I have a set (4) 205 50 15 Potenza RE 730's which has 20 to 30% tread left.
Also have a set (4) of brand new 205 50 15 Potenza RE 730's.

Planning use the old tires for autocross and the new ones for daily drving.

Use all new 4 tires for Autocross => Not a good option as I have to run on the old tires for daily driving

Use 2 old tires on the front and 2 new in the back for autocross or
Use 2 new tires on the front and 2 old in the back for autocross => what you all think about this?

Thanks!!!!

 

What do you drive? Assuming it's a Honda, I'd put the two old tires in the back for autocrossing. Well, I'd buy new tires, but that's not one of the options.

[EDIT: Reading is fundamental. 4 new tires - street, whatever is left - autocross]


Modified by Steppin Razor at 4:42 PM 2/10/2004

 

if you put the two old tires in the back and then drive home in the rain, you will kill yourself, as I almost did.

 

I drive a 99 GSR......

Don't want to run with old tires in the street !!!!
Just wondering how effective old potenzas are in the autocross??

 

If you have 2 sets of wheels... use the old tires for autox

 

From experienced people around here, what I am trying to find out is how effective used tires will be in an auto-x for a novice like me???

Probably I should go for 2 old tires in the front and 2 new ones in the back??

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bemathew &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">From experienced people around here, what I am trying to find out is how effective used tires will be in an auto-x for a novice like me???

Probably I should go for 2 old tires in the front and 2 new ones in the back?? </TD></TR></TABLE>

If you're a novice it won't make a huge difference. You'll actually learn more, slip slidin away.

Follow what RJ said, use the new meat and tread on the road where you need ways for water to sipe and maintain control in all types of on road conditions. Get another set of wheels for either the street or autocross so you can swap on and off for road and autocross. If you're really low on funds you can pick up a set of used or beater stock rims online or even from a local wrecking yard, or if you have a few dollars and don't care about looks, get some steelies and hubcaps for the street or track or vice versa.

20 to 30% is not a big deal for autocross, many of us cord tires before we ditch them. Heck I even gave away some corded tires of mine recently that were already second hand to a buddy short on funds that wanted to try r comps regardless of how bad they were. I warned him, but he still took them.

 

Thanks everyone...I will be using my new tires for the daily driving.

I think the front tires wear out more than the rear ones especially in auto-x ??
Can anybody give me a approximate percentage of wear/damage happening for front and rear tires in
auto-x events? Ex. If 2 new front tires will last 15 auto-x events and rear ones will last for 30...something like that

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Greyout &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if you put the two old tires in the back and then drive home in the rain, you will kill yourself, as I almost did.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm sorry but this is just one of those dumb responses I've read. Just because you put old tires on the back doesn't automatically mean that you're gonna get in to an accident if you drive in the rain. Most of the accidents are caused by human error, whether it is your error or someone else's error.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vwong &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Most of the accidents are caused by human error, whether it is your error or someone else's error. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Ture I had an idiot dart out of a left hand turn lane as I was approaching the intersection and hit him. (i was in the lane closest to the left turn lane.)
But still give consideration to mixing tires.

 

the old tires would actually be better for autocross then the new ones. they are pre-"shaved" so they will respond faster, be less prone to overheating, and generate more grip then the new tires will.

there is no need to concern yourself about heat cycles on a street tires. heat cycles don't affect them enough to be measureable. the lower tread depth and lower weight of your old tires more then makes up for any amount of "hardening" they experienced throughout their life. besides, your a n00b, why burn your new tires up when you'll be going the slowest? get better, go faster, then get new tires.

nate

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RAB &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Ture I had an idiot dart out of a left hand turn lane as I was approaching the intersection and hit him. (i was in the lane closest to the left turn lane.)
But still give consideration to mixing tires.</TD></TR></TABLE>

But why would you still consider it was the tire mixing? Without knowing all the details, it appeared that the guy who dart out into your lane was at fault. Why blame it on the tires? Had you have new tires, the result might end up the same.

Look, my point is that telling people that they will kill themselves once they put on old tires in the back and drive in the rain is just plain ignorant. If he said it could be dangerous or unsafe to drive in the rain with the old tires in the back, then I can accept that.

 

Vwong I was just explaining a situation of human stupidity. i.e. illegal lane change.

 

Let me ask the question again....

I think the front tires wear out more than the rear ones especially in auto-x ??
Can anybody give me a approximate percentage of wear/damage happening for front and rear tires in
auto-x events? Ex. If 2 new front tires will last 15 auto-x events and rear ones will last for 30...something like that??

Thanks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bemathew &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Let me ask the question again....

I think the front tires wear out more than the rear ones especially in auto-x ??
Can anybody give me a approximate percentage of wear/damage happening for front and rear tires in
auto-x events? Ex. If 2 new front tires will last 15 auto-x events and rear ones will last for 30...something like that??

Thanks</TD></TR></TABLE>

I used to run staggered sized tires in my STX Prelude back in 2001 and 2002. 225/45/16 front, and 205/50/16 rear. I ran this setup for almost 2 seasons. Our season is from Jan to Dec with one event (a practice and a championship, at least 15 runs for the weekend) per month. A pair of 205/50/16 for the rear lasted the whole season, but I had to use 2 pairs of 225/45/16 for the front in that same season. These were Bridgestone S-03, and they were my street tires as well.

Last year, I changed my suspension setup, so I was running 225/45/16 on all 4 corners. A set of tires lasted more than one season because I was able to rotate them.