Need Help with AutoX Tires

[jmh61]

I like running Kumho VictoRacers in 225/50/15 on all 4 wheels for AutoX. They work well cold and have enough tread pattern that I can drive them to events without sliding off a damp road.

Called my tire store yesterday and was informed the are on backorder, no estimated availability date. Called Tirerack, same thing, told me they've been backordered for months, will be at least 90 days before they're available. I need tires sooner.

The only comparable tire I've found in that size is the Yokohama Advan A408, but I have no experience with it and I'm not excited about paying $50 more per tire. So two questions:

1. Anyone got any experience with the Yokohamas in AutoX.

2. Any other tire suggestions? Wheels are 15x7, 8 Fuchs.

[crikett]

Haven't used the Advan so I can't comment on that. I went from V700s to V710s a long time back, but while it is possible to drive to/from events on these, it isn't really advisable (I did this a few times on V710s until a rainy day came along and have been changing wheels after I get there ever since). If you have other wheels, then you might consider a good lightweight jack and just changing after you get there (and then looking at the V710s or Hoosiers or similar).

Other route would be trying to find someone with the V710s in stock... the following came up on Google and they weren't listed as out of stock, but doesn't mean they actually have them:

KUMHO TIRES VICTORACER V700 - Starting from $164.00 Featuring Free Warranty and Free Freight - Tires from Performance Plus Tire

Mazda Performance Parts: Kumho Ecsta V710 225/50-15 mounted and balanced!

Might be worth checking race shops that deal with a lot of Spec Miatas too as I think that is the same size typically fitted if they run V710s.

[racer]

Many tires coming from Japan (and even Korea) are having production problems right now (some are effects of the japanese quake months ago).

If you "need" tires, then you "need tires" and 225-50-15 are not an overly common size for performance brands. Maybe you can be our guinea pig

225-50-15, maybe try 225-45-15 as well.

Hankook RS3? Toyo RA1 or R888? come to mind to me, but I don't know if they also have production issues.

Last time I used Yokes they were A032Rs. Loud tire not nearly as sticky as the then current Comp TA R1 or Victoracers

You might look over the popular scca "street tire" brands but most don't come in 15" sizes.

[jmh61]

Thanks for the replies.

Crikett, Thanks for the links, but they don't have them either.

racer, Looks like I'm the guinea pig.

I called a friend that has the Yokos on his Lotus. He said that they're OK on the track but they have to get warm, so probably not the best for AutoX.

It appears I've either got to go to DOT slicks, Kumho V710 et al, and cart tires to the track or go to a harder compound tire like the one of the Toyo's, RA1 or R1R, or the Hankook RS-3.

I think I can use a 225/45/15 instead of the 225/50/15 if needed.

I guess I've got to decide if I want convenience or to be as competitive as possible.

[ERN911]

John, I've run all the tire's mentioned above the yoko's are my least fav. for autocross just not enough grip, although I fall into the same situation you do with tire size I'm now running nitto's nt01 in the 225-45-15 and it's actually a decent tire for the money and the lower profile over the 50series makes acceleration a little better. But for Parade I'll be on v710 or hoosier's.


Ernie

[racer]

Originally Posted by ERN911

But for Parade I'll be on v710 or hoosier's.
Ernie

While just a guess here, but should I wear my "beat howard" or "beat ernie" t-shirt

[joetiii]

I have used the Hankooks with the autocross compound for a couple of years now. Nice grip, good turn in and responsive feel. I never compared them sided to side w other R comps but over on the SCCA site, they held their own.

My street tires are the Toyo R888. Being a 130 wear rating, the grip level is down compared to true R comps and times go up 1-2 seconds. The R888 performs extremely well in the wet.

Hope this helps.

[ERN911]

racer, wear the beat Howard one I don't believe I've seeing that one.


Ernie

[jmh61]

Thanks guys,

Looks like I'm going to be changing tires at the event. I'm considering:

Kumho V710 in 225/50/15

Hankook Z214 soft in 225/45/15

Does anyone have experience with both tires? If so, is there an appreciable performance difference between the two?

John

[crikett]

I've not driven the Hankook, though have heard good things and that it is probably a little faster than the V710 (I have V710s in 225/50/15s, but considering either the Hoosier A6 or the soft Hankook for a set of 16" wheels I have).

However the difference shouldn't be too great, and you may find the V710 more to your liking or at least more familar (given your prior experience with the Victoracer).

[jmh61]

Thanks crikett,

I discussed it with my wrench and he thought I'd end up having to raise the car with the 45 series, it's pretty low now, so I'm going with the V710s in 225/505/15.

Thanks again for the help.

[racer]

225-50-15 vs 225-45-15 is only about a 1/2" drop in overall height between the two.