I searched (again) and found no information about the track worthiness of cheap High performance tires. Does anyone have any information on this?

97 gsr

 

You're going to have to be more specific about what exactly you're asking for information about. Falken Azenis are cheap and very track-worthy if that helps, but I think they might still be on backorder (anyone know?). The Kumho Ecsta MX are also supposed to be pretty good and cheap, though not as grippy as the Falkens. There are others but I have not personally had experience with them. Does that help?

 

Sorry I was more specific in my last post (deleted, said to search....) When I mean cheap, I mean CHEAP. I have yoko es100's on my street wheels and can get those for ~50$ for my race wheels how are they on the track? Also the Kumho 711's. I know that the Azenis's are great but I would like to spend less money then that.

97 GSR

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sscguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The Kumho Ecsta MX are also supposed to be pretty good and cheap, though not as grippy as the Falkens. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't know if I'd say that if you haven't driven on them. I think they might be just as sticky, but haven't done any back to back testing still. I like them more than the azenis because they get better with heat as the azenis get worse right from the start unless you water them down.

 

I really like the es100's and am curious if anyone has run them at a track. I have them for my everyday wheels and they do well for that. Do they handle heat and high lateral forces well?

97 GSR

 

If you're new to HPDE, it doesn't really matter what you drive on. Just go do an event. Once the tires are actually holding you back it will be a good time to find something better.
-Adam

 

Well I am new to Track schools but I have been autoXing for the past 2 years. I know this means that I still have a ton to learn but I am not really new to that. I will prob just save up and buy some Azenis or MX's for the track they seem to be the favorite ( from the searches that I have done).

97 GSR

 

I've driven the MX's on the street, but never on track which is what my opinion is based on. Granted, the conditions are entirely different, so don't take it to be 100% accurate. As far as ES100s, which I have driven on as well, they really don't compare to the Falkens. I think they're a harder compound, as they seem to last quite a bit longer but just plain don't stick as well. What size tire are you aiming for, I got my Falkens for about $60 each, which really isn't bad at all, for the performance or otherwise. The 711s aren't bad, I'd give them around the same traction as the ES100s, but I won't be taking them to the track until September, so again, I can't say for sure.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ryan12321 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I don't know if I'd say that if you haven't driven on them. I think they might be just as sticky, but haven't done any back to back testing still. I like them more than the azenis because they get better with heat as the azenis get worse right from the start unless you water them down.</TD></TR></TABLE>

good to know since i'm ordering a set of MX's this week.

 

I had no problems at all on track with Kumho 712's in my '00 celica, and no problems on RE71's in my '73 Celica.

Drive within the limits of the tires and they should be fine. Full tread street tires might get a bit hot and strat chunking if you push them too hard. Of course, the same thing will hapen to most any full tread tire.

Scott

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITR764 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

good to know since i'm ordering a set of MX's this week. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Just to warn you. They won't get to their ultimate level of grip until at least 5/32's of tread. They just keep getting better and better after that though.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ncsuteg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Sorry I was more specific in my last post (deleted, said to search....) When I mean cheap, I mean CHEAP. I have yoko es100's on my street wheels and can get those for ~50$ for my race wheels how are they on the track? Also the Kumho 711's. I know that the Azenis's are great but I would like to spend less money then that.

97 GSR</TD></TR></TABLE>

Azenis are not that expensive, just $15/tire than you're already spending and you'll get quite a bit more grip than the other tires you mentioned. From a price-to-grippiness ratio, Azenis always come out on top. I'd stay away from the 711s, I've never cared for those tires on the street or at an auto-x (sorry no HPDE experience, but the tire still is not impressive).

 

Thanks alot guys I will just save up a bit more and get the Azenis tires. You were alot of help. 205\50\15 from the cheapest place I can find.

97 gsr

 

Damn, no love for the 711s I've got them on my car they just plain suck. For the price though, you really can't go wrong.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ryan12321 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Just to warn you. They won't get to their ultimate level of grip until at least 5/32's of tread. They just keep getting better and better after that though.</TD></TR></TABLE>

hmm, thanks for the heads up! i'll be doing VIR full next month so they won't be down to 5/32's by then unless i start doing some burnouts

 

Just to add a datapoint for the searches(as if there aren't enough already)

ES100's hold up fine at the track, but they do tend to go off some after about 15ish minutes of driving in hot weather. The wear is great, but the sidewalls are pretty weak so with 235/40-17's up front I am rolling over WAY too much, even with a hair over -1* camber and ~38-40psi hot. These tires ideally need ~-2.5-3* camber up front from what I've seen.

So they're good street tires, but if you're going to HPDE on them - I'd go for something that can handle the heat a tad better.


Don't worry too much about the grip level, because at the beginning you'll be slow no matter what tire you have(even if you have been autocrossing for a decade).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ryan12321 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I don't know if I'd say that if you haven't driven on them. I think they might be just as sticky, but haven't done any back to back testing still. I like them more than the azenis because they get better with heat as the azenis get worse right from the start unless you water them down.</TD></TR></TABLE>

What about the sidewalls? Any input on that? There was a recent post in the ITR forum from someone that just bought some MX tires, and he said the sideways were not as stiff as the Bridgestone S03. Azenis have a pretty stiff sidewalls compared to street tires.