As part of the continuing arc of development for the SEBECO NP01 prototype, NASA and Hoosier are excited to announce the release of the new spec tire for the NP01 class. Dubbed the Hoosier NP01X, it is truly a next-generation tire further developed specifically for use on the NASA Prototype.
The new tire features construction optimized for the NP01. NASA and Hoosier tested multiple variants of the tire in varying stiffnesses and construction before settling on the NP01X, which is more compliant and forgiving, and is ultimately faster.
“The wear should be about the same as people have come to enjoy from the existing tire, but overall it’s just a better tire,” said NASA CEO Jeremy Croiset. “It’s faster. It’s easier to drive on. It’s got more lateral grip, more grip under braking, and the construction of the tire has been optimized for the NP01 platform, which is what produced all of these benefits.”
Pricing should be in line with that of the current tire, which will be available by the end of October 2024 for immediate use and in the 2025 season. Contingency program details will be forthcoming in time for the 2025 racing season.
Those are photos from 4 years ago. Who was part of the NP01 tires test? No one was invited, or knew about it. Did they even really test them?