DE Tires for 15 inch wheels

[mtnfir]

Hey all,
The DE bug has bit me and I think I'm infected. In fact I don't even think having to look at a panamera would cure me from loving my P car. I am in the position to pick up a set of 15 inch fuchs or cookie cutters (my choice) for dirt cheap. they will be strictly for DE or autocross use. My question is this, are there any good tires left for that size wheel? I don't want street tires as that is what i have for regular use, I want "race tires" whatever that is, slicks I suppose . Can somebody point me in the right direction? Yes I have used the search button, but the posts seemed somewhat outdated.
Thanks

[CMDR Perry]

I run 15 inch Kumho Victoracers, check out the Tire Rack's website. They have good grip, wear well and are reasonably priced.

[88-diamondblue]

Good selection of tires for 15 r-comps Kumho Victoracer, Toyo r-888 & RA-1 if you can find them, BF Goodrich, Nitto NT-01. I have used the Victoracer and it was great, just didn't like the look for street tire. The track ruined street driving, well just the street driving I shouldn't do anyway

[HarryD]

You will be just fine on your 15" wheels. I suspect much of the availabilty talk has to do with Street tires. If you go the Competiton tire route, you have lots of choices:

Hoosiers (A6 or R6) [gold standard of sports car racing tires];
Kuhmo Victoracers or V710's;
Yokohama Advan A048;
Goodrich R-1's;
Michelin Pilot Sport Cups;
Toyo RA-1 or R888.

I just picked up a set of Toyo R888 for my car in the above size in preparation for next year.

[NathanR]

I ran RA-1s on the street and Auto-X for a season (and they still have pretty good tread) on 14 inch wheels. For some reason R-compound tires are more available at smaller diameters than UHP street tires. FWIW, rain is not much of an issue in the summer where I live.

Cheers,
Nathan

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

If you're just starting DEs, you're much better off on 15s and maybe slightly smaller tires. You're frankly not good enough yet to handle big meats, and you'll learn a lot more with tires that have less grip. Remember, you're not going for lap time, you're going for pushing your car to as close as you can reasonably get to its limits, safely. Too many people go to DEs thinking they're racecar drivers (you'll recognize them by the squeaky-clean fireproof driving suits...) rather than students. The last thing you need is slicks.

It's like learning to correct skids when you're a kid with a Camaro: do you go out into the high school parking lot after the first snowstorm, or do you go find a dry sweeper exit from an Interstate and hit at at 100?

I use Toyo RA1s on 15" Fuchs.

[mtnfir]

Originally Posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson

If you're just starting DEs, you're much better off on 15s and maybe slightly smaller tires. You're frankly not good enough yet to handle big meats, and you'll learn a lot more with tires that have less grip. Remember, you're not going for lap time, you're going for pushing your car to as close as you can reasonably get to its limits, safely. Too many people go to DEs thinking they're racecar drivers (you'll recognize them by the squeaky-clean fireproof driving suits...) rather than students. The last thing you need is slicks.

It's like learning to correct skids when you're a kid with a Camaro: do you go out into the high school parking lot after the first snowstorm, or do you go find a dry sweeper exit from an Interstate and hit at at 100?

I use Toyo RA1s on 15" Fuchs.

No fire suit for me yet. I just got nomex shoes though. Next year will be my second season and I just got passed up into the illustrious ranks of solo. I'm kidding on the illustriuos part. My instructors have all suggested a set of dedicated track wheels. The car is gradually getting a bit tricked out (as much as you can for an 87). Thus far brakes have been the biggest upgrade along with SSI and Wong. Just taking things one step at a time.
thanks for the help.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Good attitude, and yes, certainly track wheels are a good idea--no sense tearing up expensive road tires when Rs are so much cheaper, particularly Toyos.

I never got beyond the Momo shoes either, and they probably aren't even fire-resistant. Just cute.