I will be buying some race tires for my ITR (MAZ-dah Millenia wheels) very soon. I just wanted to get everyones feedback. I will be using these primarily for the roadcourse (which has a nice polymer coating to increase tires life). Some AutoX, but not much (prices were raised and we have morons running our region).

Please, tell me your experiences with each of the following:

1) Hoosiers
2) Kumho V700's
3) Toyo RA-1's

TIA

 

5648 posts, and you never came accross a "best race tire" thread?

-231, who advises that you keep road racing tires simple/cheap, and that you stick with 205/50/15 Kumho Victoracers.

 

yeah, yeah...I've heard a lot, but I'm always seeking NEW, up-to-date knowledge. The more the better.

 

Heh, I know.

The problem with "new" and "up-to-date" is that it's expensive and sometimes hard to fix/find/replace.

That would be my argument against a 225/205 F/R combo for the track (more expensive, more things to go wrong with spacers). I have similar concerns with the 225/45 V700s (potentially unreliable, more expensive). That would also be my argument against Hoosiers (expensive). I'll admit to having little experience with anything else.

 

Hoosier AS303 F:225/45/15 R:205/50/15. Stickiest tire I've used yet. Stiff sidewall, more grip than anything else I've used. Wear quickly.

I only have experience with the "old" V700s, but I started out with 205/50/15 all around and switched to 225/50/15s in the front. I like the 225/205 setup better than the 205s all around. Grips very well, but heavier than Hoosiers. Lasts longer than Hoosiers.

With that said I'd suggest the following:

Road course use and autox use: 205/50/15 Kumho V700s all around.

Strictly autox use: F:225/50/15 R:205/50/15 Kumho V700s

Want to watch your money wear away after each autox: F:225/45/15 R:205/50/15 Hoosier AS303s

In conclusion, if you go with Kumho V700s in 205 all around, you can use them for dual purposes (autox/track), tires are relatively cheap, rotating tires is possible, and tires will last a decent amount of time. These factors make Kumho V700s the tire of choice for most.

Reid - who expects to be receiving a check from Kumho for this plug... or maybe a free set of tires... or even just one... anything would be nice...

 

Reid, just so we're on the same page...

1) Would the 225's be recommende on Millenia wheels (same width as stock ITR wheels)?

2) We're talking about the OLD style Victoracer Kumho's, correct?

 

Yes.

Yes.

 

I have run both the new 225/45s and the old 225/50s on OEM ITR wheels, with a 5mm H&R spacer (no spacer for the 45s). They should be just as good on the Mazda wheels with the same width. I'm with Reid on this one, though. The 225F setup is best for autocross.

 

OK, I'll throw this in the air then.

the last X I ran, I saw this guy I've seen and talked to times before. Call him an acquaintance, an acquaintance that drives pretty well.

He runs a 13" Hooiser tire/ some kinda crazy 13" rim combo. They are small and wide as sh*t. great grip AND he takes advantage in some of that Final Drive concept at the same time.

For the Road course, I don't see this combo as a big hit, but, playing the Devil's advocate I just thought I'd toss this into the mix.

A.

PS I just recently decided on the A032R's as my dual purpose shoes. I'll probably only get one track event in this year with about 10 "hopefully" autocrosses but, my Hooisers are almost done and I'm just having so much fun this year anyway.

 

One more thing...

Heat cycled? Shaved? Both? Neither?

 

Sorry if it's been asked b4, so would V700 225/45's fit on OEM rims without spacers front and rear?

Lowered Susp.?

Thx.

 

Neither unless you are "racing".

I bought the "new" V700. I am using 225-45 all the way around on 15x7 43mm offset wheels. H&R 5mm spacers and stud kit.

I would suggest 205's on 15x7 wheels.

Good luck

 

Any reason why you don't want to consider the Yokohama A032R as well?

BTW, I believe the "old" Kumho is called the V700 Victoracer and the "new" Kumho is called the Ecsta V700. The Ecsta V700 is supposed to be similar to the A032R (better in the wet, decent tread life for an R compound tire).

 

I would consider the AO32R's as well, but I haven't heard much about them.

 

What planet have you been living on??

Use 205/50-15 until you are a good enough driver to tell the difference.

And to the guy that made the remark about 13" rims - you might want to consider the fact that the brakes still have to be on the car so you can stop. You basically can fit golf cart brakes under 13" rims and that's all.

 

Hey Jonathan:
our golf cart had 'race' pads on it, so the 13" rims may not be such a bad idea

YD:
I ran 225/205 'old' V700s at the last track event. Car felt great w/ this set up. Even EP's mom liked it (yes, that's her driving the 234 )

 

:middlefinger directed at Phat Bastard:

Don't be such a fucken *****. If you're going to be such an *******...don't bother posting in MY fucken thread.

I've been AutoXing for my 3rd year now, won GS 2 yrs in a row, not to mention I've been on the roadcourse about 5 times now.

I just didn't hear as much good about the AO32R's.

 

Chill dude, take a Midol - you seem a little cranky this time of month. You might want to take that middle finger of yours and clean out your vagina as it seems (from your tone of voice) that you are a little plugged up.

you said "I haven't heard much about them".

Tires are <u>constantly</u> being discussed on this board. A032R's have been around for years - and they are widely used in autocross and HPDE. They are a DOT legal R compound tire that is a good intermediate between a full-on slick like a Hoosier and a street tire.

Treadwear rating is 80. Toyo Proxes RA-1s are 40 and a better tire IMO.

You asked for opinions - you are getting what you assed for. Like it or lump it. It's a free world and I can say whatever I want. Peace.

 

Oh and I forgot your cookie.

 

You're a ******* *****. I used my middle finger on your momma last night bitch.

 

Oh...and thanks for ruining my thread by being such an arrogant ***.

 

Woah simmer down there, we're all friends here

I was just reading on tire rack's website, the difference between the Ecsta V700 and the Old Victoracer is treadwear, reverse remountability, and wet traction. In favor of the newer Ecsta V700. Although I'm not sure that they are as sticky on the good ol hot n' dry stuff.

I'm an R compund newbie, just got on them 3 weeks ago (but 3 track days! ).
And contrary to what everyone has told me and I'm reading here, I found the victo's to be stickier than Hoosiers (I don't know what model).

Let me share my recent experience. I ran two track days on 205/50/15 victoracers. Car felt wonderful but remember I was just getting used to race tires. By the end of my 2nd recent track day (Day 2 of the EXPO), I had corded two of the victos. (I got them used). Mattj (Dropspeed) was cool enough to let me use his Hoosiers. I had to run 2 Victo's/2 Hoosiers (all 205/50/15). I first tried the Hoosiers on the front, but they didn't feel quite rite compared to Victo's front and rear. I then ran Victo front/Hoosier rear, and started pulled the best times all week. The Hoosiers just did not feel like they held as much. I'm sure some people will still tell you otherwise, but that's my experience.

Remember I'm still a race tire newbie, and I hardly played with tire pressures at all (I used 44psiF/42 psiR hot). So take it for what it's worth.

btw-I'm ordering a full set of Victoracers this week.


[Modified by sackdz, 1:53 PM 6/4/2002]

 

Keep in mind - all I said was "what planet have you been living on?" - as an allegory to the fact that A032R's have been discussed at least a thousand times on the board.

Millenia wheels are ideal for 205/50 size. 225s are too heavy in most applications and would lead to a decrease in performance due to their heavy weight (over 205) unless you are driving a stripped race car.

225/205 are the JDM way of creating oversteer in a FF. You do not want to go here unless because you can't rotate the tires. You would know this if you thought about it a bit or had more experience IMO. And that's the whole point - it's my opinion.

It may be your thread - but it ain't your board sonny.

 

Fine...I'll drop it. I just don't need any arrogance in MY thread. If you don't have anything constructive to say, don't post in MY thread. Bottom line.

 

Are you guys gonna hug now?