Tires for 2012 street/autoX what to pick?

[kool350z]

Being a rookie ran stock Bridgstone Potenzza's last year. Towards the end of the season car started sliding and loosing grip. Looking for a tire that I can take to the AutoX and street. I do not want to swap tires at the events and want to stay in the same class (C stock).

Contacted Toyo, I was looking at the R1Rs. There is no milage guarantee on them, no CASC-OR discount either. Has anyone ran these both at autoX and on the street and what kind of mileage are you getting?

What is a good recommondation for a tire I can use on the road and track. I am looking to run a full provincial season and some local runs with approx 20-30k of driving on the street.

[Saj5DJ]

The 350Z being a fairly heavy car, you're probably better off on the Yoko AD08 or Dunlop Direzza Star Spec.

[sjd]

Contacted Toyo, I was looking at the R1Rs. There is no milage guarantee on them, no CASC-OR discount either.

Tires are the biggest compromise out there. You won't find a mileage guarantee on any tire that will be good for autox.

[Taylor]

20-30K is a lot of driving on R1R's IMO. They're too soft for that kind of mileage.. great competition tire though, I ran them on my S2000 for the past 2 years... well 1.5 seasons I guess.. but not much street driving on them.

I used to street drive RA-1's, but again, in the S2K, so ~8,000kms a year.

If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say you can do maybe 15 events and 15K on them and then they're not likely going to be a safe street tire anymore. But that's really a guess based on my cars wear and my experience with 1 set.

If you're not a class winner (yet), I would look for something with a bit more comprimise on the competition side.. star-specs are probably a better fit.. certainly a lot cheaper, so if they do prematurely wear out, it's less of a blow to the wallet.

[Kuruma]

I'm getting Star Specs on my heavy-ish IS300 and hoping for the best.

[darcyw]

I have star specs on my s2000 and really like them for street driving- used them for 2-3 slalom events last year.

I would like to try the Hankook rs3's as well. good price on them.

Look for a tread rating of 140 (rs-3) to 200 (star specs).

good luck
darcy

[Tashko]

Not to take the thread off-topic but since the Provincials is moving to SCCA classing you would need r-comps to stay in C-Stock, otherwise you would be in STR - Street Tire Roadster (if dodgy memory serves).

Just sayin'

edit: then again, I doubt anybody would protest you if you showed up on streets vs. their r's so I suppose you could still run C-Stock.

[Travis]

My philosophy is that if you use a tire for autox, street wear is negligible. With that in mind, always pick the fastest tire :)

As far as the fastest street tire for your car, my guess would be the Dunlop Star Spec. To make sure, check to see what people used on the Z at SCCA nationals last year.

From what I've read online for heavy Subarus the favorites seem to be just the RS-3 and Star Spec. The RS-3 might have slightly more grip but the Star Spec has better turn in response, significantly better wet grip and is more consistent in different weather. So, most people prefer the Star Spec for the WRX STI in SCCA STU Nationals.
On the other had the RS-3 is way more popular when it comes to Miatas.

What's really unexpected is that the Star Spec has a significantly higher treadwear rating than the RS-3 but I'm not sure if that also translates to autox wear.

Oh, ask Barie about his Federals. He really like them & was really quick on them.

[Saj5DJ]

Not to take the thread off-topic but since the Provincials is moving to SCCA classing you would need r-comps to stay in C-Stock, otherwise you would be in STR - Street Tire Roadster (if dodgy memory serves).

Just sayin'

edit: then again, I doubt anybody would protest you if you showed up on streets vs. their r's so I suppose you could still run C-Stock.

You can run stock classes on streets mate. Lots of our overly competitive buddies south of the border run streets as rain tires in stock classes.

[Saj5DJ]

My philosophy is that if you use a tire for autox, street wear is negligible. With that in mind, always pick the fastest tire :)

As far as the fastest street tire for your car, my guess would be the Dunlop Star Spec. To make sure, check to see what people used on the Z at SCCA nationals last year.

From what I've read online for heavy Subarus the favorites seem to be just the RS-3 and Star Spec. The RS-3 might have slightly more grip but the Star Spec has better turn in response, significantly better wet grip and is more consistent in different weather. So, most people prefer the Star Spec for the WRX STI in SCCA STU Nationals.
On the other had the RS-3 is way more popular when it comes to Miatas.

What's really unexpected is that the Star Spec has a significantly higher treadwear rating than the RS-3 but I'm not sure if that also translates to autox wear.

Oh, ask Barie about his Federals. He really like them & was really quick on them.

I did enjoy the Federals (that's the 595 RS-R). They seemed super sticky and good in rain while at full tread. However, they are soft in the side wall and they didn't last all that long, I mounted them in April, took them off in September and they were at the wear bars. Mind you, I put in a pretty full season on them, including the ATTS events at DDT and they were still good for dry events. They're super cheap too.

I think Picton, the land of tire abrasion, kicked their ass. The fact I went to 3 St Lac events on top of the double header didn't help that :)

I've heard the AD08 is good on heavy cars too, as it apparently likes the heat.

[kool350z]

Thanks guys for all the help, so far looks like the Dunlops are out, they dont have tires the fit the 350z GT OEM rims.

Checking Tire Rack these are some options Tire Rack (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?tireIndex=0&autoMake=Nissan&autoYear=2008&autoModel=350Z+Grand+Touring&autoModClar=Coupe&frontWidth=245/&frontRatio=40&frontDiameter=18&frontSortCode=54000&rearWidth=265/&rearRatio=35&rearDiameter=19&rearSortCode=57647&tab=All)


Yoko AD08
Bridgestone Potenza RE-11,
Dunlop SP Sport Maxx << way too expensive
Michelin Pilot Sport SP2< expensive
Michelin Pilot Super Sport,
Pirelli P Zero

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A are still on the car. These are the stock tires. They were ok, car would slide very nicely, meaning it was predictable, EXCEPT out of nowhere it would just loose grip unexpectidly and do a little spin. Happened at Picton and Barrie. Can't figure out how to control over/undsteer properly yet due to being a noob, but could make it slide, just not good at which end to control when sliding lol.

If I run the Yoko AD08s would I still be C Class?

[sjd]

If I run the Yoko AD08s would I still be C Class?

Yup. I'm running the AD08's this season.

[Saj5DJ]

Can't figure out how to control over/undsteer properly yet due to being a noob, but could make it slide, just not good at which end to control when sliding lol.

If I run the Yoko AD08s would I still be C Class?

Those and the RE11's would be the only ones to shoot for out of that list.

On the controlling under/over steer, I know you took the autox school last year (which is a great start), but if you feel like you'd like a bit more instruction at events, don't be afraid to ask. Alot of us would be happy to help.

[gOt_rally?]

Yup. I'm running the AD08's this season.

Does this mean you'll be running in STR?

If so I blame me adding a heavy rollbar this year if you beat me :P.

[Saj5DJ]

I was hopi... erm I mean I thought you were heading to SSM Pawel :)

[sjd]

I was hopi... erm I mean I thought you were heading to SSM Pawel :)

Yeah, I'm in STR next year and I was hopi...uh...thinking the same thing. No forced induction allowed in STR you know. :D

Not that you need that to go faster than me. :p

[gOt_rally?]

Yeah, I'm in STR next year and I was hopi...uh...thinking the same thing. No forced induction allowed in STR you know. :D

Not that you need that to go faster than me. :p

I was too but I still am waiting for a turbo kit thats not been released to the public. Given that and the fact that I will probably not be in southern ontario the whole seasons I will sadly probably not have enough time to sort out a turbo kit.

But if it makes you guys feel better I will be about 60 lbs heavier this year, and the 6 speed transmission ratios are prolly gonna hurt me some more in autox.

[sjd]

But on if it makes you guys feel better I will be about 60 lbs heavier this year, and the 6 speed transmission ratios are prolly gonna hurt me some more in autox.

That doesn't make me feel any better. :p

[Saj5DJ]

Yeah, I'm in STR next year and I was hopi...uh...thinking the same thing. No forced induction allowed in STR you know. :D

Not that you need that to go faster than me. :p

Don't worry Steve, he'll not get far. I've got his wheels, muhahahaha!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6797499671_a6894b90d7_z.jpg

[gOt_rally?]

Don't worry Steve, he'll not get far. I've got his wheels, muhahahaha!

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7003/6797499671_a6894b90d7_z.jpg

Think its time to remove my a/c and consequently lose some lbs off myself :P.

[sjd]

Think its time to remove my a/c and consequently lose some lbs off myself :P.

I'm 165 pounds already so I have an advantage there. My wife will not let me remove the A/C though.

[gOt_rally?]

I'm 165 pounds already so I have an advantage there. My wife will not let me remove the A/C though.

I think I should just buy these;

http://rev9autosport.com/jet-stream-door-handle-covers-1.html

Worth 20whp and should make up for my extra cheeseburger eating weight.

[Frank]

Have ya looked @ the Toyo R888?
I run them on a 2008 Mustang. I got 3 seasons out of the 1st set. I would install them in the spring when it was warm enough and run them thru to fall. Them the all season tire would go back on till it snowed, then the snows went on. Great grip when hot. They are 275 40 18 in size and now that I have a new car, I may sell the new set that has 1 summer on them.

[mikewolf]

I think the r1r would be a good choice for the op's situation. They are really good in the cool weather and rain which we sometimes get here.

[gOt_rally?]

I think the r1r would be a good choice for the op's situation. They are really good in the cool weather and rain which we sometimes get here.

I will defiantly agreed that with are climate the r1r is the tire to have. I absolutely loved my rs3's last year when it was hot and dry out. When cold or wet they were a nightmare and my times would increase drastically compared to dunlop or toyo users.

[Saj5DJ]

Hear you there. I did a ball freezingly cold MCO event in September with the Miata on Kumho XS's. Got completely killed by cars on Star Specs and R1R's.

[gOt_rally?]

Hear you there. I did a ball freezingly cold MCO event in September with the Miata on Kumho XS's. Got completely killed by cars on Star Specs and R1R's.

To put in in perspective a local twin charged civic did one lap of america last year on rs3's. In the skidpad challenged the civic finished 1st in dry grip, and 42nd in wet grip.

The only reason I chose the rs3 this yr is because the tires will be track and auto'x tires. R1R's are terrible in heat as John Silvia running a EK civic found out last year after he chunked full thread R1R's after several laps at mosport DDT at a ATTS touge event.

[sjd]

Hear you there. I did a ball freezingly cold MCO event in September with the Miata on Kumho XS's. Got completely killed by cars on Star Specs and R1R's.

The Yokohama Advan AD08's are almost as fast as the Star Specs and faster than the R1R in the wet.

[thgear]

how is the sound on the yoko's for daily driving?

Last time i drove them was on a Lotus and they were annoyingly loud just driving around town.

[Lloyd_]

They were quieter than my Blizzaks on the Prelude....and my worn out GSD3s. Louder than my RE760s.

That said, what the heck are you doing buying one of these tires based on road noise ;)

Get a louder exhaust

[thgear]

they were quieter than my blizzaks on the prelude....and my worn out gsd3s. Louder than my re760s.

That said, what the heck are you doing buying one of these tires based on road noise ;)

get a louder exhaust

:d

[gOt_rally?]

They were quieter than my Blizzaks on the Prelude....and my worn out GSD3s. Louder than my RE760s.

That said, what the heck are you doing buying one of these tires based on road noise ;)

Get a louder exhaust

He needs the no muffler turndown exhaust I had last year. Not only will he not hear his tires, it will be impossible to call a cone on him as people found out last year with mine :P.

[max attack]

Hear you there. I did a ball freezingly cold MCO event in September with the Miata on Kumho XS's. Got completely killed by cars on Star Specs and R1R's.

You just need 20 sq feet of wing area,huge help even with frozen slicks.;)

[Saj5DJ]

You just need 20 sq feet of wing area,huge help even with frozen slicks.;)

Would have had to scape the icicles off them first.

It's entirely possible that being out in Ottawa til 4am or so may have something to do with the days performance also.

[max attack]

Last event for me was in october and it was about +2,car was surprisingly good considering the aged hoosier slicks(non dots).

If you were partying under 4 am then the wings likely wouldn't have helped.;)(maybe redbull might've)

[redneckdzl]

I'm running rs3 next season, and i think they are a force to be reckoned with

I did a couple events the end of last season as was quite pleased with the performance, can't beat the price either, especially if your close to the border

Now just gotta get the dirty diesel back up in power

[gOt_rally?]

I'm running rs3 next season, and i think they are a force to be reckoned with

I did a couple events the end of last season as was quite pleased with the performance, can't beat the price either, especially if your close to the border

Now just gotta get the dirty diesel back up in power

They defiantly are, I was able to keep up with the hoosier crowd on hot dry days.

[vettenoir]

Hear you there. I did a ball freezingly cold MCO event in September with the Miata on Kumho XS's. Got completely killed by cars on Star Specs and R1R's.

I'll concur with the cold weather performance of the XS's. I've had my Vette out a few times in our balmy winter weather and driving on dry pavement with them in sub 10C weather is like driving a 'normal' car on a snow covered road.