For BFG, maintaining a trusted connection with car enthusiasts remains crucial. Skip Barber assists these enthusiasts in improving their skills on the racetrack.
Faith in tires such as the new BFGoodrich g-Force Phenom T/A series can take various shapes. This trust builds up gradually across different eras of driving equipment that motorists become accustomed to using. It's also solidified during high-speed turns where every inch counts on the race track amidst the cacophony of noise surrounding you. Additionally, this confidence is gained once you invest hard-earned money in a fresh tire set that delivers exactly what was promised—without breaking the bank.
With over 150 years of rich history as an iconic American tire brand, BFGoodrich dates back even before the invention of the automobile and boasts many pioneering achievements. However, in recent decades, it has firmly established itself as a manufacturer dedicated specifically to passionate automotive enthusiasts, particularly known for its outstanding off-road performance tires. as with the new All-Terrain T/A K03, which we recently took to Alaska for testing purposes, lauded as world-beating.
Although not as famous as the Baja-iconic All-Terrain T/A series, we have been providing updates on it. BFG's g-Force tires for nearly two decades Like the tire that has been adopted by street racers, weekend autocross enthusiasts, and those who prefer a lowered stance with wide wheels, we got an opportunity to test out BFG’s high-performance summer-focused g-Force Phenom T/A during our participation in a two-day session at the Skip Barber Racing School. This school aids drivers in developing confidence in both themselves and their skills on tracks such as California’s Sonoma Raceway.
How BFG Adds Extra G-Force to Its Latest Phenom
In a typical session packed with standard marketing pitches, the intended audience segments were ( renowned photography artist specializing in tuning culture Larry Chen completed some photo sessions for promoting the tire) and graphs showing how effectively the g-Force Phenom performs and is priced We inquired about the aspect in which the Phenom really stands out the most. The answer: Its capability in wet conditions.
This statement holds true. If you're selecting a high-performance summer tire for your vehicle, be it during heavy rainfall or navigating through corners at speed on a damp circuit, the absolute last thing you'd wish is to experience your performance automobile aquaplaning right into a ditch—or even worse yet. A key feature enhancing traction in the g-Force Phenom tires lies within their dual-compartment layout; this includes an inner section optimized for efficient water drainage and an outer segment meant to enhance direct road surface engagement. Consequently, according to BFGoodrich, these tires provide superior stopping power under wet conditions compared to rivals like the Yokohama ADVAN Apex V601—which stands as a primary competitor—and also surpasses the previous model, the g-Force Sport Comp 2.
Absolutely, the g-Force Phenom performs impressively on a racetrack, as we discovered. However, the team from BFG emphasized that although it boasts sturdy sidewalls and substantial shoulder blocks designed for excelling on twisty circuits such as Sonoma, it isn’t strictly a race tire akin to their Rival S or upcoming Rival + series. Therefore, ensuring balanced wear across various driving conditions was crucial during development. We were quite surprised by the intricate process involved in crafting a tire like the g-Force Phenom—incorporating over 200 different types of rubber along with generous amounts of silica—to maintain consistent and gradual wear patterns throughout its lifecycle.
Cruising Through Sonoma With Skip Barber and the g-Force Wonder
A long-standing trust has developed through numerous collaborations between BFGoodrich and different versions of Skip Barber Motorsports spanning over twenty years. Last year, they further solidified their bond as partners within theSkip Barber Racing School alongsideBFG. This collaboration provided an immensely advantageous chance to receive invaluable training over two days led by instructors from Skip Barber at Sonoma—training which comes highly recommended should one aspire to enhance their skills in high-performance driving. Simultaneously, this experience allowed them to assess how well the g-Force Phenom performs when subjected to demanding conditions.
The weather was rainy in Sonoma throughout our two-day stay, but this didn't turn out to be an issue considering the claimed superior wet grip of the g-Force Phenom. During a waterlogged slalom test, we had the chance to experience how well the Phenom managed its handling limits against a competitor's tire—Brand X. The BFG product demonstrated better staying power and felt more manageable as soon as the rear wheels of the tested Ford Mustang four-cylinder model started slipping.
In addition to assessing the BFG tires, the Skip Barber team assisted us in enhancing our car control through various drills aimed at mastering the technique of regaining control when the vehicle begins to slide. This was partly due to a component called a Drift Ring, which is specifically used for inducing controlled drifting; fitting one on the right rear tire of a Nissan Altima achieves just that effect.
The primary attraction involved racing in Skip Barber’s specially prepared Mustang GTs from 2005 to 2010. These cars boasted 325 horsepower and 350 lb-ft torque V-8 engines coupled with Tremec six-speed manual transmissions. They featured minimalist interiors complete with roll cages and race seats, enhanced braking systems, and, naturally, g-force Phenom tires throughout.
Sonoma is a premier circuit featuring large, steeply banked turns that climb uphill, an intricate series of fast Esses, a technical slow-speed chicane, and a demanding Carousel section. This variety makes for an excellent challenge to assess the Phenom’s capabilities in wet conditions regarding both stopping power and cornering performance. During our initial session, which took place under quite rainy circumstances, we were generally cautious except at one particularly slippery area. Overall, however, the tires behaved precisely as anticipated.
As everything dried out over the following day, we put in maximum effort based on what we were capable of, and discovered that the g-Force Phenoms provided us with added assurance to increase our velocity, tackle turns more aggressively, and apply braking later. While it's challenging to quantify precisely how significant the contribution from these tires was, we felt confident saying they played their role exceptionally well.
Next up was a scorching lap with one of the instructors. Wow (thank you, Brian, incredible lap indeed!). Seated beside him from the passenger side, we would say these Phenoms can tackle whatever a skilled driver throws their way—admittedly, this assessment is based on the Mustang models available during our session.
In the end, when dealing with tires—especially those designed for performance—the level of confidence you place in them directly influences how assured and at ease both you and your vehicle feel during use. BFGoodrich maintains that all its tire developments cater specifically to passionate drivers without exception. After spending some limited time testing out the capabilities of the g-Force Phenom tires, we would argue that placing your trust in these tires doesn't require an enormous act of belief.
Photography by Chris Gill/Westbound Photography
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