DOT R tires

[Clark Griswald]

Looks like I have burned through my first set of Kumho track tires. I got 7 track days and 1 autocross out of these.

Question to those with more track experience - is that typical?

Do the math and that turns out to be about $80 worth of tire for each day on the track. Yikes!

Yoko A032 are generally considered longer lasting, albeit less sticky and more expensive. How many track days are people geting out of these?

Lastly, does anyone know when the new kumho ECSTA V700 tire is supposed to be available?

[89911]

I have A032's on my street rims now. I originally used these for track use but then switched to 17 rims with Goodyear R1's. The A032R's have lasted quite long but are not as sticky as the R1's. They are making a new Michelin track tire but the price of these are more then Hoosiers. I was thinking about Kumho's next and would interested in replies. The R1's have seen 8 days of track use and the tread is still visible. Too bad they quit making them, they were a nice compromise between the higher and lower end.

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8 9 9 1 1, The last of the line.

[Jack Olsen]

Here's what I've been told. Somebody correct my mistakes.

Hoosiers - best grip, 2-3 track weekends
Kumhos - second best, 2-3 track weekends
Toyo Proxes RA-1 - 5-6 track weekends

All of these have treadware rastings of 40-50.

The Yokohama AO32Rs have a slightly more encouraging treadware rating (60). I'd be interested in anyone's track-only durability with them.

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Jack Olsen
My Rennlist page • My Pelican Gallery page • My Porsche Owners Gallery page

[Randy W]

Jack, I think you would get closer to 4-5 track weekends out of the Kuhmos (I'm assuming weekend means two days of hard use). Kumhos are not quite as sticky but tend to last longer than Hoosiers. For example in autocross, Hoosiers get about 20 runs and Kumhos about 30 runs before deteriorating. As you know, the AO32R is very long lasting - I would guess at least 8 track weekends.

Randy Wells

[cstreit]

That's pretty good wear depending on how much you are actually on the track. I go through a set of Hoosiers in about 5-6 events... But by then they are completely cashed...

[ChrisBennet]

I'm with Randy W on Kumho life. I got about 10 DE days out of mine on my '86. I would think that a bad-for-the-track alignment (no negative camber) would wear them out faster.

[orbmedia]

I use Kuhmos, and what Jack said is what I have noticed too talking to other people. I tend to get 6-8 track days and a bunch of autocrosses out of my sport tires.

[Jack Olsen]

On a related note, I'm planning on participating (along with Tyson/Brainiac) in the Open Track Challenge in the spring, and the 'trackiest' tire they allow in the touring class is the Yoko A032R.

Let me get some opinions. There are about 200 miles of freeway driving per day, as well as time trialing at the seven tracks (with two drivers). So: 1,400 freeway miles, and maybe as much as another 1,000 under track conditions. Will one set of A032Rs last through that, or should I plan to put on a fresh set midway through the week?

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Jack Olsen
My Rennlist page • My Pelican Gallery page • My Porsche Owners Gallery page

[rattlsnak]

Every time I have ridden in or drove a car with Yokos it has scared me. These are the most slippery tires I know. Kumho are very good, but nothing has been comparable to the R1's or G-Force for traction and wear, even in the wet. As far as wear goes, it really depends on the track you're driving. Road Atlanta is very easy on tires. They will last 10-12 events. Roebling Road is very tough on them. Maybe 3-4 events there.(before the resurface)
Just my opinion.........

[Randy W]

Jack, I think you will need two sets.

[lsolon]

I have the yoko's on my 72. Yes they last a long time! But when they break loose they slide like crazy. Take it from somebody who two weeks ago my car with these tires on it did a very nice 4 wheel drift right into a curb and bent my trailing arm. I will not put these tires on again after i wear them out!

[911driver]

what sizes are you folks running with the slippery yokos? I've found the A032Rs and previously A008RSs to grip very well for street drivable tires.

911driver

[Randy W]

I 'm not sure what tire pressures you guys with the slippery AO32Rs are running, but I have a feeling they may be too high. These tires do get slippery (greasy) and do let go suddenly when they get hot and the pressures rise too high. Hot pressures for AO32Rs should be about 25 front and 29 rear. Anything higher will be a problem. When pressures are kept low these tires are great for what they are designed for, an "intermediate" R tire that can be driven to the track over long distances.

Randy Wells

[lsolon]

I found the rs tires to be much better than the advans. The R-1's were the best! Don't know why they discontinued them. I'm not saying that they are bad-the advans-hell I have them!. Compared to non-R compound tires they are good. The toyo's are better and the kuhmos better than that followed by the the hoosiers. This is just my opinion and what I have heard and who i have talked with that run all these tires. I am no race car driver.
I run 32 front and 34 rear. I think I will lower the pressure as posted by randy. I do believe he knows what he is talking about-Nice car randy!!
What I found to work real well with my car was running kuhmos in the front and the advans in the back. The kuhmos got rid of all the understeer and the advans allowed me to slide the rear just a tad when i wanted.

Have fun all.
Still working on the trailing arm...

[This message has been edited by lsolon (edited 10-02-2001).]