Just to get this out of the way, I'm a fairly experienced autocrosser (10 years) and have owned multiple sets of various R-compounds. I'll just be doing local events this year, but would like to be competitive.

I wanted to get a set of V710's this year for my new car, but apparently they are not available at the moment.

This means my choices (dictated by what is in stock at the various retailers) are the older V700, the A6, or one of the tires that are potentially even more "2nd teir" than the V700, like the Toyo R888 or Hankook Z*.

I don't mind paying for the A6's, although I am concerned about their life on the front heavy FWD. I wouldn't mind saving the money and buying the V700's either, but since they are a "slower" tire, I keep wondering why not save even MORE money and get fast street tires, if I won't be on competitive rubber anyhow.

Any feedback on the R888 as an autocross tire? Too slow to consider over something like the Re01r or Azenis?

Any input appreciated.

 

Victoracers are a lot slower, if I had to pick I would go with either the A6 or the C71 Hankooks. The Hankook Z214s in the C71 (soft) compound are comparable to the A6s in terms of durability and speed.

 

Yeah, I was going to mention that as well. The Z214s are actually pretty durn nice. I don't know that much autox testing has been done with the R888 yet.

 

Wow, I must have been living in a cave, I didn't know that Hankook was making a fast tire.

However, from looking at the prices, they're definitely not giving them away: http://www.racetire.com/products/hankook_z214.htm

Is there a place I should look for a better deal? At that rate, it's only maybe $10/corner cheaper than a Hoosier, and I'd just go with the proven commodity at that point.

 

Okay, someone please correct me if I'm wrong about this, but I always thought that (a) R compound tires designed for autocross will do better at autocross than R compound tires that aren't; (b) this is because R comps designed for autocross use softer compounds that can stick better when cold, compared with R comps designed for road courses where you can take a lap or two to get them warmed up; and (c) R comp tires designed for autocross include the Hoosier A6 as well as soft compound versions of tires that are available in a choice of compounds, like the 'kooks. No?

 

You're correct, but what does that have to do with anything here? I think the guy understands that, and is trading the better-ness for the longer-lasting-ness.

 

Just to chime in...RA1's and the super performance street tires that are not R compounds (the Azenis, RE01R, etc) are in no way shape or form comparable to each other in terms of performance or wear IMO. Now, from my understandings, the R888 is the RA1's replacement. With that said, it should be every bit as good (more than likely better, but I don't know...) than it's predecessor.

Now... if it were me...I'd go with the A6, and I would expect them to get used up rather quickly...But, I wouldn't be losing on out performance because I didn't choose the most competitive tire...