evo8dad

iTrader: (15)

I wanted to get some opinions on tires. Ones for strictly track use but, DOT approved. And tires that are used for both track and street. When I mean race, I mean autox and occassional track attack.

I am currently running Nitto NT555 (I know ) for their god tread life and descent track use. I've been looking at the Bridgestone 750s, Falkens RTs (?), Yokohamas and BFGs.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

evojim

iTrader: (1)

I too faced same question a while back. After some research, here is my conclusion:

1) track only: toyo RA1
2) street and track: OEM yoko avans.

I was debating if I should use RA1 or OEM on the track only. After talking to some driving instructors, for a new or intermdiate skilled track driver, it is better to use OEM, since they don't hide your mistake as well as RA1, so you learn more. I am will use OEM for a year or two track school, then I will switch to RA1 or other R-compound tires.

mike1023

iTrader: (11)

i thought people said the OEM tires suck.

1NastyEvo

iTrader: (10)

LOL, what people ? Who are you talking to man ? lollll

Gruppe-S

iTrader: (206)

for daily driving, I recommend Bridgestone s03s. All season Z rated tires. Tread wear is decent as well.

These are also decent for track events.

ashumo

iTrader: (6)

i like the s-03 i had a two sets on my STi.

dont they are much of an all season tire though. havent seen many people on the evo side talk about using them.

evo8dad

iTrader: (15)

I've talked to a couple of SCCA pros running in several series as well as Phoenix Motorsports, who prepared the CTS-V for the SCCA Speed Challenge, about this as well. Although they have very little experience with Evos they suggested the Bridgestone RS750s for track/street or even the new Falken RT-615s. They also said the BFG KDs are a good tire as well as the new Kumho Esctas.

I have heard of the RA-1s but, they have a very small tread life when driven on the street. Right now the budget can only allow for one set of tires, as I only have 1 set of wheels (for now).

Anyone running any of the above tires who can offer their opinions?

EvoTech

iTrader: (25)

Thats funny! Good luck finding a better tire than the stockers. IMO they are just as good as the RA1 on track and last a bunch longer. I have 3 track days, 2 autocross and 16,000 miles of daily driving on my ADVANS. Yeah they are now almost shot, but they do not owe me a dime. P.S I was always one of the fastest 3 cars during the track days. The Advans are the best tire I have ever driven.
The only thing that they do not do well is snow. Don't even think about it.

05 MR

Tire choices have a lot to do with overall preferences and budgets. A lot of these people have good info about what works and what doesn't. For my Evo MR, I run Bridgestone Potenza S-03's (as mentioned above) on the street with my factory BBS wheels. This tire "rocks" in the rain. This combo is perfect for daily driving (quiet too). Since cleaning the BBS wheels sucks (especially after track use), I take it easy on the street and keep cleaning to a minimum (P21 GEL baby). I definitely prefer this tire to the stock ADVAN 046's. Not only because I like them better in the rain, but overall wear is better as well. I know the post above mentioned 3 track and 2 autocross days and mileage is 16K on the 046’s. I road race only, and my 046 ADVAN's were completely toast at 4K miles (3 events; primary tracks are Road America & MAM). For track use, I picked up a set of the SSR Competitions (17" to keep it cheap, sort of) and the brand new ADVAN 048's (new in the 235/45/17 size that is). This combo is smoookin. I'd love a head to head comparison with the Hoosier, but the R3S04 isn't available in the 235 size. For other street tires, I like the Kumho Ecsta MX as a cheaper alternative. Performance isn't quite as good as the S-03's, but it's close. I'm definitely picking up a set of the ADVAN Neova's as my next "street" set to see how it compares to the Potenza. I'll follow up when I have an opinion. Good luck.

Rez90

iTrader: (17)

i have Toyo T1s's and i like them.....i dont' LOVE them...but they are a very good tire.

kekek

iTrader: (22)

Personally, right now I run cheapies on the street and RA-1's for the track.

There is no way you should really be approaching the limits of your tires on the street, for that reason I went cheap and got some Kumho 712's in 235/45-17 for stock wheels.

For autox (my goal was long life, I have a 4 month old son) I went to the Toyo RA-1's. I've got 4K miles and 7 autox's on the RA-1's and they are just now hitting the wear bars. These are on 17x9's in a 255/40-17. The RA-1's are priced pretty well around $165 and should offer better performance than the OEM tire on the track. If your car is a "fair weather friend" the RA-1's can be used on the street too.

Kyle R

iTrader: (16)

I wore out the stock advans in about 8k miles. They were actually really good on the track and I'm now running BFG KDW2's (it rains a lot in Seattle). So far I've been very happy with them, though I haven't done a track day with them yet. On the street they feel just as grippy as the advans, and a lot better in the rain.

evo8dad

iTrader: (15)

Its amazing how many different tires are ran I have autoxed my Nitto NT555s for all season (10 to 12 events so far) and they are barely showing the wear so I guess I can't complain too much.

I've been talking to alot of the World Challenge guys and some of the Pro SCCA guys and they all seem (or at least the ones who started out autoxing) either Falkens or Bridgestones. The Azenis were very popular and the Potenzas or RS750s kept popping up. The only problem is none of them drover an Evo

The new Falken RT615s look promising as do the new Kumhos, which were supposedly specially made for autoxing and street driving combined.

The stockers were good as well and lasted about 12k miles before I put them to rest

mdosu

iTrader: (6)

I have been considering s-03's but I'm concerned with thread wear on those tires. the Falken 615 seems like a better buy.

DragNRacing

iTrader: (1)

PS2's are great for dual purpose. I would go V710's for a dedicated R compound tire.