Ok, so I've been running with street tires at the track days (Sebring) so now I've decided to move onto race rubber. Who's had experience with these tires on track days? I'm debating the following tires and listed them in my order of preference. Any other pros and cons for each?
Kuhmo V710 215/40-16
I use 710s on my Miata for autocross events, but I'm not sure about their track performance. Any heating issues at the track? Will they chunk if they overheat? I usually spray them between runs during autocrossing, but I don't plan to spray them at the track.
Hoosier R3S05 205/45-16
Hoosiers are more expensive and are known to be sticky, but from other people's experience they have shorter lives (autocrossing). How do these fare at the track? I'd like to get around 5 or more track days on a set of tires since I only do 2-3 a year. I'd hate to buy a set and only get 1-2 events out of them before they cord or something.
Toyo Proxies RA-1 225/50-16
I'm sure a lot of folks will recommend these tires, and I know they're good track tires, but I'd like to try a smaller diameter than what Toyo offers. I wish they made these in a 225/45 or 40 size. I think these are priced about the same as the V710s above.
Are these for a Prelude? If so you might look into 15" wheels if you are on the stock brakes. Then you have some better options which are wider and have a smaller diameter.
__________________ David Rierson
Marcucci Motorsports
98 Prelude #53 NASA Honda Challenge
03 Acura RSX
04 Nissan Armada
06 Kawasaki KLX250S
Since these are just for track days, I'd recommend the Toyo or Victoracer. Both will have a longer life than the Hoosier or 710. They are also cheaper, more so the Victoracer than the RA-1.
__________________
Chris @ DeatschWerks (Fuel Nerd)
1991 CRX SiR
1991 Civic Wagon RT4WD
Thanks for the replies. It seems that the V710s might be too focused on autocrossing. I'm using 16 inch Kosei K-1s for the Prelude. Can't afford to get more rims since I already have SSR-Comps for the Miata and need another set of rims for rain tires for that car. I'm already spending too much money on autocrossing.
I just looked up the Yokohama A048 which are offered in 225/45-16 at the Tire Rack. These look pretty good. They're at $187. Anyone have experience with these?
710s would definetely be off my list, especially in FL where it gets pretty hot in the summer, they dont like alot of heat, and get greasy after a few laps. R3S05's or the new R6 would give you the most total lateral adhesion, but 3-4 weekends and they are done. Best bang for the buck is RA-1's IMO, although they are a bit numb at full tread. No personal knowledge on the A048's, but if they are anything like the A032s I would stick with the RA-1.
I only have experience on the V710. They will chunk if they overheat. I've chunked one already. You really have to keep an eye on the tire temp. I don't know how many events you can get out of one set because I used my set primarily for auto-x. I did use them on 3 track events though. The grip level is amazing with the V710. Just for comparison (might not be a good comparison, but what the heck ), in the infield of California Speedway, my best time on street tires was approx. 1:25. My best time on 3-year-old BFG R1s was approx. 1:22. My best time on V710s was 1:17.9.
__________________ 2009 BMW 335i Coupe, Alpine White/Black Dakota, 6MT
2010 Audi S4, Ibis White/Magma Red, 6MT
i track on victoracers, havn't used anything else. I hope to get some hoosiers for my next set just to give them a try. Then i'll probably go back to kumho or try the toyos.
__________________
1999 Premium White Pearl Type SH
There are several people out there using Toyo RA-1's as a street tire. And Im sure they prolly get 2000 miles out of a set (which isnt all that much). The problem though isnt that the tread will wear quickly, its that the tire will run out of heat cycles. In an R Compound tire (and any sticky tire for that matter) the tire only has a certain number of times where it can be brought up to temperature and cooled off before the tire composition changes. You will have plenty of tire left but they wont stick as well because they have gotten hard and greasy.
Using a RA-1 as a dual-purpose street/track tire is a bad idea. They need to be shaved to 4 or 5 32'nds to be a good track tire, which in turn makes them not good for the street. They take more heat cycles than the Hoosiers or Kumhos but will get hard if used as a street tire. An excellent dual-purpose street/track tire is the Azenis 615. I think they perform just as well as a full tread RA-1 on the track and they do much better on the street.
__________________ David Rierson
Marcucci Motorsports
98 Prelude #53 NASA Honda Challenge
03 Acura RSX
04 Nissan Armada
06 Kawasaki KLX250S
I really need to try out those 615s. I ran out of heat cycles on them at about 50% tread depth when i used the 215s as my street/autox tires. And they were nowhere near as grippy as the RA-1s. But then again, these are the 215s not the 615s.
Using a RA-1 as a dual-purpose street/track tire is a bad idea. They need to be shaved to 4 or 5 32'nds to be a good track tire, which in turn makes them not good for the street. They take more heat cycles than the Hoosiers or Kumhos but will get hard if used as a street tire. An excellent dual-purpose street/track tire is the Azenis 615. I think they perform just as well as a full tread RA-1 on the track and they do much better on the street.
Thanks! Where can I get some info on the 615? It's not on Falken's site.
There are several people out there using Toyo RA-1's as a street tire. And Im sure they prolly get 2000 miles out of a set (which isnt all that much). The problem though isnt that the tread will wear quickly, its that the tire will run out of heat cycles. In an R Compound tire (and any sticky tire for that matter) the tire only has a certain number of times where it can be brought up to temperature and cooled off before the tire composition changes. You will have plenty of tire left but they wont stick as well because they have gotten hard and greasy.
Regarding heat cycles, a typical track day runs about six 20-minute sessions for each run group. Does that mean that R-comps would barely last the day, about 100-120 miles???!!!
No. If you have six sessions thats only six heat cycles. Running out of heat cycles before you are out of tread is much more likely when you drive them on the street cause you arent scrubbign old tread off. On a road course you scrub much more tread. Your driving style will determine whether or not the tires will run out of tread before they run out of heat cycles.
Would the 225/50/16 Azenis 615 be OK on a stock rim and would they also fit OK on a 16X7, maybe a 16x8 later? I was thinking about getting a set b/c I've got a spare stock rim set laying around...Thanks.
Well it looks like you have two choices, the 225/50/16 and the 215/45/16. Of those two I would guess the 215/45/16 would give you better lap times because they would effectively lower your gearing which would help your acceleration. They also would make your car a little lower, which will help handling.
__________________ David Rierson
Marcucci Motorsports
98 Prelude #53 NASA Honda Challenge
03 Acura RSX
04 Nissan Armada
06 Kawasaki KLX250S
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
), in the infield of California Speedway, my best time on street tires was approx. 1:25. My best time on 3-year-old BFG R1s was approx. 1:22. My best time on V710s was 1:17.9.
Linear Mode
