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The g-Force R1 radial is BFGoodrich’s Racetrack & Autocross Only special-use DOT-legal racing tire developed for prepared vehicles looking for road race and endurance race performance, as well as track-day drivers seeking predictable grip that is comfortable to drive at the limit lap after lap. While taking longer to come up to temperature, the g-Force R1 offers enduring dry grip and extended wear in hotter ambient temperatures on tracks that are hard on tires (compared to the g-Force R1-S). However, the g-Force R1 will not offer the ultimate grip of g-Force R1-S tires nor is it as well suited for cool days.
While g-Force R1 radials meet DOT requirements, they are not appropriate for highway use. g-Force R1 radials are not recommended for driving in wet conditions where standing water is present and there is the risk of hydroplaning; drivers should drive cautiously at reduced speeds if they encounter these conditions. And like all Racetrack & Autocross Only tires, g-Force R1 radials are not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice. It’s also essential these tires be stored indoors at temperatures maintained above 32 degrees F.
The g-Force R1 uses a competition tread compound molded into a symmetric, non-directional, semi-slick tread design with just 4/32″ of beginning tread depth eliminating the need for shaving. Rubber bridges are molded repeatedly across the two DOT-required circumferential grooves to promote even wear and further the tire’s slick-like performance. While the tires require minimal scuffing, heat cycling is recommended to further enhance consistency and wear.
The tread compound warms up to provide predictable grip that is forgiving and easy to drive at the limit. The symmetric, semi-slick tread design allows the g-Force R1 to rotate in different directions and be used at different vehicle wheel positions to maximize treadlife. The tire’s internal structure includes twin steel belts reinforced by a spirally wrapped polyamide cord on top of a two-ply nylon cord casing.
The g-Force R1 cannot be mixed with g-Force R1-S tires on a vehicle.
Founder at Tiresout. Used to be working as an engineer at Bridgestone Tires Akron Technical Center. The responsibilities included but were not limited to technical computing, indoor & outdoor testing of new tires.
I ran the BFG R1 for a few hundred track sessions on an ex-Grand Am winning race car with an extremely stiff suspension and major front and rear aerodynamic add-ons. I found it to be a consistent tire, one that was fully up to temp after a lap or two (depending upon the track), and one that was good for eight heat cycles on that car. After eight HCs, the rear lost significant grip in high-speed, hard-braking zones, where the car was producing 3-400# of front / rear downforce. Anyone moving to a DOT-R compound tire should find the BFG R1 well worth testing.
I’ve driven on these tires a lot and found it to be a love/hate relationship. I found they take a very long time to heat up, and on a long track with several long straights unless it was very warm out they never seemed to hit ideal operating temps unless I over drove them for a few laps. Hoosier R6 and Hankook Z214 on the same long track run during similar ambient temps (or even colder) would take no time to feel like they were in their ideal temps. I found when it was cold out if it was a sprint race I would basically have to drive like an idiot and try to overheat the tires. I do live somewhat far north and usually race in temps of 30c or less so maybe people racing in the deep south won’t run into this problem? For me though, I found it a terrible tire up here to race in sprint races or qualifying unless you plan to only use your last lap or 2 as your hot lap and don’t mind having a huge difference between your lap times in the first half of your race vs the last half. What I loved about this tire was how long it lasts, its consistency once it does heat up, and how much you can abuse it. IMO this is a perfect rcomp to use for endurance racing, and where a hoosier r6 was down to cords in about 3.5 hours in a 1000km enduro (we have a local track that wears tires out faster then normal) we threw some BFG R1’s on next and the R1 lasted more than double that, and we didn’t even heat cycle the R1’s like we should have. I also found once this tire is at proper operating temps it seems to put down faster lap times than the hankook z214s by about .5 seconds per minute. I’m unsure where it stacks up against the hoosier though; gut feeling is the hoosier is faster, but even driving it on the same day conditions changed too much over the course of that day to be an accurate comparison (fastest lap times were on the hoosiers). so on a hot day/in a long enduro, i love this tire, but for sprint races I have a big list of other tires i’d prefer to be driving on.
After two track weekends I am reasonably happy with the performance. I did have one unexpected snap spin in an early session but other than that they seem fairly predictable. I’m guessing that the spin was initiated by something else though I’m not sure what. I expected a little less overall grip and a bit better life and so far that is my impression. I would consider getting these again.
From being sideways all last year on Toyo Proxes 888, I took Top Time of the Day my first event this season on these tires. They make a world of difference in auto-x.
great track tire. very predictable. takes some time to warm up, 2 laps or so.
A great track compound with excellent steering response. Acceptable autocross tire with durability. Great overall. If were to autocross only confident R 1S would be a winner.