I'm building my SE-R for STS and light track duty (HPDE). In the meantime I've considered running my Fit Sport in H Stock. Both cars can use 195/55 or 205/15/15 tires on stock wheels.

1) I used to own a '00 ITR so I know the Bridgestone Potenzas RE10s are quite good. However, Tirerack has them on sale for $78 each (195/55). Are these a viable option for STS? Keep in mind I've always thought Azenis were the tire of choice.

2) Avon Tech RA (R comps) are on sale at the Tirerack as well. $119 each for 205/50. Are these tires worth my time to have some fun in H Stock (for the Fit) and later mount up to the SE-R for some track days? Prior to this I had considered Kumho V710s or possibly Toyo RA1s. I don't have any national aspirations with either car, but I wouldn't mind getting close to FTD or FTD PAX for bragging rights.

Thanks.

 

Hi Todd,

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Yellow Dragon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've considered running my Fit Sport in H Stock. Both cars can use 195/55 or 205/15/15 tires on stock wheels.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Calling the Typo Patrol...

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Yellow Dragon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1) I used to own a '00 ITR so I know the Bridgestone Potenzas RE10s are quite good. However, Tirerack has them on sale for $78 each (195/55). Are these a viable option for STS? Keep in mind I've always thought Azenis were the tire of choice.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It depends on what you mean by "viable". The RE010 is a very good tire. For autocross and track use, the Azenis is better, as long as the pavement is dry.

Also, do I remember hearing somewhere that the STS series has a requirement of a treadwear rating of 200 or higher? The rating on the RE010 is 140. Even though they last about 50 percent longer than the Azenis, which has a rating of 200.

Does that help?

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Yellow Dragon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">2) Avon Tech RA (R comps) are on sale at the Tirerack as well. $119 each for 205/50. Are these tires worth my time to have some fun in H Stock (for the Fit) and later mount up to the SE-R for some track days? Prior to this I had considered Kumho V710s or possibly Toyo RA1s.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've talked with some folks at the track using these tires, and they like them.

At this point in time I really don't know which R compound tires are better than which other R compound tires. There are so many on the market now (ten or so) and all are pretty darn good. I have yet to hear anyone say that one R comp is substantially better than all the others. Except maybe Hoosiers. But cost is a factor too. All in all, I think the days when using one R comp vs another made a huge difference are behind us. Pick one and try it out. If you don't like it, they'll wear out soon enough. I'm not trying to be flippant, but I think they really are all very good, and you talk with folks using them, and they all like them, whether you're talking about the RA-1, V710, Tech RA, A048, A6/R6, Z211/Z214, Pilot Sport Cup, PZero Corsa, yadda yadda yadda...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
It depends on what you mean by "viable". The RE010 is a very good tire. For autocross and track use, the Azenis is better, as long as the pavement is dry.

Also, do I remember hearing somewhere that the STS series has a requirement of a treadwear rating of 200 or higher? The rating on the RE010 is 140. Even though they last about 50 percent longer than the Azenis, which has a rating of 200.

Does that help? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes that does help. The minimum treadwear rating for Street Touring is 140 so the RE10 is a go. Why they last longer than Azenis I'll never know. I've had Azenis in the past and my old STX WRX had no problem winning locally despite not having any other mods. I think Azenis might be the way to go. I just thought it would be worth talking about.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've talked with some folks at the track using these tires, and they like them.

At this point in time I really don't know which R compound tires are better than which other R compound tires. There are so many on the market now (ten or so) and all are pretty darn good. I have yet to hear anyone say that one R comp is substantially better than all the others. Except maybe Hoosiers. But cost is a factor too. All in all, I think the days when using one R comp vs another made a huge difference are behind us. Pick one and try it out. If you don't like it, they'll wear out soon enough. I'm not trying to be flippant, but I think they really are all very good, and you talk with folks using them, and they all like them, whether you're talking about the RA-1, V710, Tech RA, A048, A6/R6, Z211/Z214, Pilot Sport Cup, PZero Corsa, yadda yadda yadda...
</TD></TR></TABLE>

At $119 a corner I don't think I can go wrong. Should be fun. I'll keep you guys posted once the season starts. First event in KC is in mid March so I'm in no hurry.

 

yep, azenis remain the best bang for your buck.

 

I have only heard problems with the Avon Tech RA from the Subaru crowd and that usually has to do with limited camber. As long as you can dial in some good negative camber you should be fine. Also, that problem applies to pretty much any R-compund, so it isn't that big a deal.

Jon

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Yellow Dragon &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The minimum treadwear rating for Street Touring is 140 so the RE10 is a go. Why they last longer than Azenis I'll never know. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I think Falken has an unrealistically high treadwear rating (200) on the Azenis. I know that treadwear rating isn't always accurate, especially when comparing between brands, but given the treadlife on the Azenis - most folks get 10-12K miles to a set - that treadlife would typically result in a treadwear rating of 100 when compared to most other tires. I'm pretty sure there are some series that require 200 treadwear, and I suspect this is the reason Falken gives the Azenis an overoptimistic treadwear rating.

As for why the RE010 lasts longer than the Azenis (aside from the treadwear ratings), the Azenis has a softer compound and comes with 25 percent less usable tread depth when new (8/32" vs 10/32" total tread depth).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think Falken has an unrealistically high treadwear rating (200) on the Azenis.</TD></TR></TABLE>

perhaps a conscious move?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mike C &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">perhaps a conscious move?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, that's what I meant when I said, "I suspect this is the reason Falken gives the Azenis an overoptimistic treadwear rating."

Apparently, tire manufacturers have some latitude in assigning treadwear ratings. Just like when Toyo changed the treadwear rating of their RA-1 from 60 to 100 a few years ago, without making any changes in the tire itself.

&lt; shrug &gt;

 

i read selectively