Autocross tires

srb7f · 03-24-2004, 07:41 PM

What are the cheapest competition tires one should be using for autocross? I've been looking at tirerack.com, but is there a cheaper place to get them? If so, how much? All the ones I've been looking at are 205/50/15s, but I didn't see any 195/50/15s. Does anybody make competion tires in this size? Also, what is recommended for shaving/heat cycling?

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

The Kumho tires are the least expensive, and have a medium amount of grip. They'll also last decently, but not great.

The Yoko A032R is the least sticky of the competition tires, and it is not the cheapest. However, it will last and last. It probably is the most economical overall.

Not sure on shaving and cycling for autoX tires.

--DD

John Rogers · 03-24-2004, 08:57 PM

The last 195 sized tires I had were some Yokohama A008R's that are no longer available. The 205 sized Kumho's are, as Dave said, about the best deal going.

srb7f · 03-24-2004, 09:56 PM

As for the Kuhmo tires, is there a preference between Ecsta V710, Victoracer V700, or Ecsta V700? Where else are these available?

nhallman · 03-25-2004, 05:57 AM

Tire Rack is probably going to be the best place to find Kumho's unless you're looking for takeoffs (used).

I run the Victoracer V700's on my autocross car and I got about one full season out of them - (8) 6-run events and lots of fun runs, plus 2 events where I had a co-driver. They held up pretty well, though I am looking at the V710's for this season's set. Still undecided, though.

I would run 205/50/15. If you can fit the wider tire on the car, do it. It'll make a difference for autocross.

Heat cycling... buy the tires un-heat cycled, put 'em on the car. Go for a 20 minute drive so they get up to temperature. Take the tires off, put them in black plastic bags and store them at room temp for at least 3-4 days (don't leave them on the car). You're good to go, and each time you run the tires and take them off do the same thing for storage.

Shaving... not sure about this one. I ran the Victos at full tread last year, I think I'm going to get my next set shaved. I'll let you know how it works out.

sammyg2 · 03-25-2004, 10:10 AM

My pick is the old victoracers. Good grip, cheeep price, last reasonably.

There are better competition tires out there but not for that price.

I've never run the new version of the V700, I heard they can chunk when new.

sean_V8_914 · sean_V8_914's Garage

what class?

david c. · 03-27-2004, 05:51 PM

you should be considering the Falken Azenis Sport. They come in a 205/50/15 size, they are dirt cheap (like 65.00) and are basically a street legal A032R knock-off. It is the de facto tire of choice in all autocross classes that require a DOT legal tire.

Tire Rack doesn't carry them but www.discounttiredirect.com has them.

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Sorry, Dave, that is not quite correct.

The Azenis is the tire of choice for the classes that require a hard compound street tire. All of the "competition" tires are actually DOT-legal, including the A032R. Which is definitely more grippy than the Azenis, IMHO.

If you are going to run a hard-compound tire for your autocrossing, the Azenis really seems to be the way to go. If you can run a soft-compound "competition" tire, and want to do so, pretty much any of them will give better grip than any hard-compound tire.

Victoracers or A032Rs will be the most economical. The VRs cost less, but the A032Rs last longer.

--DD