I was finally able to fit these tires under my fender wells after some cutting and rolling - plus some spring spacers I got 215/45x16" on some Kosei K1 16x7.5" wheels. They were rubbing on the front and rear fender wells.

For those who don't know what this tire is - it's Falken's first competition tire for STS (Street Touring Street Tire) class in the SCCA. It has stiff sidewalls (great for cornering), agressive compound (not 200 tread wear), and very big shoulder blocks for more cornering grip.

I was skeptical at first since I've been running on Kumho 712s all year and was pretty happy with them from day one. Taking numerous 1st, 2nds, and 3rd place finishes all year. The Kumhos were light, but not all at "Top Performing" tire. They were inexpensive which were a plus in my book. Plus not many companies made 215/40x16" tires besides Yokohama A520s. The Kumhos had a softer side wall, which prolly made them lighter.

So I rode down to the event on Sunday. About an hour drive and they were quiet! Except for the fact of them picking up stones like a DOT racing tire when I got onto roads with lots of dirt. I had my pressures set at 35psi and it rode comfortable (I rode with 40psi in my Kumhos for the same feel).

I set my pressures at 39/35 my first run. Well my first run out I was like WOW! No tire squeal. Transitions were a bit quicker due to the stiffer side walls. And cornering was much better than the Kumhos. I came in and checked my temperatures and I needed mroe air in the front and dropped the rears (40/34). Next run I knocked off a second, but the car still pushed. So I dropped to (40/33). Still pushing. Dropped to 40/32 and it was getting better. Then on my 5th run I had it down to 40/31 and it was rotating perfectly.

The one thing I did notice was that they didn't like alot of heat on my 7th and 8th run the tires started getting greasy and going into the turn the front just understeered really BAD!

Overall I would have gotten 1st if I didn't let the instructor co-drive my car (sorry Perry!) But he only got me by .4 seconds. I'm waiting to see the overall results soon


[Modified by CivicSiRacer, 1:20 PM 10/22/2001]

 

Neat...I may have to buy me a set of those for my daily driving duties.

 

I'm itching to get the Azenis now. Maybe about 3 or 4 autocrosses and it'll be time for new tires. Unfortunately, its practically the end of the season. I'm wondering how much more my times will drop. I'm running 205-45/16 PZeros' and I also let Perry drive my carand was also .4 seconds away from his time. I'm getting some good tips from the instructors letting me improve each autocross.

 

Also auto-xed in Azenis yesterday, no tire squeal, none. Albeit was a a super fast course without only 4 tight turns. Very Surprised. When you touched the tires, there's actually a sticky feeling to it, me likes

 

Any idea how these tires relate to Bridgestone RE71's?

I'm currently running these tires on my 98 Integra GS and plan on going to my first AutoX soon. These tires stick like there's no tomorrow so I'm really looking forward to seeing what they'll do when I can completely push them to their limits, but they howl like crazy on smooth pavement. Treadwear rating is 140 on the RE71s, but I think I might actually get 20-25k miles out of them(I don't think I drive like a granny???).

Any more info like price/size(205/50-15 available?)/where to buy etc?

Thanks

Jacob

 

Sorry can't really help you on the RE71s. I know a friend of mine ran on them and he was amazed with their grip - same tires on the Type R right?

You can order them from http://www.vulcantire.com I think the 205/50x15" are around $70-80. Although you may have to wait since sometimes that size is on back order.

 

Looking at the results from Nationals, the Azenis is not the hot tire. Bridgestone took the top 3 spots (not sure which model). 4th place may have useed Falkens, not sure though.

 

If Bridgestone still manufactured the RE-71 I'd buy them in an instant, even though I'd only average 16K miles a set.

 

This is a BS statement. I am tired of this...

And if you look at the Pro Solo Finale, the top three were on Falkens and ...these tires are all in the same ballpark as far as performance. They just have different sizes and characteristics that different people prefer. I will say this about he Azenis...buy a water sprayer if you plan on running them. They do overheat rather easy and get greasy when they do. Especially if you have two people running the car.


The Falkens on the Subaru's were at a disadvantage at Nationals because of their size (I know, casue I was one of them)...they are shorter than the Bridgstones ran by others, requiring MUCH more shifting and rev limiter activity that slowed them. And for the record, Richard West that finished third at Nats, was running the Falkens, even though it says Bridgestones.


[Modified by Crosser, 8:26 AM 10/23/2001]

 

Yep, I think it would be fair to sum up there autocross performance as follows: "Falken Azenis. They are not end-all be-all of autox street tires... but you could probably make as much of a case for them as anything else" BTW, I think one of your especially tire-happy Subaru buddies is inspecting the BFG KD's, it will be interesting to see how you guys compare next season.

BTW, is Eric daily-driving his now that Nats are over and I would assume he'd be picking up a new set of those or something else for next year? Just curious as to how the wear of the tire is for a daily driver.

 

Yeah, I think he was not as happy with the results of the Falkens as he thought he would be...I think he thought they WERE the end all be all, considering our performance on them up until nats. WRONG...I think right now with the Subaru's the big thing is finding the best tire SIZE combo to best utilize their short gearing. The real answer to that is...it depends on the course.

As for the wear on the Azenis, you should talk to someone else, we really used them for racing only. Eric does not like the way they feel in the rain, so he used the Kuhmo's for daily driving.

 

What is bullshit about that? The Falken didn't win, nor did it come close. So, it would be hard to make the case it is the hot tire. I did not claim it sucked goat ***, as it most definetely does not. But neither is it the "cheater" tire that so many claimed it would be.

As for ProSolo, that is a different sport. The drag style start brings a whole new set of variables to the game.


[Modified by Crack Monkey, 11:31 AM 10/23/2001]

 

Sheesh! I started a war here It is definitely not the "cheater tire" as it does take alot of care to get them where you want them. As someone mentioned using a water sprayer might work for me next time.

I'll have to see how long these puppies last as I drive them on the street.

Mike

 

I am not trying to attack you....I am just tired of hearing this speculation of what THE tire is to have. Using nationals results as your argument really means nothing. I was there...I ran the Azenis tires and I trophied. I know what we (Eric Krimelmeyer and I) did wrong to finish so poorly compared to where we hoped to be.

The reason I am saying it is a BS comment is it was one event. And especially THAT event, considering the events that occurred THAT week, (sept. 11th). No one was themselves. Everyone was freaked. Everyone's concentration was wreaked.

As far as the tires go...there are many tires that work well for STS, this is not like R compounds where Hoosiers are it if when it comes to performance. There are many that are in the ball park and are capable of winning in STS. You just have to find the tire that offers the optimum size for your particular car needs and has the right feel for your tastes in driving style.

I do agree with you it is NOT the cheater tire. I think it is simply a very good option for the class at a reasonable price. In reality, we are saying the same thing, just different ways.

I did not mean to come across, as you do no know what you are taking about. I am just getting sick and tired of all the BS in general about this subject. I apologize.

Eric Carman

 

The water sprayer worked very well for Eric K and I running the Pro Solo's. As for single drivers, it usually only needs spraying after the 2nd to 3rd run. Especially if you are running them back to back.

I know Eric K, put about 12, 000 to 15,000 on the set we had running them in some. They held up very well. Considering most of our racing was done on abrasive concrete as well. I was impressed. They really started to come on preformance wise after we put about 30 runs on them and he put about 10,000 miles on them.

If you are to use them for race only, I would shave them down to about 4-5/32 and they will work real well.

EC

 

Yup, that's for sure. I couldn't decide on a tire for STS and got tired of the jibba jabba, so I canned the idea altogether (sold the Civic, bought a Caprice).

That'll change next year though - there's a RX-7 in my driveway that has me itching to run CSP - it's high time somebody showed those CRXes what's up.

 

Nah I'm driving daily on these to wear them in. Although someone on Superhonda has 5000 miles on them and 5 autocrosses and he said he's down to the wear bars.

I rotate my tires every other autocross.

 

You know you are talking about me here right? hahahaha. I have the Black 1991 CSP CRX Si that runs in the DC area. Didn't run it this season, I was car whoring...hahaha. My roomate Thad Hess will be happy to have some comp. in CSP, he runs the yellow 88 CRX in CSP.

 

He is doing something seriously wrong then...The Subaru is much heavier than the honda's and Eric is running nearly 2.5 degrees of neg. camber up front and they never wore like that.

We have put over 140 runs on the tires at the end of nationals and they still had over 1/4 of the tread left.


[Modified by Crosser, 1:21 PM 10/23/2001]

 

I knew you were "car whoring", but didn't realize you had a CSP CRX. Is anybody driving your car this year?

The RX-7 will take a while to develop - it's currently without an engine and bone stock. And my Spec RX-7 is my priority. It'll be an RX-7 in a sea of Hondas. I also need to figure out how to pass emmissions with a giant carb and headers.

Whether or not I can give Thad a run remains to be seen - he's pretty quick.


[Modified by Crack Monkey, 2:06 PM 10/23/2001]

 

I stand beside Eric pertaining all this Azenis "discussing"...

I like the tire, I feel it works, but I know it isn't the "catch all...end all" that the Hoosier represents when talking about true R compound tires. The fact of the matter is the tire isn't perfect, but it has attributes that makes it one of the better choices for STS. Yet, like any tire, the Azenis rewards a smooth driver and I can say that Eric is one of the smoothest I have come across... And I say this as both a competitor and acquaintance.

But what do I know???


Anthony "Mario" Crea



[Modified by honda93, 6:06 PM 10/23/2001]

 

Not much...hahahaha...no, actually you are very right. The Azenis do reward smooth drivers. And I have to say I will really start worrying Tony if you get a car that has more that 100 hp...

EC

 

Yup, this is the first season I have not run my car. I never bought tires for it. Money was used to go to Pro events instead and run Eric K's car...woo hoo. hahaha. My car is actually further developed than Thad's by a little...not too much.

It would be great to have a non-honda to run against. If developed the Rx-7 can be a very good CSP car.

As far as Thad, I imagine he is only going to get faster next season if he actually gets a real suspension in the car. It is actually scarry how fast that car is considering how much is done to it.

 

Speaking of the Bridgestone RE-71--does anyone know of anyone who has a 205/50/15 size left in stock?

 

if you get a car that has more that 100 hp...

__________________________________

Eric,

Do you mean at the flywheel or to the wheels? I think I'm making something like 115 at the flywheel. I just don't want to give up on the 'ol D15B7... It really isn't as bad a motor as many people make it out to be. It just lacks raw power, but it's sturdy and light.

Anyway, speaking of update / backdate, would the EX / Si VTEC motor and / or trans be allowed in STS? Neither are loved in the realm of drag and street racing so I could pick them up for under $1000 combined in most cases and have a hell of an autocross package. Don't get me wrong, I'm not planning anything for at least a year or two, just curious because the rules still seem somewhat vague to me.

Thanks for the kind words Eric.


Anthony "Mario" Crea