What tires for autocross?
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Burning Brakes
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What tires for autocross?
I now have a spare set of RS America wheels and I want to buy some tires to use exclusively for autocross and track events. What would you suggest I buy and from where?
Jarhead
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From: Alexandria, VA
A lot of people really like Kumho Ecstecas because they give fairly give good results on the track, but mostly because they're really cheap. Also, MPSCs (Michelin Pilot Sport Cups, I believe) are very popular but more expensive. I'm sure some of the trackaholics on the board will chime in in short order. 
Brian
Brian
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From: Santa Rosa, CA
My $0.02: A good autox tire makes a crappy track tire (in general) as they get greasey at the track and good track tires don't heat up fast enough to be much benefit in autox. Bias your choice to the events you will do most often.
Kumho ECSTA V700 or Hoosier "A" series for autox. The Kumho's heat up fast and work well and are legal for driving to and from the event.
MPSCs are great for DE but not recommended for autox as they take too long to heat up and would be a waste of money.
If really want one tire to do both, I'd probably go with Toyo RA-1's as the best compromise. If you are a beginner, don't even consider R-compound and stick to street tires like S-02A's. They will be better for you to learn on.
Kumho ECSTA V700 or Hoosier "A" series for autox. The Kumho's heat up fast and work well and are legal for driving to and from the event.
MPSCs are great for DE but not recommended for autox as they take too long to heat up and would be a waste of money.
If really want one tire to do both, I'd probably go with Toyo RA-1's as the best compromise. If you are a beginner, don't even consider R-compound and stick to street tires like S-02A's. They will be better for you to learn on.
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Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by Tom W
My $0.02: A good autox tire makes a crappy track tire (in general) as they get greasey at the track and good track tires don't heat up fast enough to be much benefit in autox. Bias your choice to the events you will do most often.
Kumho ECSTA V700 or Hoosier "A" series for autox. The Kumho's heat up fast and work well and are legal for driving to and from the event.
MPSCs are great for DE but not recommended for autox as they take too long to heat up and would be a waste of money.
If really want one tire to do both, I'd probably go with Toyo RA-1's as the best compromise. If you are a beginner, don't even consider R-compound and stick to street tires like S-02A's. They will be better for you to learn on.
Kumho ECSTA V700 or Hoosier "A" series for autox. The Kumho's heat up fast and work well and are legal for driving to and from the event.
MPSCs are great for DE but not recommended for autox as they take too long to heat up and would be a waste of money.
If really want one tire to do both, I'd probably go with Toyo RA-1's as the best compromise. If you are a beginner, don't even consider R-compound and stick to street tires like S-02A's. They will be better for you to learn on.
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From: YQU
I'm getting some MPSC's installed tomorrow (as my Toyo T1-S's are getting a little ragged) so I'll be all set for my next (second) DE this weekend... 
They will be a road tire 90% of the time and DE 10%. No AX.
I hope these are a good choice.....
Marc
They will be a road tire 90% of the time and DE 10%. No AX.
I hope these are a good choice.....
Marc
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From: Santa Rosa, CA
Red: My wife and I did our first 5-6 autocrosses on S-03's. They are a reasonable street tire (especially if you already have them - can't beat that cost) and a good tire to start autoxing with. I burned through them and then switched to the ECSTA tires. They worked well.
Marc: MPSCs are excellent track tires. My newest set in 225/255 17's were delivered for mounting today (now all I need is an engine). However, they will not last long on the street (5-7k miles tops from what friends tell me) so they will be expensive. I'd use MPS (the street tire not the r-compound MPSC) or S-02As for mostly street and occasional track use - especially if you have less than 10 or so days of DE under your belt.
Marc: MPSCs are excellent track tires. My newest set in 225/255 17's were delivered for mounting today (now all I need is an engine). However, they will not last long on the street (5-7k miles tops from what friends tell me) so they will be expensive. I'd use MPS (the street tire not the r-compound MPSC) or S-02As for mostly street and occasional track use - especially if you have less than 10 or so days of DE under your belt.
Racer
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From: Maryland
Red RS,
I had a post about this not too long ago - specifically for Autocrossing. I took most people's advice and went with the Kumho VictoRacer V700 tires. I have been really happy with them.
If you are going to just autocross, I would go with them - BUT I am not sure how they would hold up on the track..........
Flagg
I had a post about this not too long ago - specifically for Autocrossing. I took most people's advice and went with the Kumho VictoRacer V700 tires. I have been really happy with them.
If you are going to just autocross, I would go with them - BUT I am not sure how they would hold up on the track..........
Flagg
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Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by Flagg
Red RS,
I had a post about this not too long ago - specifically for Autocrossing. I took most people's advice and went with the Kumho VictoRacer V700 tires. I have been really happy with them.
If you are going to just autocross, I would go with them - BUT I am not sure how they would hold up on the track..........
Flagg
I had a post about this not too long ago - specifically for Autocrossing. I took most people's advice and went with the Kumho VictoRacer V700 tires. I have been really happy with them.
If you are going to just autocross, I would go with them - BUT I am not sure how they would hold up on the track..........
Flagg
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Racer
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From: Maryland
Hey Red,
I saw your results - I don't think you did bad at all - it was your first time! I would say you did much better than me on my first autocross........
It is fun to have people that are driving better times - because trust me - it will make you BETTER! If you started on top - you would never try anything different...........
Flagg
I saw your results - I don't think you did bad at all - it was your first time! I would say you did much better than me on my first autocross........
It is fun to have people that are driving better times - because trust me - it will make you BETTER! If you started on top - you would never try anything different...........
Flagg
Burning Brakes
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From: Texas
Good advice above. If you're going to DE the tires at all, I would go with a track capable tire because it's okay to have a less than optimal tire when autocrossing, but you may not enjoy driving hardened, greasy, overheated autocross-type tires on the track.
I've found a good compromise tire in the Victoracer. Very good at autocross but not the absolute best, and they stick very well on the track without going off too much. They'll stick better than the RA1's with the downside being they won't last as long. If longevity is important to you, go with the RA1's.
I've found a good compromise tire in the Victoracer. Very good at autocross but not the absolute best, and they stick very well on the track without going off too much. They'll stick better than the RA1's with the downside being they won't last as long. If longevity is important to you, go with the RA1's.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by David P
I've just fitted Bridgestone RE55s to C4and I've been blown away by the improvement in grip. They really are a road legal track tyre through.
DavidP
DavidP
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From: Melbourne, Australia
I don't know much about the S-03's but Weltmeister recommended the RE55s as they think they are the best track tyre on the market that fits my rims. 
SeePic of RE55 or another pic of R55s
DavidP
SeePic of RE55 or another pic of R55s
DavidP
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From: Melbourne, Australia
I should add that I'm hoping to do some track testing of tyres on Saturday with another 964 owner. If time permits we will time some laps and swap tyres and compare times.
I'll let you know how I get on. I'll also post on the Dutton Rally when I have some spare time too.
David P
I'll let you know how I get on. I'll also post on the Dutton Rally when I have some spare time too.
David P