Any of the DOT R-compound tires will wipe up any true street tire.
Even a "lowly" Toyo RA-1 will stick better in the dry that the top "max performance" street tire.
I believe wet weather performance was not a factor.
I believe money was not a factor.
I'd take any DOT R-compound tire over any of the street tires available if this was the case.
I've had Toyo RA-1's - beat any of the top street tires I've driven in.
...including the B.F.Goodrich KD - nice tire, but can't compete with an DOT R-compound tire.

Bridgestones tend to have softer sidewalls, and steering inputs are a little sluggish for my tastes.
I've driven RE-71, S01, and S02's.
I haven't had the luxury of driving the new S03's though.

We're running Yokohama Advan A032R's on a customers car, and it's confidence inspiring when you get too hot into a corner.
As good as the A032R is (only downside is road noise), the new A048 is supposed to be better, with a slight hit to mileage.

I don't care for Pirelli's - too overpriced.
I haven't driven on the Pirelli Corsa's though.

Short list of DOT R-Compound tires...
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup
Pirelli Corsa
Toyo RA-1
Yokohama Advan A032R
Yokohama Advan A048


-Ted

 

Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico is reasonably-priced @ <$180 each for 255/40-17. I've tried DOT race rubber on the street. Not really worth it. They pick up road debris, and you risk a puncture. In about 2000 miles the DOT race tire becomes no stickier than a P-Zero. FWIW, I've run down many open lapping track drivers on DOT race rubber. Skill, hp, suspension, and brakes help close the gap between DOT rubber and P-Zero Asimmetricos.

 

Matt,
Before you do that, think about the Toyo T1s (Not the RA-1)... I have them. Ultra light like the asimetricos, excellent wet and dry grip, available in all the sizes you need... and i got my 18" versions for well under $200.00/per at Radial in Silver Spring, so the 17's will be cheaper.... Pirelli's notoriously don't last long.... no offense Manny.

 

i have the Michellin Pilot Sports, they have great dry traction IMO, i had them on my Viper and they hooked great, so they should be fine for our 'torque-less' rx7's. once you heat them up they get pretty sticky.

 

Hey Peter,

Where is Radial in Silver Spring? Are they pretty reputable? I work in downtown Silver Spring so that would make getting new tires much easier... Oh and how are they with alignments?

Matt Walsh

 

They are very reputable... they do alot of stuff for SCCA, porsche club, etc. Here's their site:

http://WWW.RADIALTIRE.COM/

Ask for Paul Marconnes... they can also get the Pirelli's of course.

 

None taken. 12000 miles is quite good for P-Zero Asimmetrico IMO. 5000 miles is all I got from Yokohama A032R, and they were junk grip-wise.

Toyo T1-S has too high a void-to-treadblock ratio to be effective in the dry...no offense, Pete...

Tire choice is a personal preference, and personally I've had great results with P-Zero Asimmetricos as daily driver, open track, autocross tires. Wet traction is marginal, so take it easy in the pouring rain with the Asimmetricos

Cheers.

 

My friend ran the p-zeros on his GTI for a bit. He said their dry traction was overall good, but as you mentioned their wet traction could use help. Im running a different perile tire right now, made for wet traction cause the FD + rain = no no Since I live in miami, we have a dry seasno and a pouring monsoon season so I needed both. I'll probably switch to the PS2s soon since they deliver good performance in both catagorys.

 

There are lots of excellent tires that are available. They all have their own "flavor" but they are still great products; IMO there is no one "best" tire. There is just the tire that for your particular needs and money you like the best.

 

Yeah, the P-Zero Asimmetrics have a very low void-to-treadblock ratio, making it more effective for dry grip. For wet weather, the inside half of the tire has wide circumferential grooves, but the outside half has very narrow grooving, and thus is not as effective as T1-S or S-03 in sweeping water out of the contact patch's way. Buy the best possible tire you can afford. As Pirelli's ad slogan says, "Power is Nothing Without Control"...