245/45/16 auto-x tires
 

Hi guys,

I used to run Kuhmo Victoracers in 245/45/16 on my FD for auto-x, I am buying another set of auto-x only tires in the next couple of days and I'm considering Victoracers or V710s in the same size.

Is there anything out there that is better? I drive the car to events on this rubber but not dailly.. I went and checked the SCCA national tour event results and see a LOT of people running Hoosiers but my past experience says that they don't last long at all but I stopped auto-xing in 2005.

Thanks for any helpful advice.

Jeff

I just bought Hankook Ventus Z214-soft tires in the same size for autocross. I haven't tried them yet. Today was my first opportunity, but it's raining and I didn't think it would be a good rain tire (go figure!). Others in our club have used these and liked them - and they are less expensive than the 710's.

Well I bought Hoosiers today, we will see how long they last....

From what I understand, the V710's are one of the top tires, but give up a small amount of time to the soft Hoosiers in exchange for a notably longer life. The V710's do like to be warmed up a bit - so the first autocross lap is not your best lap.

All good choices!

I think next time I will try the Hankooks for a back to back comparison.

The Hankooks rock. Period. Last year I was stomping Miatas that were on 255 Hoosiers. Most everyone that races with me is swearing off Hoosier now. Also, these are like 60% of the cost of the Hoosiers.

The rate of wear (according to the more experienced Hoosier owners) is phenomenal. After nearly a full season, they still look barely scuffed in. I highly recommend this tire, but I have only ever tried worn out Hoosiers before. However, I think the feedback from the guys currently running Hoosiers kinda says it all. :)

Here's a quick video of an incredibly small autocross course. I believe this was my first event on the Hankooks, and it was the first time I ever to Fastest Time of Day.... Coincidence? I think not. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtBPs...1&feature=plcp


.

Now if Hankook would only make a 285/30/18...

im not convinced about the hankooks. a local Evo went through a set of C71's in under half a season. he has coilovers and proper alignment and all that. everyone says hoosiers wear faster, but they definately dont have the life of a V710.

Evo guy ran the C71's and the V710's, he said performance was a wash. but hey, thats just one guy's opinion.

yes ive heard good things about hoosiers. but kumhos are fun and loveable. better than my toyo experience, which i still enjoyed. theyve done comparisons in various car magazines about every r compound.

I ran the Hoosiers and was just floored by all the grip. I was 4th out of 57 cars overall, putting away 3 Z06 Vettes wearing Hoosiers as well. Two were C6, one was a C5. Got beat by a gutted STI and a full race 280Z. I was the fastest car with windows, lol.

That's quite good. Hoosiers are definitely the fastest when new but they'll fall off faster than the Hankook C71s or Kumho V710s.

I'd just like to buy a set of new R-comps sometime. I just haven't managed to justify spending $1100 on 16" tires that are only really good for one season.

David

I used to run new Kumhos V700 every year. I tried to run them for two seasons once but it was noticeably slower. I drove the car to events with the R compounds, 2-3k miles/yr.

The V710 is a much different animal than the V700. More grip, heats up easily. V700 is a road racing tire. V710 is for autocross and road race qualifying.

Reason I mention this is because the Hoosier will wear/heat cycle more and speed will fall off at some point. The V710 is noted for being nearly as fast but much more tolerant of heat cycling. If you drive to/from the course I think that elevates the significance of this.

David

One of the main reasons I got the Hoosiers is that they were available on short notice. I will probably try 710s next yr.

I would love to hear how long the Hoosiers hold up for you. I've been buying used v710's but since the FD is such a well balanced car (and I'm not mean to my tires) I suspect a set of Hoosiers might hold up long enough for me.

David