TRM Posted January 8, 2005 Share Posted January 8, 2005 i'm seriously contemplating a set for my track rims this year...but i'm put off by the price. this is exclusively for HPDEs. i don't auto-x. i've heard nothing but great things about the RA1's - they should be exactly what i need this year for a set of dedicated track rims/tires. i guess you get what you pay for these days. but does anyone have experience with comparable track tires like Kuhmo or Falken which will provide the same level of performance but at a less expensive price? tia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted January 9, 2005 Share Posted January 9, 2005 IMO, Kuhmo Victoracers have better grip than the Toyos. But they don't last as long. Hoosier road race compounds are even stickier (and lighter) but last even less... Falkens are a good alternative - they are cheap, provide reasonable grip and last pretty well. The problem with them is that they are only available in limited sizes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp99gt Posted January 9, 2005 Share Posted January 9, 2005 Another guy and myself who have Mustangs have run the Nitto RII road racing radials, and they have been a good dedicated track tire as well. They have been cheaper than the RA-1's, and I get 6-8 track days out of a set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zee Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 I ran the Falkens in both 16" and 15" on my two Volvos (known for big understeer). About five track events and 10-15 auto-x's. Several of my instructors said the car had pretty good grip. the 15's are almost done. the 16' still looking good after 3 track days. Figure a full season on a set -- I'd say 6 days at least. I understand the new model is made to be even better in the rain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white_2kgt Posted January 10, 2005 Share Posted January 10, 2005 Another guy and myself who have Mustangs have run the Nitto RII road racing radials, and they have been a good dedicated track tire as well. They have been cheaper than the RA-1's, and I get 6-8 track days out of a set. I get 2x that much track time out of full tread RA1's. --chad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp99gt Posted January 11, 2005 Share Posted January 11, 2005 Another guy and myself who have Mustangs have run the Nitto RII road racing radials, and they have been a good dedicated track tire as well. They have been cheaper than the RA-1's, and I get 6-8 track days out of a set. I get 2x that much track time out of full tread RA1's. --chad Depends on your regular tracks. Mid-Ohio grooved the concrete this year, and BeaveRun north course, which is fairly new, has been hard on tires until recently. Nelson Ledges, with 90mph+ lap speeds and rough new pavement, is also pretty hard on tire wear. Gingerman and Putnam Park seem gentler on my tires. It also depends on your driving style and how much you push the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tapaule Posted January 11, 2005 Share Posted January 11, 2005 Why use race tires for HPDE? I think if you keep using street tires, you will learn to drive the car to the limit of the car and tires better. Race tires will give you better lap times, but they can also mislead you with their better lap times and high limits. I suggest this as I have found I learn more when I am on bad tires, or there's an issue with my car and I am forced to be smooth or easy on the car, yet still go as fast as I can in a race. What HPDE group do you run in? If you have been running in 3 or 4 for a while and are looking for additional speed, then I'd say RA1s, Hankooks and the Kumhos are all pretty good. I have run some enduros on Yoko Advans, and they are not as sticky as the ones I just mentioned, they seem like they will last longer. Also, rotate the tires and slip them on the rim if one side starts to wear before the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white_2kgt Posted January 11, 2005 Share Posted January 11, 2005 Why use race tires for HPDE? So when you decide to start racing you know what they feel like --chad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp99gt Posted January 12, 2005 Share Posted January 12, 2005 Why use race tires for HPDE? To add to what Chad said, when you start running faster, you'll heat up your tires more - and street rubber can't take that, so you'll start chunking tires. A set of R-compounds over several track days is a LOT cheaper than buying a new set of street tires every 1-2 days of track time. That said, stay with street tires until the speeds you drive at reach this point. You'll learn more since street tires provide more pronounced feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white_2kgt Posted January 12, 2005 Share Posted January 12, 2005 Why use race tires for HPDE? To add to what Chad said, when you start running faster, you'll heat up your tires more - and street rubber can't take that, so you'll start chunking tires. A set of R-compounds over several track days is a LOT cheaper than buying a new set of street tires every 1-2 days of track time. That said, stay with street tires until the speeds you drive at reach this point. You'll learn more since street tires provide more pronounced feedback. That and 17" race tires are much cheaper than 18" street tires --chad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tapaule Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 True, true. I should have noted that unless you are tearing up street tires you probably don't need race tires That being said race tires are a heck of a lot of fun to drive on when you swap over from street tires! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rka99Sport Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 Any thoughts or opinionson the Hankooks? I happen to have a set of them, which I was going to use for some HPDE/lapping days? I also use them for my not so important autox days. Rene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NASA Jim Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 I know a couple people who have used Hankooks on their SE-Rs and they liked them. Wear better than a Kumho and more grip that a Toyo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white_2kgt Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 more grip that a Toyo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NASA Jim Posted January 14, 2005 Share Posted January 14, 2005 more grip that a Toyo. I mean than, not that. In my experience, as DOT competition tires go: Grip, high to low: Kumho, Hankook, Toyo Durability, high to low: Toyo, Hankook, Kumho I'm not talking street tires here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rka99Sport Posted January 15, 2005 Share Posted January 15, 2005 Thanks Jim for the info. Rene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heeltoer Posted February 8, 2005 Share Posted February 8, 2005 another good alternative are the dunlop super sport race tires. they come only in limited sizes (some 17, mostly 18) but are super cheap. the 265/18 is only 130. this will probably make it cheaper than street rubber (almost half price compared to my S03). http://www.tirerack.com their wear and grip characteristics are pretty much like the RA1s. Ive heard they might be a little bit less grippy than RA1s, were talkin tenths, but becuase of their price, better. enjoy -heeltoer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Sicgt Posted February 9, 2005 Share Posted February 9, 2005 more grip that a Toyo. I mean than, not that. In my experience, as DOT competition tires go: Grip, high to low: Kumho, Hankook, Toyo Durability, high to low: Toyo, Hankook, Kumho I'm not talking street tires here. It might be me, but I don't see many of you comparing the Nitto 555rII to those other tires. Or even the Avon or Yokomo comp tires. I know my dad and I have been running the Nitto's on our stangs (97 GT, and 03 Cobra) and they have been lasting pretty well. The traction is great too. Probably much better than I expected. Anyone else have feedback on them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp99gt Posted February 9, 2005 Share Posted February 9, 2005 It might be me, but I don't see many of you comparing the Nitto 555rII to those other tires. Or even the Avon or Yokomo comp tires. I know my dad and I have been running the Nitto's on our stangs (97 GT, and 03 Cobra) and they have been lasting pretty well. The traction is great too. Probably much better than I expected. Anyone else have feedback on them? Check the 3rd and 6th posts in this thread (page 1). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Sicgt Posted February 9, 2005 Share Posted February 9, 2005 I know I saw you, but I haven't heard of anyone else running them or even comparing them. I'm just curious to see how they stack up in other areas. I know the tracks out here on the west coast are probably alot smoother, becuase we have 5 weekends on ours and they are barely showing any real wear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jp99gt Posted February 9, 2005 Share Posted February 9, 2005 There are some threads on Corner Carvers discussing this in more detail. Check out this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 You might want to try the Michelin Pliot Sport Cups also once. They cost more than the Toyo's, they do last longer and the only tire than has more grip is the Hoosier. They do take a full lap to get up to temperature though. They will remain more consistent when run on hot days for extended periods of time. They won't go off or get real greasy like the Kuhmos'. They should last several full weekends for HPDE use no problem and on lighter cars even longer. I have heard of 40-50 heat cycles when run correctly and rotated also.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FastSaleen Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Of course, you can always get another weekend or two out of the Kuhmo tires by flipping them on the rims Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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