Select Your Tire Size on Tirerack
The g-Force R1 S (S for Sprint) radial is BFGoodrich’s Racetrack & Autocross Only special-use DOT-legal racing tire developed for the drivers of prepared vehicles looking to run their quickest times in autocross, sprint race and time attack events. Offering more ultimate dry grip, g-Force R1 S tires come up to temperature quicker and provide more grip in cooler ambient temperatures on tracks that are easier on tires (compared to the standard g-Force R1). However, the g-Force R1 S will wear quicker than the standard g-Force R1 tires and are not as well suited for extremely hot days.
While g-Force R1 S radials meet DOT requirements, they are not appropriate for highway use. g-Force R1 S 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 S 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 S use an enhanced 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 provide slick-like performance. While the tires require minimal scuffing, heat cycling is recommended to further enhance consistency and wear.
The tread compound warms up quickly to provide predictable grip that is forgiving and easy to drive at the limit. Featuring a symmetric, semi-slick tread design allows the g-Force R1 S 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 S cannot be mixed with g-Force R1 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.
This is my fourth set of these tires being used on a fully prepared race car @ 2800lbs with driver and full tank. I’ve tried Hoosiers and these come in a lot quicker and last longer. After several days last year I added camber to the rear of my car and I’m now at -4.2 front / -3.8 rear. Tire pressure hot at 39psi. Running at Clubmotorsports is easy on tires with no accumulation of rubber and these tires are wearing perfectly with temps across all tires within 5 degrees in to out. Even after 25+ heat cycles they continue to deliver amazing grip. Running with evenly matched cars that are on brand new tires I was able to post equally fast lap times. Even though I run the softer R1S compound they have yet to go out on even the hottest days. These are my default tires and will remain so until something better comes along.
As an SCCA road racer, I’m constantly amazed by the R1-S. The tire offers excellent traction/performance and comes up to temp quickly (usually by the end of the pace lap). While I’d hesitate to use it on 100+ degree days, it seems to work well in conditions just under the hottest summer days. SCCA has saddled the Z-car with plenty of weight, but the R1-S seems to take it all in stride. I still like to run a heat cycle on them to stabilize the compound, but even a brief cooling off period seems to suffice. Holds air well, so no flats in the trailer from a leaky sidewall.
I am attending Time Attack series with this tyre. Horrible in wet, no traction at all. But, excellent in dry conditions. Looks like that it can beat Hoosier in dry track.
As a SCCA racer who competes in door-to-door competition with my Nissan Z, the BFGoodrich R1S offers several advantages. The latest compond developments in late 2013 seem to make the R1S more stable and long lasting throughout a race. It also comes up to temperature faster and allows flat-out laps at the start of each race.
Beware the sizing of these tires! BFG must figure they’re helping competitors by stamping a “285” on the side of a legitimate 315 width tire. These were so wide that they wouldn’t fit on my car, which usually runs on V710 285/30R18’s. They are at least a 1/2″ wider than the V710’s, rubbing on my coilover springs and poking out beyond my rolled fenders. Being way bigger than the advertised size didn’t help me at all. Wish I could return them and get V710’s…
Great tire for it’s purposes (autocross). Terrible in wet, poor traction until warmed up. Wears very fast. These are made for a specific purpose. They simply aren’t practical for use in Alaska except on very rare occasions.
I’ve run four sets of these tires, and average maybe 500 miles per set. They come to temperature quickly and have excellent grip. Falloff is slow, tapered, and predictable. In terms of durability, they significantly out perform the Hoosiers I was running previously, and the grip is comparable overall, with the Hoosiers perhaps having a slight advantage in the first thermal cycle or two. These tires have become my standard, and I don’t anticipate switching brands any time soon. However, there is one caveat. These tires run wide compared to others. With my previous Hoosiers and Continentals, I was able to run 275/35/18 without any issues. With these BFGs, I must run 265/35/18 with a 3 mm spacer on the front hubs. This isn’t a problem, provided one knows it ahead of time.
I race with NASA in GTS2 in an E36 M3. I used to run 245/40/17 BFG R1 but for the last year I’ve run 285/30/18 R1S tires. The grip is like nothing I’ve ever felt. My data shows I hit 1.88G last week at Watkins Glen, and consistently hit over 1.75G on most turns there. Corner speed is insane. I drove right around a Super Trofeo Lamborghini in turn 3 at VIR once on these tires, and can go over 100mph min speed in South Bend. I’ve run them to 20+ heat cycles and still been fast. The sweet spot is 1-5 HC. 5-10 HC still very fast. I’d still race on them at 15HC if I hadn’t abused them. At 20+ HC you are at least 1 second off the pace of new. Would highly recommend these tires for racing or track days if you like to just spend money. 🙂
The V710 is outdated, over 10year old tire tech. The R1S hands down offers the most grip over the longest time compared to any other R-compound tire. The A6 has higher initial grip, but overheats easily. The R6 wears like iron, but doesn’t have the grip to keep up. If you’re looking for a competitive race tire, the R1S is it. If you want a track day tire, the R1 is it. No questions, hands down.