Need some input here. I am looking for (people with experience) the best race tires for the stock FD wheels. This is for a track/autocross setup.

What is the widest tire I can run on stock FD wheels?

Are they the best, if not what is the optimal size?

What brands have you had success with?

Where do you buy your tires--for cheap?

Shave or unshaved (well just call unshaved bush)?

Tire pressure or temperature recommendations?

No flaming, I did a search and nothing answered all of these questions and lots of the info was old.

 

Come on People, need some of that knowledge pent up in your heads!

 

I would suggest the Kumho Victoracers from Tirerack. You can get 245's for the stock rims.

 

what about v710's?

 

IMO, anyone ready for V710's probably wouldn't be asking this question.

 

My understanding it the the Kumhos get greasy with hot lapping. Anyone used these on a high-speed track?

 

Yes, I use the Kumho Victoracers for lapping. Here's a shot of them on the stock rims:

http://mahjik.homestead.com/files/FD...0040911_04.jpg

Any tire will get greasy if they overheat. Track tires, street tires, etc.. Don't overheat the tire; use proper tire pressures. Since I'm not competing, they are a great tire as I'll get more events with them than a true slick.

 

Excellent pic. Can't really see the tires though =). Where do you get these for cheap. Shaved? Heat cycled? Appreciate the input.

 

You're looking for a compromise tire here. Autox requires a tire that heats up quickly. Track work will take that kind of tire and overheat it. Conversely, a true track tire will not get hot enough for maximum autocross grip.

For autocrossing the 225/50R16 size V710 is a really great tire. Durable, sticky, and keeps up closely with the hoo$ier$.

On the track the 710 is a good competition tire but it's only really fast for one day. If you're doing track days with multiple sessions I doubt a 710 will hold up. The v700 (Victoracer) I'm told is much more durable for track days. So is the Toyo RA-1.

Given that you want to do both, I suggest the RA-1 or v700. It's safer and more predictable to have a tire that's a little too hard for autocross than if you had a tire that is too soft for heavy track use. You can also drive short distances to the track on an RA-1 or V700, at least until the tread is gone.

If you have the choice between 245/45 and 225/50 get the 245. But I believe the difference in grip is quite small. I don't think anyone is running any other size on stock rims.

If you choose the v710 I can refer you to the guy I got mine from. He competes with the v710s on the track (unshaved) and I bought my v710s with 2 heat cycles on them. I've done about 6 autox's and I have a long way to go before they're worn out. For track days I'm going to continue using street tires (was Goodyear Eagle F1s, is now Bridgestone RE-01Rs)

Dave

 

For Victoracers, if you are going to use them for AutoX don't have them shaved. If you plan to use them strictly for road courses, have them shaved. For heat cycling, you can do that on your own (i.e. inflate them about 5-7 PSI over normal, run the tires on the highway for about 20-30 minutes, take them off and let them cool).

Where to buy? Tirerack.

 

What about the Hankook Z214. Didn't they win the GRM DOT comparison?

Also, what is the advantage of running the 245/45 over the 225/50? There is a significant price difference between these sizes and I was wondering if it was worth the cost especially since tirerack.com recommends the 225/50.

The kumhos are $185 for the 245/45 and $165 for the 225/50

The Hankooks are $199 for the 245/45 and $171 for the 225/50

 

Also, tirerack does not carry the Hankooks

 

I forgot: frisbyracetire.com has Hankook Z211s for $110/corner in 225/50R16. They are very similar to Victoracer V700s. They aren't the fastest for autocross but they will work very well at the track. For a really great price you'll have a tire that's durable, great on the track, good for autocross, and can handle short stints on the street. No shaving required, just do one good heat cycle and dismount them from the car for 1 day of rest.

The Z214 is similar to a v710: pretty good for autocross but on the track they will probably get greasy after the first session and wear very quickly.

I can't speak firsthand for the Hankooks, but I came this >< close to getting the z211s.

 

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/ima...5_tiretest.pdf

Difference between 245/45 and 225/50 at each corner is a total of 80mm (or over 3 inches) of more tread width

 

Great article. A little dated and overly focused on auto-x. Really do appreciate the info. I will have to dig up that GRM article that came out at the end of 2007 and post their results.

 

Really? If you mount a 225/50 on an 8" rim and 245/45 on an 8" rim I don't remember the difference being that large.

Dave

 

It does seem like a huge with difference. Thats more then some people pack.

Excellent price on those Hankooks! I can't believe more people aren't jumping all over them, even as a spare or practice set. I think I will get a set just because.

 

Like I said, I was very close to buying them. You'll probably get the last full set out there.

Run a search on z211 because I had posted before about what I learned from a very informed Spec Miata team member.

 

Well, Hankook sponsors Spec Miata and they have to run their tires (being a spec series). That might bias things a bit.

 

The tire comparison I was referring to (and looking for) was from the GRM October 2007 issue. I can't find my copy. If anyone has a copy and can post the results, please do.

 

mikeric,

How much track experience do you currently have?

 

None in the FD. A little in my old FC and in my Miata. Here in Atlanta, there are plenty of opportunities to get more experience at Road Atlanta or Barber.

I plan on taking some classes this summer, I just need to get my FD ready. I also have quite a few friends who are track junkies with the BMW and Audi clubs as well as on two wheels and I am digging into their wealth of knowledge to help me sort out my car and get some driving pointers.

 

Here's my suggestion:

I would run your first season using a good sticky street tire like the Falken Azenis RT-615. The FD can be a tricky car to drive at its limits. It would be better to start off with something that going to be a little more driver friendly so you can feel out the limits of the car. Then as your experience increases as well as your familiarity of the FD, move up to the r-compounds.

IMO, the BMW guys aren't going to have a clue as my E46 M3 is the easiest car I've driven on a track yet, and I've driven quite a few.

 

Try the new Dunlop Direzza or the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R as a good alternative to the RT-615. The Bridgestone especially gives good feedback at the limit.

 

I haven't tried the Dunlop Direzza, but Dunlops use to be OEM for Audis. On my wife's old A4, the Dunlops punctured extremely easily. We went through quite a few Dunlops on that car over the 4 years we owned it. I've been leary on using Dunlops ever since.