter.
The new BF Goodrich g-Force RIVAL 1.5 immediately raised the bar to the next level, delivering full second better lap times than the previous model. The novelty has about the same behavior on the track, but the grip has been significantly improved. Thanks to this, the tires allow for sharper braking, faster apex, and earlier acceleration out of the corner. At the same time, unlike the previous model, the new tires practically do not want to inform the driver about what is happening at all, and this is reflected in the unimportant time of the first, uncertain lap. Bridgestone offers much more intuitive handling.
Although the grip level is generally very high, the information content is not good enough to predict when the tires will lose grip. So, to get fast in laps, you need to get used to these tires - as, for example, in the case of the previous generation Toyo R1R. Perhaps this factor also accelerates wear somewhat, since it turns out that drivers are accelerating and braking too sharply.
The electronics revealed a big difference in grip when entering and exiting corners. Negative acceleration was an impressive 10.5g, which is 10% higher than the Bridgestone, which still allows for early acceleration out of the corner. While BF Goodrich's braking performance can give an advantage on the high-speed line by “lengthening” the straight line, Bridgestone compensates for this by moving out of the bend at a higher speed into that section. All in all, Bridgestone will have the upper hand.
Dry track results
To get another opinion, we gave two of the best tires to test rider David Whitener, who tested them on a much heavier car, a modified 2002 Honda Civic Si. Unlike the Miata or CRX, this car has a less efficient suspension and open differential and weighs over 2800 lbs. Tests were conducted at the MotorSport Ranch in Cresson, Texas.
Verdict
This tire model provides excellent dry handling while offering many more opportunities for track and autocross enthusiasts. Our opinion - you should get it!