anyone tried and/or currently using these tires in competition? what do you think of them? are they worth the price? what other tires are comparable to them performance wise?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pos_cd5 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">anyone tried and/or currently using these tires in competition? what do you think of them?</TD></TR></TABLE>

They are an excellent street tire, VERY sticky on dry pavement. The big downside is that, in North America, they are available in virtually no small sizes for our cars, so you might not find anyone on this board using them. (But I could be wrong - speak up, anyone who is.)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pos_cd5 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what other tires are comparable to them performance wise?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Because of their nature - designed to emphasize ultimate dry performance, without worrying much about wet performance or treadlife - they are similar to the BFG g-Force T/A KD and the Falken Azenis RT-615.

For competition use, though, I would think you're better off using R compounds, if they're available in your size and if they're permitted in the series you're competing in.

 

I'm still breaking in a set I just had put on my daily driver ('02 MB C230).

So far, so good - handling is going to be better than the PS2s I replaced them for, I'm guessing at this point.

Have only done one autox with the Benz previously, and don't think I'll be doing that again - idiot-proof electronics cut in too easily, even when turned off.

For the money, I'm sure there are many better comp tires out there.

 

Smallest size they carry here in the US is in 16". I just got a set of 195/55 15 install on my hatch not to long ago. Since I now longer daily drive my hatch i can't really comment too much on it. But as far as i can tell these tire perform extremely well on dry.

I know these tire came standard O.E on the lotus elise base model. Couple of guys autox with them. Ask around the lotus forum.

If you are interesting in the size 195/55 15" jdmland.com aka icbmotorsports.com has them. Btw, they're not DOT approve.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kaiba &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Smallest size they carry here in the US is in 16".</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, and the only 16" size available (from Yokohama dealers) is 175/55-16, which none of us would be likely to use. Even in 17" sizes, they don't have sizes like 205/40-17 or 215/40-17 that would fit our cars.

As you note, a few places import other sizes from other markets where they are available. In addition to the lack of DOT approval (which makes them street legal), I assume that such tires would not come with warranty coverage by Yokohama's North American dealers.