Tire specs for occasional racing?
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Thread Starter
Lord of the idiots
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: 1344 Queens Boulevard
Tire specs for occasional racing?
Hey guys, I'm going to be getting some wheels in the next year and I'm planning on occasionally racing. I'm going to be getting 15x8 949 racing wheels. What size tires should I get if I'm going to go to the track off and on but also daily use? As for brand, I was thinking fallen azenis? Input please?
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From: Northern Virginia
Re: Tire specs for occasional racing?
Re: Tire specs for occasional racing?
Young grasshopper, you are asking a age old question that has been asked since the dawn of time... search and you will recieve your rewards.
Search "tires" and sift throught the moutains of information and opinions
Search "tires" and sift throught the moutains of information and opinions
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Tampa
Re: Tire specs for occasional racing?
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Chicago
Re: Tire specs for occasional racing?
FIRST decide what model and size tires you intend to use, and THEN find wheels in the best width for that size. And don't just buy by brand; find out which MODEL of tire meets your needs.
But before you do that, don't start out by buying wheels and tires for the track. Just go out and use whatever you've got on your car now. When you're starting out, it's a lot easier to learn on tires that aren't all that grippy. Leave the supersticky tires for later on, after you've driven in a bunch of events.
But before you do that, don't start out by buying wheels and tires for the track. Just go out and use whatever you've got on your car now. When you're starting out, it's a lot easier to learn on tires that aren't all that grippy. Leave the supersticky tires for later on, after you've driven in a bunch of events.
Re: Tire specs for occasional racing?
As has been mentioned, SEARCH then ask more specific questions if necessary. Also, I strongly advise against a 15x8 wheel on a daily driver, but thats just my opinion.
Thread Starter
Lord of the idiots
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 0
From: 1344 Queens Boulevard
Re: Tire specs for occasional racing?
thanks! and by 6.5 or 7 you mean width of the wheel correct? because right now i have em1 wheels and theyre about 7 inches, i think? the reason i said 8 is because i want it to look nice too as well as perform good. im not worried about having to roll my fenders or anything, it wont bother me if i have to do it
thanks man. im not going to buy wheels for a little while, but i think im gonna try what you suggested. what do you mean by model? isnt azeni the model from falken? the only reason i though of that tire is because ive heard good things about its performance aspects and they are supposed to be decent dd tires. (plus, theyre in my price range)
right now i have bridgstone blizzaks on my em1 wheels. i cant remember the size though :/
FIRST decide what model and size tires you intend to use, and THEN find wheels in the best width for that size. And don't just buy by brand; find out which MODEL of tire meets your needs.
But before you do that, don't start out by buying wheels and tires for the track. Just go out and use whatever you've got on your car now. When you're starting out, it's a lot easier to learn on tires that aren't all that grippy. Leave the supersticky tires for later on, after you've driven in a bunch of events.
But before you do that, don't start out by buying wheels and tires for the track. Just go out and use whatever you've got on your car now. When you're starting out, it's a lot easier to learn on tires that aren't all that grippy. Leave the supersticky tires for later on, after you've driven in a bunch of events.
thanks man. im not going to buy wheels for a little while, but i think im gonna try what you suggested. what do you mean by model? isnt azeni the model from falken? the only reason i though of that tire is because ive heard good things about its performance aspects and they are supposed to be decent dd tires. (plus, theyre in my price range)
right now i have bridgstone blizzaks on my em1 wheels. i cant remember the size though :/
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Chicago
Re: Tire specs for occasional racing?
Yes, that's what he means.
No, they aren't. The wheels on the 1999-2000 Civic Si are 15x6, meaning that they are 6" wide, 15" in diameter. Width (as well as diameter) is measured at the bead, where the inside edge of the tire is seated. It is not measured from the outer edges of the lip from one side to the other (which probably would measure around 7 inches wide and 16 inches in diameter, but that's not how they are measured).
Falken makes several tires with the Azenis name on them. The sticky one is the Falken Azenis RT-615K. Its predecessor, the Falken Azenis RT-615, was the stickiest tire around when it was introduced some years ago. Now, other manufacturers have come out with tires that are stickier, and some of them are less expensive than the RT-615K. And none of them are "decent daily driver tires" because they don't last all that long, typically maybe 15K miles.
You really need to do a search, instead of spouting off something you heard somewhere. You have old information, bad information, and you really don't know what you're doing.
What are you doing using winter tires in September??? Dude. 
You really need to stop and figure out what you're doing. No single tire is going to do everything you want to do. Since this is your daily driver in Ohio, you need tires that can be used in snow, tires that can be used in warm weather, tires that will last a reasonably long time, and tires that will be decent on the racetrack. The more things you ask a tire to do, the more of a compromise it will be at any single one of them. For example, if you can only have one set of tires for year-round use including the racetrack, you'll have to get all-seasons so they can grip in snow, but they won't do well at the racetrack. That's why a lot of us have separate tires for each of these purposes - winter tires to use in winter, summer daily driving tires (longer-lasting tires) to use on the street the rest of the year, and really sticky tires for the track. And when you have separate sets of tires you need to switch back and forth, you need separate sets of wheels so you don't have to get the tires mounted and balanced each time. It sounds like you only have one set of wheels, with winter tires on them. Dude.
Here's what I recommend. Get a second set of wheels, and a set of longer-lasting summer tires, so you can use them in daily driving nine months a year, not winter tires. You can use them in your first half dozen track events, too. Worry about getting really sticky tires later on, when you build up experience.
You have a 1993 Civic, correct? The best 15" tire size for your car is 195/50-15. A really good daily driving type summer tire in that size is the Yokohama S.drive, and you can buy a set of four for $280 with free shipping from Discount Tire Direct. They'll last you 25-40K miles, and they're decent enough to use in your first few track events. If you need another set of wheels, you can find used sets of 15" wheels from Integras (fat fives, blades, etc) for $200 or so, and they'll look reasonably decent. Or, you can get new or used steelies for less money, and use the steelies for your winter tires. As long as the Blizzaks still have decent tread on them, you can use those in winter, but don't drive on them the rest of the year (they won't grip/handle well and they wear out quickly).
If spending $500 on a set of wheels and tires you're going to use for at least several years is something you can't afford, then you can't afford to be driving on the track. Because driving on the track is going to cost you a lot more money than that (not only for tires, but brake pads, registration fees, gas, etc).
No, they aren't. The wheels on the 1999-2000 Civic Si are 15x6, meaning that they are 6" wide, 15" in diameter. Width (as well as diameter) is measured at the bead, where the inside edge of the tire is seated. It is not measured from the outer edges of the lip from one side to the other (which probably would measure around 7 inches wide and 16 inches in diameter, but that's not how they are measured).
You really need to do a search, instead of spouting off something you heard somewhere. You have old information, bad information, and you really don't know what you're doing.
You really need to stop and figure out what you're doing. No single tire is going to do everything you want to do. Since this is your daily driver in Ohio, you need tires that can be used in snow, tires that can be used in warm weather, tires that will last a reasonably long time, and tires that will be decent on the racetrack. The more things you ask a tire to do, the more of a compromise it will be at any single one of them. For example, if you can only have one set of tires for year-round use including the racetrack, you'll have to get all-seasons so they can grip in snow, but they won't do well at the racetrack. That's why a lot of us have separate tires for each of these purposes - winter tires to use in winter, summer daily driving tires (longer-lasting tires) to use on the street the rest of the year, and really sticky tires for the track. And when you have separate sets of tires you need to switch back and forth, you need separate sets of wheels so you don't have to get the tires mounted and balanced each time. It sounds like you only have one set of wheels, with winter tires on them. Dude.
Here's what I recommend. Get a second set of wheels, and a set of longer-lasting summer tires, so you can use them in daily driving nine months a year, not winter tires. You can use them in your first half dozen track events, too. Worry about getting really sticky tires later on, when you build up experience.
You have a 1993 Civic, correct? The best 15" tire size for your car is 195/50-15. A really good daily driving type summer tire in that size is the Yokohama S.drive, and you can buy a set of four for $280 with free shipping from Discount Tire Direct. They'll last you 25-40K miles, and they're decent enough to use in your first few track events. If you need another set of wheels, you can find used sets of 15" wheels from Integras (fat fives, blades, etc) for $200 or so, and they'll look reasonably decent. Or, you can get new or used steelies for less money, and use the steelies for your winter tires. As long as the Blizzaks still have decent tread on them, you can use those in winter, but don't drive on them the rest of the year (they won't grip/handle well and they wear out quickly).
If spending $500 on a set of wheels and tires you're going to use for at least several years is something you can't afford, then you can't afford to be driving on the track. Because driving on the track is going to cost you a lot more money than that (not only for tires, but brake pads, registration fees, gas, etc).
Thread Starter
Lord of the idiots
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 0
From: 1344 Queens Boulevard
Re: Tire specs for occasional racing?
Yes, that's what he means.
No, they aren't. The wheels on the 1999-2000 Civic Si are 15x6, meaning that they are 6" wide, 15" in diameter. Width (as well as diameter) is measured at the bead, where the inside edge of the tire is seated. It is not measured from the outer edges of the lip from one side to the other (which probably would measure around 7 inches wide and 16 inches in diameter, but that's not how they are measured).
Falken makes several tires with the Azenis name on them. The sticky one is the Falken Azenis RT-615K. Its predecessor, the Falken Azenis RT-615, was the stickiest tire around when it was introduced some years ago. Now, other manufacturers have come out with tires that are stickier, and some of them are less expensive than the RT-615K. And none of them are "decent daily driver tires" because they don't last all that long, typically maybe 15K miles.
You really need to do a search, instead of spouting off something you heard somewhere. You have old information, bad information, and you really don't know what you're doing.
What are you doing using winter tires in September??? Dude.
You really need to stop and figure out what you're doing. No single tire is going to do everything you want to do. Since this is your daily driver in Ohio, you need tires that can be used in snow, tires that can be used in warm weather, tires that will last a reasonably long time, and tires that will be decent on the racetrack. The more things you ask a tire to do, the more of a compromise it will be at any single one of them. For example, if you can only have one set of tires for year-round use including the racetrack, you'll have to get all-seasons so they can grip in snow, but they won't do well at the racetrack. That's why a lot of us have separate tires for each of these purposes - winter tires to use in winter, summer daily driving tires (longer-lasting tires) to use on the street the rest of the year, and really sticky tires for the track. And when you have separate sets of tires you need to switch back and forth, you need separate sets of wheels so you don't have to get the tires mounted and balanced each time. It sounds like you only have one set of wheels, with winter tires on them. Dude.
Here's what I recommend. Get a second set of wheels, and a set of longer-lasting summer tires, so you can use them in daily driving nine months a year, not winter tires. You can use them in your first half dozen track events, too. Worry about getting really sticky tires later on, when you build up experience.
You have a 1993 Civic, correct? The best 15" tire size for your car is 195/50-15. A really good daily driving type summer tire in that size is the Yokohama S.drive, and you can buy a set of four for $280 with free shipping from Discount Tire Direct. They'll last you 25-40K miles, and they're decent enough to use in your first few track events. If you need another set of wheels, you can find used sets of 15" wheels from Integras (fat fives, blades, etc) for $200 or so, and they'll look reasonably decent. Or, you can get new or used steelies for less money, and use the steelies for your winter tires. As long as the Blizzaks still have decent tread on them, you can use those in winter, but don't drive on them the rest of the year (they won't grip/handle well and they wear out quickly).
If spending $500 on a set of wheels and tires you're going to use for at least several years is something you can't afford, then you can't afford to be driving on the track. Because driving on the track is going to cost you a lot more money than that (not only for tires, but brake pads, registration fees, gas, etc).
No, they aren't. The wheels on the 1999-2000 Civic Si are 15x6, meaning that they are 6" wide, 15" in diameter. Width (as well as diameter) is measured at the bead, where the inside edge of the tire is seated. It is not measured from the outer edges of the lip from one side to the other (which probably would measure around 7 inches wide and 16 inches in diameter, but that's not how they are measured).
Falken makes several tires with the Azenis name on them. The sticky one is the Falken Azenis RT-615K. Its predecessor, the Falken Azenis RT-615, was the stickiest tire around when it was introduced some years ago. Now, other manufacturers have come out with tires that are stickier, and some of them are less expensive than the RT-615K. And none of them are "decent daily driver tires" because they don't last all that long, typically maybe 15K miles.
You really need to do a search, instead of spouting off something you heard somewhere. You have old information, bad information, and you really don't know what you're doing.
What are you doing using winter tires in September??? Dude.
You really need to stop and figure out what you're doing. No single tire is going to do everything you want to do. Since this is your daily driver in Ohio, you need tires that can be used in snow, tires that can be used in warm weather, tires that will last a reasonably long time, and tires that will be decent on the racetrack. The more things you ask a tire to do, the more of a compromise it will be at any single one of them. For example, if you can only have one set of tires for year-round use including the racetrack, you'll have to get all-seasons so they can grip in snow, but they won't do well at the racetrack. That's why a lot of us have separate tires for each of these purposes - winter tires to use in winter, summer daily driving tires (longer-lasting tires) to use on the street the rest of the year, and really sticky tires for the track. And when you have separate sets of tires you need to switch back and forth, you need separate sets of wheels so you don't have to get the tires mounted and balanced each time. It sounds like you only have one set of wheels, with winter tires on them. Dude.
Here's what I recommend. Get a second set of wheels, and a set of longer-lasting summer tires, so you can use them in daily driving nine months a year, not winter tires. You can use them in your first half dozen track events, too. Worry about getting really sticky tires later on, when you build up experience.
You have a 1993 Civic, correct? The best 15" tire size for your car is 195/50-15. A really good daily driving type summer tire in that size is the Yokohama S.drive, and you can buy a set of four for $280 with free shipping from Discount Tire Direct. They'll last you 25-40K miles, and they're decent enough to use in your first few track events. If you need another set of wheels, you can find used sets of 15" wheels from Integras (fat fives, blades, etc) for $200 or so, and they'll look reasonably decent. Or, you can get new or used steelies for less money, and use the steelies for your winter tires. As long as the Blizzaks still have decent tread on them, you can use those in winter, but don't drive on them the rest of the year (they won't grip/handle well and they wear out quickly).
If spending $500 on a set of wheels and tires you're going to use for at least several years is something you can't afford, then you can't afford to be driving on the track. Because driving on the track is going to cost you a lot more money than that (not only for tires, but brake pads, registration fees, gas, etc).
so i see what youre saying. and i truly appreciate the help. i was planning on having two sets of wheels. my em1's for winter and 949's for the rest of the year.
thanks a bunch!
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