Help: I need to choose tires for autocross soon.

[gulfcat]

I just found out that the tires that looked OK before my last run last weekend aren't any good. I've changed classes (GSL to SML) because of finished suspension & brake work, planned cold air intake, planned exhaust & planned carbon fiber hood. I was running on Falken Azenis, and liked them, but I don't know if there's something better for my changes. The names people in my club rattle off are Hoosier, Kumho, Hankook.

Please help with suggestions & info, asap.

Thanks very much,
Marge

[jaged]

both sonza and i run on kuhmo V710's

i love them they grip like theres no tomorrow. I even ran an event on them in the rain last year and bblew everyone else away. the down side to them is that they are slicks and you need to change them when you get to the track. sonza can tell you more about some street/race tires.

[gulfcat]

When I first thought I had only a day to get new tires, I pm'd sonza because he was online, and he gave me the following good info:

In SM, I'd definately recommend an R compound.

The Kumho Ecsta V710 is still considered the tire to have, unfortunantly the only size that will fit the Cougar is 225/50/16 which may or may not be a problem for you. The Hoosier A3S06 is supposed to be nearly as fast, but much more expensive. Both of these are near slicks and only good in the dry or damp conditions.

EricF and tnkgurl run the Kumho Victoracer and seem to be happy with them, and I liked the set of Kumho Ecsta V700 that I ran a couple years ago. Both of these have tread and are a little cheaper than the V710, but they aren't as fast. I would recommend shaving the Ecsta V700s if you go that route since they wear quickly at full depth. I'm not sure on whether Victoracers need to be shaved or not.

I ran a set of Ecsta V710s on stock wheels (as does jaged) last year and will be using them again for this season.

And, now I reveal my abysmal ignorance: How do I shave a tire?

[mond12345]

IDK where you plan to buy the tires from but i know tirerack and I'm pretty sure discounttiredirect both shave tires down for a small fee.

[Joemm]

Per some good tire test reviews, the quickest consistant AutoCross times are:

GRASSROOTS MOTORSPORTS
R compound[/u][/b][/b][/u]= (1) Kuhmo Ecsta V710/$140 ea., (2) Hoosier A3505/$180 ea., (3) Hankook Z214-C70/$149 ea. (seeing a pattern here?)

Street Compound:[/u] (1) Falken Azenis RT-615/$155 ea., (2) Falken Azenis RT-215/$105 ea. on close out, (3) Yokohama Advan Neova/$210 ea.

CAR & DRIVER
Street Compound (Dry Conditions):[/u] (1) Yokohama Advan Neova AD07/$175 ea., (2) BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KD/$170 ea., (3) Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212/$100 ea.

Street Compound (Wet)[/u]: (1) Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 / $145 ea., (2) Continental ContisportContact2 / $146 ea., Bridgestone Potenza REO50A / $180 ea.

[MrFroge]

I run Kumho VictoRacer V700 tires on the front, 225/45ZR/R17 heat cycled and shaved. AND SO2 Bridgestone 225/45/R17 on the rear.. This setup has been like the Cougar is running on rails.

This combo was selected to be used on dry or damp tracks.. I haven't run on a wet track with them.. I have different tires if cought out in the rain.. Bridgestone SO3 rear tires (225/40/18) and BF Goodrich g-force T/A KD (215/40/18) fronts (my daily driver tires)..

[GrandMasterKhan]

you drove my cougar with the Kumho v700 Ecsta's.

I'll likey stick with the V700s as my tires since I enjoy using them on the street/backroads when I go to US129 (tail of the dragon)

[gulfcat]

Here's the reason I quit panicing about tires - rims & tires were loaned to me for our "fun day", so I figured I was "sponsored"!
(Notice the yellow sticker added to my SCCA National Tour collection.)


I still need to get tires by our next event, May 6 & 7, but that will be MUCH easier.