Tire types

[George]

So, Everyone seems to be using either Falken, or Kumho tires.... but there are many other Ultra High Performace Summer DOT approved track/racing/street tires manufacurers: what am i missing? And what tires are reccomended for autoX? Currently I have Kumho Ecsta Supras, but they're wearing out.

[Clay Turner]

George,

A lot depends upon your class (are you in a street tire class?) and whether or not you want to run on the tires you drive to the event, or if you are willing to swap wheels/tires, or trailer your car to the event.

For the mostest stick and durability, Kumho Ecsta V710s seem to have been the hot ticket for the last 2 seasons.

Hoosier announced a new tire (the A6) today, but there's little or no word-of-mouth on it yet.

[George]

I am driving a Honda del Sol in ST2. I do want to drive the tires i plan to run the event on, to the event, but plan on taking them off as soon as i get home.... mainly because i have no trailer, and no extra room in my tiny car.

[Van]

Three popular (and cheaper) choices are th Falken Azenis RT-615, Kumho MX, and Hankook RS-2. Supposedly Hankook is coming out with a new size 225/45/15 which is slightly shorter than the popular 205/50/15. I emailed Hankook and got a response that they will be available in May. I sure hope that's true.

Van

[George]

OK, I think I narrowed my choices down to just a few: Yokohama Advan Neova, Kumho Ecsta MX, and the Hankook RS-2. Any suggestions on which one for my del Sol with 16X7 rims? And how long should i expect a new set of tires to last in Autocross?

[tronic]

You should consider the Falken Azenis 615, they're arguably the stickiest. 16" sizes are pretty limited, that'll be the determining factor for you.
The 205/40-16 Azenis would have the smallest diameter and give you the shortest gearing. Hankook RS-2's come in 205/45-16 and 215/45-16, but both would be taller. There are no appropriately sized 16" Kumho MX's, and I've never looked into the Yokohamas because these other 3 tires rule STS *and* are cheap.

You can expect a set of these type of tires to last a full season of autocross events plus some street driving. When they get low on tread they'll still be good for racing, but you'll want to avoid water on the streets.

[smarkamyth]

I'm not by any means recommending anything specific, as i don't have much street tire exp., but i do want to point out that STX was won at the 2005 Nats. on the Advans. Hankook seems to have had a good showing as well.

Maybe the Yokes are better on heavier cars? (not that this applies to you)

Smark A Myth

[tronic]

I'm not by any means recommending anything specific, as i don't have much street tire exp., but i do want to point out that STX was won at the 2005 Nats. on the Advans. Hankook seems to have had a good showing as well.
Maybe the Yokes are better on heavier cars? (not that this applies to you)
Smark A Myth
good point, I've seen the STX results and didn't mean to say the Yokohama Advan Neova wasn't a good tire.
I should have said: the Yokahama Advan Neova isn't made in any appropriate 16" sizes or even 17" sizes in a small enough diameter for his purposes.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=Yokohama&model=ADVAN+Neova+AD07
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=Kumho&model=ECSTA+MX
http://www.vulcantire.com/azenis_rt615_t.htm
http://www.hankooktireusa.com/pdf/uploads/Ventus%20RS2%20Z212.pdf

[Proxenus]

The neova is really good if you can afford them, and/or if you can find a size that will fit on your car.

Performance and price-wise the Falken rt-615 is a good choice.

Next choice after that would be the Hankooks. Almost as good as the falkens but the sidewalls are slightly weaker.

If you have a heavier car I would not recommend the kumho mx tire.