I am getting my 1980 RX7 ready to run in some EMRA events later this year or next year and am looking to put new shoes on the lady - I am looking at either getting

205/60-13 Sumitomo HTR200s

or

195/60-14 Falken 615 / Hankook Rs2

I have a set of the 14" snowflake rims to put the Falkens / Hankooks on.

Would the Sumitomos be suitable for Time Trials or should I look more towards the Falkens or Hankooks?

I am looking at racing in the ST4 Class (in autocross I believe the car would be in the CSP Class)

Thanks!

Keith

 

The Falkens will be faster than the Hankooks, untill they overheat at least, which is inevitable on a road course or something similiar. The Azenis are the best treet tires for autocross, as proven by GRM in a test. The Hankooks are nearly as good. They didn't test the Sumitomo's, but they're probably not nearly as good (especially since the wear rating is nearly double).

 

I'm using the 205/60/13 Sumitomos for Autox right now. They do ok, but are wearing out pretty fast...

 

Do you think that they would chunk up in HPDE or Time Trial events? I like the price compared with the Falkens or Hankooks and have a full set of 13" rims waiting for rubber that I could use. If they are wearing evenly in auto-x...hmmmmm.

 

I have not experienced any chunking of the tires. Only some "feathering" of the outer edges that had the guys at Sears scratching their heads (there for alignment check). Idiots told me I had defective tires and that they wouldn't drive on them, offered to sell me a set of something else they had on hand. Some people just don't get it. lol.

 

I have the RT615 in 255-40-17 on my FD but wont have any track time till the winter. I am expecting good things!

 

I'm going to go with the Hankooks for the track and I'll let people know how this goes - have to wait until next season

I'm also going to pick up a set of the Sumitomo's for running around the cones, or if I happen to find some extra dinero, some Falkens.

Thanks for all the suggests and help - both on and off the thread

Live Free, Drive Rotary

Keith

 

the sumi are my road tires, buy some cheap diamond racing wheels, and get TOYO RA1s, or the 710s, they are increadable

but my sumis flared out after a night of drifting, they get hot and the edges flare up, i still drive on them, and there ok

 

I second what Gilgamesh says.

In order of sticky tire:
Kumho 710
Hoosier R3S06
Toyo RA1 or Michelin Pilot Sport Cup

Get a set of dedicated tires for the track if you want to be competitive. Street tires will simply get greasy after a few laps and the car will be all over the place.

 

I used both the Sumitomo and Falken.... The Sumitomo is solid tires but it is not as good compare to the Falken... The Falken has a much stiffer sidewall and more grip... But if you are looking for durability then the Sumitomo would be good... They last much longer than the Falken

 

Thanks for all the advice - I have over the summer and fall and winter to mull over this decision - maybe hit up some autocrosses late if I can find them and see how the car reacts. I'll let everyone know what I find.

Cheers!

Keith

 

Personally.... I would pick the Falken if you going to do auto-x in street tires... The Sumitomo is just not grippy or stiff enough for auto-x action

 

I am looking to do mostly Time Trials on road courses where the heat build up will be an issue so that is why I am probably going to go with the Hankooks - there was good feedback from a 944 driver over on GRM about their ability to hold up to a track session.

I'll definately let everyone know how this goes.

 

I know a guy who ran the Hankooks at a 2 day hpde this spring and he loved em....minimal wear. I run the Hankooks for autox; they do well, but I am gonna try spraying them next time. They are great on the street too.

 

In SCCA Time Trials practice sessions, you get several minutes of track action. In actual timed runs, you only get 3 laps, and at least half of the 1st lap is warm up. The Hankooks should hold up for that long.

 

+1 on the Hankooks here. I like to drive in the rain.

 

The new Azenis are better in the rain than the old ones. My dad's got a set of 615's and he says they're fine in the rain, through puddles, etc.