Soku1kcivic

Wanted to get your guys input on what tires I should be getting for track events (HPDE). I have been using Falken Azenis RT 615 195/60/14 on my 14x6.5in bbs wheels. The car is a 92 Honda Civic HB. Is there anything else that is a little better than Azenis without going to R compounds, but within price range to the Azenis. By the way these tires will only see track not street. If not ill be buyiing some Azenis again this weekend Thanks.

Tarmac Junkie

I've never run them, but a lot of people I talk to seem to like hankook rs-2's...

liam821

Ive gone through many many sets of hankook rs2s on my s2000 and they're not really any better then the Azenis's. They problem with all those street tires is they get hot and then greasy after about 5 laps.

If you need a set of tires JUST for the track i would step up to some dot road race rubber like the Toyo RA1s, Yokohama ADVAN A048r, Hoosier R6s, something like that.

nsxtasy

Not in 14" sizes. The Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 is the only similar tire available in 14", and it's not as sticky as the Azenis.

The Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec and Bridgestone Potenza RE01R are both better than the Azenis, but are only available in 15" and larger. There are more and more tires in this segment, including the recently-introduced Toyo R1R and Kumho XS - but again, only 15" and larger - and Nitto's upcoming NT05.

If you can get some 15" wheels, all of these tires are available in 15" sizes: 195/50-15, 195/55-15, and/or 205/50-15. (Except the NT05, which initially will only be available in 17" or larger.)

One other possibility is R compounds. I know you said you don't want them, but they're even stickier than the street tire, and it sounds like you have some track experience to take advantage of them. The Hoosier R6 is available in 205/55-14 and 225/50-14, and both sizes are approved for 14x6.5 wheels. Yeah, not cheap at $190-201/tire. But if you're looking for better grip than the Azenis, that's the only way you'll get it unless you're willing to get larger wheels.

Soku1kcivic

Thanks Nsxtasy. The answer I was looking for. Yeah I realized I was pretty limited on the options with 14" wheels using high performance street tires. I think I'll go with the Azenis once more and next time around move up to R compound and 15" wheels. when I have money for them. Thanks again

thawley

Now that NASA/Honda Challenge is officially switching to the Toyo R888, used RA-1s are going to get very affordable...

superd16girl

I was asking the same question you were to a lot of people this fall. And like previously stated I narrowed it down to the Star Spec and the REO1R. I talked my parents into helping assist in the cost of the REO1R's and I picked them up and they look and feel amazing! Definetly a good choice!

clem kevin

I was in the same place. i went with the dunlops based on price. i would wait for the new advan ad08's if you can though.

.:Made in OC:.

Price wise, the next thing up would be Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs, then Kumho XS, Bridgestone RE01-R, Toyo R1R. I currently am running on Toyo R1R's and i love them. I too upgraded from Azenis RT615's and these new R1R's work a lot better. The R1R's are a lot more consistent and dont get oily as quickly as the 615's. The sidewall on the other hand is noticeably weaker then the 615's.

The Destroyer

Ordered my second set of Z1's the other day. Hopefully I can get an sts prepped car before our season starts.

superd16girl

They were my christmas present so I just went for the next step up even though they are pretty much the same.

*Boostwerks*

For those of you running the Hossier R6s, what kind of life are you getting out of em? I'd like to get at least a full season out of them which would be about 10-14 track days.

Downey

Wow that's a lot of days on a set of tires. We usualy get 4 weekends out of a set of shaved 225/45-15 toyo ra1's

JamesL

That is a very optimistic lifespan... especially for Hoosiers. About half that is more realistic. Or has been my experience with Toyos.

nsxtasy

I think that depends on how much track time constitutes a "track day", and how many "track days" constitute a track weekend. I've had some events where I only get 100 actual track miles of track time, and others where I get 300 or more. I even got over 500 actual track miles in one particular event taking place over the course of a three-day weekend. So it makes more sense to measure lifespan by track miles, which aren't affected by how much track time you get on any particular track day or in any particular track event.

I haven't used Hoosiers yet. I'm currently using the Toyo RA-1 and am contemplating switching to either the Toyo R888 or the Nitto NT01. With the RA-1, I am consistently getting 1500-2000 actual track miles (plus another 300-1000 non-track miles driving between the track and the hotel). This is using them starting with full tread, and driving them until the belts show, rotating them between front and rear to even out the wear.

I used to use the Yokohama A032R, and those didn't last as long, typically going 1000-1500 actual track miles (plus 300-600 non-track miles).

The Destroyer

Just got my z1's today. Tire rack has awesome shipping!

Everytime I order from them they always surprise me by a day or two.

Alikat

I currently run the RA01's and absolutely love them. Although, this is the first r compound I've ever tried out. I know Toyo replaced them with the R888's, but I haven't heard great things about them. My last instructor used to run the RA01's on his Lotus and just switched to the R888's. From his experience, he told me the R888's were great in the rain, but that he MUCH preferred the old RA01's on dry pavement.

nsxtasy

Are you sure about that? Most reports I've heard are exactly the reverse - RA-1 better in the rain, R888 better in the dry.

BTW, it's called the Toyo RA-1, not RA01.

BrianZ

thats in H1 trim right?

This last year we had 18 races .. I used 8 tires total and the set I have on the car now have pleanty of life on them

Alikat

No, I'M not sure about that.....but my instructor at the time who's had YEARS and YEARS of experience was the one who told me that.