REAmemiya_fan

Since there is a lack of discussion-type threads that help us to understand what is the best choices for everyone's needs, we get dozens of new threads a day all asking essentially the same questions that have been asked before. I'm going to try to sort of help "clean and organize" the forum a little bit here in the 2nd gen genreal discussion area.

So this first one goes out to the most important connection between our vehicles to the road: tires. Since I am going to be doing my first year of autocross this season, I want to hear what everyone has to offer about what tires have been both successful and pitiful in terms of what you expected. Don't worry about what I will need specifically, instead concentrate on talking about what has worked for you guys. Make this more of a positive review thread more than a "this tire sucked as much as my last girlfriend did." nobody cares about what tire sucked. We want to know what worked best for you.

These tires should have great performance, good treadwear, and decent price. Don't worry about winter performance, winter tires will be used during the cold months. That could be a different thread during the appropriate time.

Thanks for any of those who participate.

Brigdh

iTrader: (9)

For the Road Tire and Street Touring classes, the Hankook RS-3 is the best I've ever used.

Yokahama S.Drives seem to do well when I don't feel like changing tires during winter events.

Goodyear Eagle RS (AC compound) and Hoosier A6s seem to be neck and neck in the DOT R-compounds. I haven't had the chance to try the Goodyears.

If you can use true slicks, the Nationals Champs in my region swear by Avons.

ImpartialMouse

iTrader: (2)

I got some Hankook Ventus RS-3 for the rear of my car and so far they have been great. Much better than I imagined, because they are fairly cheap compared to other brands.

I'm still unsure on the treadwear.

They grip better than any other tire I have ever driven on, and still do well in the rain.

If you got a wide enough wheel (The sizes are kind of limited), then I would recommend them. I really don't have any complaints other than they were really stiff and hard to get stretched onto my wheels.
They are just amazing tires!!

rx7racerca

iTrader: (1)

Agree, for street tire classes, the RS-3s rock, and being reasonably priced is a huge bonus.

Natey

iTrader: (19)

+ 1 more for RS3s for ST class. They're the new Azenis. Cheap, fast and not TOO bad on treadwear.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

for a given size the Hoosiers are about 1" wider in tread width than the hankooks. if you can afford A6's this would be the easy choice.

they are race tires though, so driving on the street even in the dry isn't going to happen.

if you want a streetable tire the R888 toyo is good, and works in the wet even, they give up big grip to the Hoosiers though.

Brigdh

iTrader: (9)

As far as treadwear on the RS3, I ran them for a summer season (just Autox, no street use), so about 14 events, probably average 5 runs per event where FTD was ~50seconds. They lasted me an entire season and probably had about 40% tread left.

REAmemiya_fan

I am kind of liking the NEXEN Radial N2000. In the '60' series profile the trac. is only an A compared to AA of other tires, but with a tread rating of 440, I think this will be a good compromise. I will need the tires to last me all through summer and fall until we start seeing too cold of temps.

My original plan was to run Advan Neova AD08 tires, but since they were only available in a 205/50, the total wheel/tire size was going to be about 1.5" smaller. The only real downside of that is it would look goofey and road comfort would be compromised.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

lmao! 440 tread wear will wear the road out before the tires! on the street its actually more fun, but its going to be useless in any kind of racing.

on my last FC i went from 205/60/15 to 205/50/15 and its the best thing i did to that car, it totally woke it up. if you run the numbers its like running a 4.3 diff. so the car accelerates much better. ride didn't change much if at all. i will grant you are right on the looks, it looked like it had cancer or something.

so anyways the tire you pick will 100% totally depend on if you need the one set of tires to do races AND street driving and for how long.

REAmemiya_fan

Hmmmmm well it looks as though I might be back onto those Advans... I have always had a fanboy attachment to them since they are used so heavily in Japanese time attack racing. I much more appreciate what they do more than any American TA series because the J-Spec TA mandates that you use a street-legal tire rather than full racing slicks. And to me, that brings a lot more respect to the cars and drivers since they are setting times on tires that we could use to run to the store and back.

JerryLH3

iTrader: (11)

Yeah, 440 treadwear is what I use on my DD. Even if you need it to last a while, I'd go with something more grippy than that. You're probably looking at around a timescale of years for something that high.

REAmemiya_fan

Damn. Well I only need it to last maybe 15-20k miles before I make the switch to winter tires, then new tires again for the summer months. I know my parents will have that "what the hell are you doing wasting all that money for?" attitude, but I will be fine with the decent money I make still living at home.

fc3s91

iTrader: (23)

We use Kumho V710's. They tend to last longer than the a6 Hoosier. But the Hoosiers grip better.

Silvertongue62

^^ He's Right^^

The softer the compound, the more grip you get, the faster it wears out.

The harder the compound, the longer the tire last but you have less grip.

It's like a pencil eraser.

But the key is to find that balance for what you do most of the time with the car.

BTW - Brake pads are the same way.

REAmemiya_fan

Well since I am on a budget and racing in ES, Hoosier's and other kinds of 'slick' tires are not in mind :P but for those who do race in classes that allow the use of them, that is good information to have on hand. I know a lot of guys in my region who swear by Hoosier's. I think every Porsche I saw ran them.

Example:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5028219644/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5028219644/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5027619745/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5027619745/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

Although this guy ran Goodyears:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5028217876/http://www.flickr.com/photos/globekidd/5028217876/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/globekidd/, on Flickr

That was probably the most glorious engine I think my ears have ever been graced by...

Sarah7

iTrader: (7)

I was going to buy Falken 912s but here was a buddy's response to whether there'd be anything else better for the price:
"If you drive around a lot (i.e. ~1k miles a month), then not really. You can always get an extra set of rims & slap some Federal 595-RSR's on (or no extra rims if you don't drive around that much), Tim w/ the S2000 won several SK1 events on em against some really tough competition. Of course, he probably just drives really well regardless."

rotary_bünta

iTrader: (3)

Falken ZE-512 are my favs for daily use.

j9fd3s

iTrader: (3)

ah so, what tires are you allowed to run?

REAmemiya_fan

http://www.scca.com/solo/content.cfm?cid=44517
Download and check the pdf, page 74 has the rules on tires. It says any OE tires may be used, but any non-OE tires must not be on the SEB list, but there are no tires on the list. Leading me to believe mayhem any tire can be used?

Zero10

In events here we interpret the rules that way, any tires are allowed in stock classes providing they fit the stock wheels and fit under stock fenders (or is it as long as they are a stock size...?)

nauri9

where I live the hankook rs-3 takes too long to warm up (Eureka, up in north California on the coast). my favorite is the dunlop dirrezza star specs, they have strong grip off the start and only get stronger as they warm up, although they can be overheated easier than the rs-3s. but in autocross that only happened to me once when i got a re-run almost immediately after my run. both tires lasted over a year for me daily driving and autocrossing. this was on my non turbo 87 sport (no sunroof) in STR class 245/40R17 for the star specs and 255/40R17 for the rs-3s, I think the slightly shorter 245/40R17 also helped.

REAmemiya_fan

I've been thinking a bit about the Direzza's myself, but the DZ101's instead of the Star Spec's. Can get them pretty cheap with free shipping from Amazon. I will probably end up picking those up and give you guys a report on them. Seems like it will be a good tire

REAmemiya_fan

I think i'm changing my mind with them, I've been reading more bad reviews than I have good ones. Probably just end up going with the star specs.