OK heres the deal,

I have become totally engrossed in the Auto-X scene as many HT members already know. I just recently purchased a set of Very Good Light Weight wheels for the track and nice days on twisty roads.

I am planning out my purchases for the next season and Rubber is a big decision for me. I have beat my stock Re010's to death and need a good set of Road tires for daily driving, my choice for this seems to be the Falken Azenis, "other suggestions?" I also need a good set of tires for the track and X events to be mounted on my new rims, for these I am undecided, "are the Azenis a good option for this too?" If so then 2 sets are a good order.

I have already run on borrowed Hoosier track rubber and did pretty well without losing control or flatspotting them or any very negative things. I do however think that the Hoosiers while being a great tire might be a little too advanced for me and a little too expensive as well. Although I loved their grip. What about Yoko A32R's?

So I am in a quandry, I need a good set of road tires, treadwear life is so so with me, I mean at the price of the Azenis I'd buy a couple of sets and run 'em on the road and at the track if it is a good idea. Remember that I am only using my car for Auto-X now and by the time I actually hit a PDA track Event I will probably need another set of tires anyway.

I also apologize for ANOTHER post about tires and being selfish and wanting an answer for just me. But, after searching and thinking I am in need of some instant gratification. I realize which tires are good and have seriously considered a few but am just in need of advice.

I have run in CSP and SM to give you an idea of my restrictions.

Thanks in advance,

Anton

 

I don't have the answer, but just tonight I started shopping for tires for next year as well. So far I am looking at:

Kumho ECSTA V700
Yokohama Advan A032R

I will be doing mostly autox but plan on maybe 1-2 track events next year and will be using the same wheels/tires for both. I'm assuming all of these tires will work for both autox and track.

I'm also interested in advice for tires for next year...

Edit: One thing I should mention - I have autox experience on R compund tires but have never done a track day but plan on doing so next year. How will this influence my tire selection?


[Modified by Flux, 10:27 PM 12/29/2001]

 

I just did the 2 sets of wheels & tires thing and this is the way I went -

for all-season high-performance driving: Dunlop SP5000s to replace the REs and go on the stock rims

for HPDS/future autox/some summer driving: 205/50/15 Falken Azenis wrapped around some Kosei K-1s. I just couldnt justify spending thousands of dollars on really nice JDM wheels when Im not doing wheel-to-wheel.

You'll need a winter/shitty weather tire, and from what everyone tells me, the Azenis wont cut it.

 

Depends. The Azenis will not be competitive against R compound tires. So, if you are trying to get some points, Kumho or Hoosier are probably the two choices. If you are just out for ***** and grins, the Azenis are a good, cheap choice.

If you get Azenis as your "race" tire, possibly you could get a better weaing "street" tire and ssave some money in the long run.

 

You will never be competitive in SM or CSP on "street" tires. Use the Falkens (or anything you want) for the street and buy a set of Kumho Victorracers for autox and put them on at least a 15x7 rim (wider is better). Hoosiers are too expensive for the level of seriousness you'll be doing and the Kumhos can pull double duty as track and autox tires. Plus, they are cheaper and last longer.

Falkens are good STS "street" tires, but they absolutely don't cut it for autox in SP or SM classes.

 

I run Azenis on the street and all non-autocross driving. For autocross, I run a set of V700's. The kumhos are lasting a LOT longer than I expected, and I can't even rotate mine (225/205 combo). I am very happy with them, and they can hold their own against Hoosiers. It would be rare for you to be consistently in 2nd place simply because the 1st place guy had Hoosiers against your Kumhos, IMHO.

The Azenis are fine for everything else, and I'm not comfortable running v700s (nor can I afford it) on a track day. I have too much to learn before I need to explore the limits of race tires on a road course. In an autocross situation, they're no problem to handle, and very cheap. If you're going to run two sets of tires, the Azeni/V700 is a great combo.

 

You won't be competitive in those classes nationally on street tires, but depending on your region, you may still be competitive locally. We have a fairly weak SM class, for example, and the top SM driver is often beaten by 2 or 3 STS guys every month.

 

If I'm thinking of the 2 or 3 STS drivers in question (I race in AZ too), I have a tough time beating them without race tires. In that case, the difference is night and day. But any time the SM drivers can't keep up with the STS drivers...something is wrong

 

Yeah, nobody in SM has prepared their car anywhere near the SM limits. Looking at the last event, there were 8 STS entries and 6 SM entries. I beat the top SM driver by a couple tenths (I'm the only one in the recently deceased STR class), and my time would have put me at 6th in STS. The top STS driver beat me by 1.7s. I think I'll be running in SM next year (also nowhere near preparation limits), but it looks like I'll do ok.

 

*continuing to take this topic way off topic, for the last time, I promise*

I'll be in SM next season too, bye bye GS! If you come down to Tucson or SV, at least you'll have someone to run against

 

So, for an experienced autoxer going to do some track days with zero experience would you would recommend street tires (Azenis) over using the R compund autox tires (kumhos)?

I only will be buying 1 set of tires for both autox and track days to put on my extra wheels - so it looks like the Azenis may be the better choice (I'm not going for any autox point championship or anything...)

 

Thank you guys for the info and instant gratification I was seeking.

As per CSP or SM.

The last time I ran SM and posted 2nd in novice, I was close but need more practice.

We ran in SM because I was sharing my car with a good buddy who is an awesome driver and was showing me the ropes.

He not only won 1st in SM but posted the 2nd fastest time of the day overall. Not bad for an ITR with I/E and Hoosier A's.

I started in CSP an noticed quickly just how competitive it is as a class. My first CSP day I was able to keep up with and eventually best with an heavily modded R with a JRSC installed. We were both novices and both my friends and I feel that I could be very good with more track time and practice. 2002 is a new season and I'm looking to be a strong runner in either SM or CSP in 2003.

So Khumo's for the X & track
And Azenis in the spring for my daily ride

Thanks again,

A.

 

Personally, I would say "yes" to that question. It really has less to do with skill level, and more to do with experience. For your first few track events, you want to focus on learning the line, understanding brake and turn-in points, and the feel of the car at speed. You don't need any extra grip to do that, so why spend the money? Later you will focus on lap times, and it is then that you would benefit from the additional grip.

 

Personally, I would say "yes" to that question. It really has less to do with skill level, and more to do with experience. For your first few track events, you want to focus on learning the line, understanding brake and turn-in points, and the feel of the car at speed. You don't need any extra grip to do that, so why spend the money? Later you will focus on lap times, and it is then that you would benefit from the additional grip.

Agreed,

My first Auto-X I did on my Re010's and started to learn how to control the slides for smoother runs.

My second Auto-X I ran on Hoosier A's and felt a difference BUT nothing huge or that makes me think I HAVE GOT TO HAVE R compound tires. Sorry Cp's stuck. Ha ha.

I can do it and think that I will definately appreciate the Khumos by season's end. Or at least I hope I will.

BTW will a full track event destroy the Khumo's?

Thanks again,

A.

 

I have a set of kuhmo victoracers, 205/50/15's with 50% tread life left.... DC area.. $180....

-Ryan

 

Thanks for the replys and advice guys. I think I will buy a set of the Azenis and use them for both autox and track days next year...

 

ever thought of the BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD ? They do have them in 205/50R15. Just a thought....

 

I'm beginning to see a pattern here. There was an R with a JRSC at one of the Summit Point events I went to, and I passed him more than a few times. Sorry to offend anyone, but I think JRSC'd R's are slow as F***. That Mike Marsey dude may have a fast SC'd R (in a straight line) but he's put more work into his car than just about anyone else to fix all the problems that come with SCing an R. Anton, this is not me taking anything away from you - just saying that SC'd ITRs are pretty disappointing.

 

1GreyTeg,

I have been reading your posts since the first time you autoxed and I have to say that your enthusiasm is encouraging. You don't have to apologize for posting a ? if it is a reasonable one. This forum is a great source of info and pretty funny most of the time and I for one appreciate the community. Good luck in 2002 and have fun!

Victor Penner

 

Thank you Victor I appreciate that alot.

2002 is going to be fun but my challenge is to be good enough to be a serious competitor by 2003.

Ross, No problem man I'm not offended in any way. Being that it was my first X with that R I was just so surprised. I mean I realize that the driver and his skill are the most important thing but, I just figured then that it had so many more mods than me that I'd surely flounder. Not so though. I did well and he had trouble just trying to maintain traction and grip and not hit any cones or drift off course.

I truely do appreciate all the help I get here on HT and in this forum, But, some of the best support and help I've recieved has been from Chris "Rodney" and Dave "Davidnyc" they introduced me to, and nursed me through my first events.
thanks Guys,

Anton

PS It's fun to have Yasu* cheering you on too! "*owner of racing craft"