The auto-x season is starting up again next week. I don't plan on making the switch to R-comps this season, this will be my second year of solo2 and my first year competing.

But im just curious how long the rest of you waited until you made the switch to R-Comps?

 

I waited a long time. I was doing track events for quite a few years on street tires before I switched over. I wasn't in competition, though, just HPDE events.

What was funny was, when I switched to R comps, they didn't seem all that different from street tires to me at the time. As I kept using them, I got faster. Then after a while, I had an occasion where I went back to street tires, and BOY did I notice the difference! I'm sure I started out driving the R comps expecting the same level of performance as street tires, so I wasn't near their limits; once I got faster, the street tires couldn't perform the way I became accustomed to with the R comps.

I think any time you feel as though you are using your tires to their maximum limits and you feel you have enough experience to take advantage of stickier tires is a good time to make the switch. Assuming you can afford the tires and extra set of wheels, of course.

 

I'll be starting my third full season of solo in March and both seasons I ran on a few different sets of street tires, (Dunlop Direzza DZ101's, Falken Azenis RT-215's, & RT_615's). However the last two events of 2007 season...I borrowed a buddy's mixed set of used slicks, (two = Toyo RA1's and Two Hankooks)...I was able to keep up with or have faster times than that of the usual group in my region. It was definitely a step above that of the street tires and I had no problems adjusting to them on either surface of both events. If you can get a cheap used set or borrow somebody's for an event...that would be a good starting point to tell weather you are ready or not. I may or may not get some for this up-coming season.

 

Yeah I have a set of Rt-615's for solo days. Whats the reason that people advise not to run them until you know how to drive? Is it because they can mask or magnify mistakes?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by The Destroyer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Whats the reason that people advise not to run them until you know how to drive? Is it because they can mask or magnify mistakes?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Basically...yes.

 

ive ran street tires for a while i just went to r-compounds in sept.

i ran the last 2 auto-x event on them. i dont have alot of experience on the tires but for 12 runs on them i was getting faster. they tend to hide the mistakes well too. so i will be switching back and forth from street tire and r-compounds.

 

It took me 3 years before I stepped up to R comps. I wanted to learn, my car, myself and tracks before I added any enhancements.

 

2 years

 

I went to R-comps during my first season of autocross, mainly because I realized that I was tearing up my stock tires. At the time, we didn't have Azenis or RE-01Rs, too. I scored a deal on a second set of wheels and started poking around for used R-comps. My biggest score was a set of Yokohama A008 RSII's that still had some life in them.

 

I used street tires for my first season, then i bought a set of yoko A008 RSII for $100 used. used them for 1.5 seasons, and they still have the same amount of tread as when i first got them.

 

I'd say that the one thing you want to retain is consistency from event to event. Not all R-comps are created equal, and not all will drop off as quickly as others as they are heat-cycled. If you are buying new tires anyway, then it may not be out off the question to consider one of the harder, less grippy but more durable R-comp options so that the performance doesn't drop off dramatically from event to event so that you can make some reasonable assumptions about how much of your performace is due to the car vs. the driver. A set of R6s or Ecsta V700's may be a cost-effective option...think of it as a starter set of R-comps. Not the fastest way to go, but they should last you nearly the whole season and be consistent.

IMHO, FWIW...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JBrettHowell &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'd say that the one thing you want to retain is consistency from event to event. Not all R-comps are created equal, and not all will drop off as quickly as others as they are heat-cycled. If you are buying new tires anyway, then it may not be out off the question to consider one of the harder, less grippy but more durable R-comp options so that the performance doesn't drop off dramatically from event to event so that you can make some reasonable assumptions about how much of your performace is due to the car vs. the driver. A set of R6s or Ecsta V700's may be a cost-effective option...think of it as a starter set of R-comps. Not the fastest way to go, but they should last you nearly the whole season and be consistent.

IMHO, FWIW...</TD></TR></TABLE>

I never even looked at it from that perspective. I have new azenis now, but ill definately keep that in mind.

 

Why wait?

If you are playing soccer you go and buy cleats.

You play hockey you go any buy skates.

You ski, you go and buy ski boots.

You autox, you go and buy R-compounds.

Just use the right tool for the job.

 

You might buy the proper tool for the job, but when you're first starting out you don't by the carbon fibre ski boots.

If you're thinking of buying the "entry level" r-comps, consider the falkens rt-615 or the Bridgestone RE-01R. Almost the same amount of performance for half the price.

I started autocrossing in 99. In '00 I autocrossed my uncle's Solo Vee on R25A slicks. Then went back to street tires from 01-05. In '06 I competed in a FF1660 in CM, again on R25A's. I also ran an event in a BS RX-8 on V710's, an event in a SS Z06 on V710's, as well as an event in a DSP BMW on V710's. I was officially hooked, but had some unfinished business in STS. I ran 07 in STS again, and capped the season with a top 5 finish at Solo nats and Pro Solo championship. For 08, the switch to r-comps is official. 275 Hoosiers FTMFW!

 

spot on!
Yes the racing tyres DO hide mistakes, but when your competitors run 5+ sec faster laps you just need to stay competitive and run with the types of tyres they run.

I switched to Pirelli slicks the moment I started lapping withing 1sec (approx 3 events - 4months). Instantly got a 2.5-3sec boost and started playing in the middle of the pack. At that point you can no longer blame the tyres... you have to blame yourself and fix your mistakes because you fight with the big boys now.

p.s. I'm talking about a very small 1mile road course with speeds below 90mph.
p.p.s pure R-tyres seem quite forgiving for errors, but do need more speed which makes them kind of more dangerous.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by The Destroyer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Whats the reason that people advise not to run them until you know how to drive? Is it because they can mask or magnify mistakes?</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's not all of it. Most street tires give plenty of warning, particularly squealing, before they lose traction. This can be very helpful when you are starting out, to help you get a feel when you are starting to lose grip.

Many of the HPDE events I run do not allow R compound tires in the novice run groups.

 

Ken, only thing I'll point out is that this guy is autoxing. I agree entirely for tracking, but for autoxing I think it's more about learning and not wasting money, rather than any safety thing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Stinkycheezmonky &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ken, only thing I'll point out is that this guy is autoxing. I agree entirely for tracking, but for autoxing I think it's more about learning and not wasting money, rather than any safety thing.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, that too.

 

for autocross i waited exactly 6 minutes. i never ran a track event on streets, so i dunno... i am greedy i guess.

 

Yeah, today I got my *** kicked by cars with race rubber.

 

Did you have fun?

 

Not to rain on your parade or anything, but if you don't have much experience and the other competitors do, you're gonna get your *** kicked no matter what rubber you have.

 

Oh I know that. Its just the thought of how much faster would my times be with race tires is all.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thawley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Did you have fun?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah I walways have fun, ill be back out there tomorrow.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thawley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Did you have fun?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I remember my very first run ever. I was laughing the entire time...because I couldn't believe I wasn't getting in any trouble for how erratic I was driving in a parking lot. It was fabulous.

 

I borrowed a set of Toyos from Chris Fries for two sessions at an ITR Expo. This was after 1.5 years of DE's and 2 years of Solo-II. I couldn't tell a difference between them and Azenis so I've opted to stay on street tires for now. I think I need to work on my driving more as well as get some decent suspension under me before going to R comps.