I just picked up a set of track wheels 15x6.5 40mm offset.
I was wondering if I should get R compund tires for them. I don't have much experience, so those who do what are your thoughts.

What are some good R compund tires?
How do they compare to the sticky street tires like the T1-S and Azenis?
How much more are they, where do you get them and how many miles of track will they last?

 

what a lot of people tell me is, get a few lapping sessions on street tires under your belt, then move on to R compounds..

 

You might want to get more experience before switching to an R-Compound tire. IMO the A032R is the best "My first r-compound" tire. They still slide out smoothly vs the other r compounds I've driven on (hoosier and gforce's). A lot of people like kumhos, a lot of people don't like the kumhos. Adam (RS) melted a set in one day before at sebring. A lot of people like the toyo ra1s as well.. I have no first hand experience with those though.

My A032R's have lasted over a year.. quite a few track events and many many autox events.

 

Before going directly to R compound tires, I would recommend that you drive a few events (maybe 1 year) on street tires. This will allow you to feel what the car is doing a bit more while you learn to control it.

Check out http://www.tirerack.com/tires/types/comp.htm for competition tires.

EDIT: looks like we all had the same answer at the same time....


[Modified by Flux, 2:06 PM 11/15/2001]

 

I remember that you've been to the track before (maybe a few times?) So I believe you have a pretty good feel of the limit of the Type R.
The A032R are good track tires with good street drivability. But a good set of street tires like S02 or P-zeros can match the performance because the A032R compound is just not soft enough like the Kumhos, Toyos or Hoosiers. Good thing is that it gives good notice before breaking loose.

I had a set and it went thru 7 events (6 of them were CGI), one or 2 autocrosses plus driving around on the street.

If you don't mind the hassle of changing tires before and after each event, go with the softer tires like Kumhos, Toyos or Hoosiers. Kumhos might not be the best but the price is hard to beat. It's only ~$115 a piece.

 

Stick with street tires until you can easily slide and catch the car. Don't rely on the noise made by the tires either, because you get very little audible warning from r compound tires.

I say wait at least 1 year.

Warren

 

Yea, I have a 2 years and 4-5 events under my belt, all on street tires. I say I don't have much experience because, well, I don't compared to some people here. I think I'm ready to go R, but it might be cool to drive someone's car with R's first. Unfortuantely, I need tires before next season, before the expo, and don't want to get another set of steet tires when I could get R compunds.


[Modified by sackdz, 3:30 PM 11/15/2001]

 

sackdz: Like Warren said, if you can easily control the car when it's sliding out from under you without thinking about it, get some R compounds. And like Wai and I said, the A032R's are good R compounds at first because they break smoothly and gradually on you. If you want some r compounds, get some A032R's.. not the best by any means, but still good.

 

Thanks everyone you've been most helpful. Where can I get a good price on the A032R/any R comps? I think I may want to try the RA-1's? Any comments specifically for these?


[Modified by sackdz, 3:55 PM 11/15/2001]

 

Tire Rack. Heck, you can go there and have them mount them for you.

There have been some good discussions here in the past about the various track tires. You might want to try a search and see what you can find... (no flames intended)

 

I have a set of used Kuhmo V700 Victorracers that have plently of life left if your interested in them. Purchased this summer. I pulled them in favor of Hoosier race tires. I/M me for more info.

Mattj

 

Thnx Matt