Tire advice for a newcomer

[RA272F1]

Hello everyone -

I am just starting out in autoslalom this year and I am looking for some advice concerning tires. I plan on buying some used R compunds to start (and learn.) From the rules, it looks like my car will be grouped in D Class, Street Prep. I can fit up to 15" rims on the car. I have a couple of questions:

1. Is it better to run with a smaller diameter tire?
2. Are slicks permitted in this class or must the tire have tread?

Appreciate the help and look forward to season.

Thanks!

[J.C.]

1. Is it better to run with a smaller diameter tire?

Optimal tire size varies alot from car to car, however most production vehicles are geared to be fuel friendly so reducing overall diameter can result in improvements.



2. Are slicks permitted in this class or must the tire have tread?

R compounds are allowed in all classes.
Racing slick (non DOT) is only allowed in mod.
All tires even a "slick" need to show tread or a tread depth indicator.


Rules & Regulations:
http://solo2.casc.on.ca/info/rules.php

[MazdaMatt]

I recommend not buying R compounds to start. You will butcher the sidewalls while you learn the limits, and also using street tires to learn the limits gives you a better feel. R's make life easy, you don't learn on easy.

[RA272F1]

Thanks for the advice guys - much appreciated. A follow up question if I may...

Are these events hard on street tires? I don't want to tear up my street tires and have to replace them at the end of the summer. Would a set of used reasonable street/performance (maybe even all season) tires perhaps be a better choice to start out?

Thanks again..

[MazdaMatt]

If you can get some very used cheap street tires to mangle, that's a good idea. Or... you could be very patient and work up to the limits instead of back off to the limits... but who wants to do that?

The thing is, when you start, you generally will try to get the car to do more than it can. For example, turning and braking... you lose traction so your car turns less, then you just end up turning the wheel more trying to get it around and using the brakes more trying to slow down. Its all subtle, but it adds up to a mangled side-wall. If you are patient and keep your tires mostly straight during braking you'll not damage them much at all.

Best advice: Don't buy anything, just go to an event and try it. That's what autox is all about.

[max attack]

A spare set of wheels and a set of used RA1's(toyo R-tire)or even a new set azenis would be a pretty good way to get started.With either of these tires cost is pretty good,wear is excellent without to much concern of overheating so you can get to more events.
Trying to run 1 set of wheels for street and autox duty usually results in more $$,less grip then optimal for solo and as the summer goes on less safety on the street from reduced tread depth.
If you have a car with a common bolt pattern(4x100 civic etc)than used wheels are easy and cheap to find so it just makes sense to go that way.

[Marsh]

A spare set of wheels and a set of used RA1's(toyo R-tire)or even a new set azenis would be a pretty good way to get started.With either of these tires cost is pretty good,wear is excellent without to much concern of overheating so you can get to more events.
Trying to run 1 set of wheels for street and autox duty usually results in more $$,less grip then optimal for solo and as the summer goes on less safety on the street from reduced tread depth.
If you have a car with a common bolt pattern(4x100 civic etc)than used wheels are easy and cheap to find so it just makes sense to go that way.

I have to second that. If you do lots of events a set of summer tires used for both street and slalom will on last one season and you could be on wear bars before the season is over. I say go with either some used serious street rubber or some used R's like Toyo or Yokohama which last well. They also will be faster than street tires, but won't be competitively fast. Then if you decide to get serious and step up to Kumho 710's you can use your older R's for lapping duty.

[RA272F1]

Thanks again for all your comments and straight-up advice!

I will go with a dedicated set of tires for the events. The car I am using is my summer driver, so I would like to preserve the street rubber as long as I can.

I am attending the school next weekend and will run with my street tires. I think once I get feel for what the car (and the driver ;) ) is capable of doing, I can gauge how serious the dedicated tires will be.

Cheers!