fast_freddy

Like many, I am on a constant quest for the perfect tire that's good for both AutoX and DE. I understand the attributes that are beneficial for each of those events might compromise performance in the other. In the past I have used Michelin PS2's which were pretty good for AutoX (didn't use for DE), Bridgestone RE01-R's which were total crap for AutoX and "OK" for DE's and lastly Bridgestone RE11's which were "OK" for AutoX but not nearly as fast as PS2's (-1 second for a 42 second AutoX) and haven't tried in DE's but did on a large Kart track (55 second laps) and they got slippery after 10-11 laps but were "OK" in the meantime.

I'm looking at going full retard and getting a set of either PS Cups (which I had on my former GT3) or set of Toyo Proxes RA1's or R888's. Size wise I was going to run 235/40x18's Front and 285/30x18's Rear. I've run the 225/40x18Front and 265/35x18Rear combo in the past and was pleased with the neutral balance between the sizes. I prefer a neutral to neutral/oversteery car and in the past ran the 225/285 combo and wasn't crazy about the understeeriness.

What do you guys think about the sizes (235F/285R) as I'm looking for a bit more grip but want to maintain the "neutral ratio" between the F and R tires?

As it relates to the tires themselves, I want something that has good grip in an AutoX (I understand it wont come up to full temp) but also wont get greasy in no time flat in a DE. I also want to be able to drive the car on the tires if I don't feel like taking them off after I drive home on them from a AutoX/DE for a few days. Considering all that, I have a "sympathetic" driving style and don't put a lot of heat into tires quickly.

Car is and will remain aligned to RS specs with RS/Evo uprights and tie rods, Elephant Racing RS spec hardness bushings both front and rear. Bilstein HD's/H&R springs, turbo sways. Also, I might go full on full retard later and do PSS10's along with RS adjustable sways. The car is a daily driver in fair weather but will use regular street tires (RE11's) for that.

If you think I'm a knucklehead for wanting any of the aforementioned tires and have another suggestion select "other" and tell me what you think...

Thanks in advance for all your help guys!

Paddy

Everybody knows you never go full retard! I'd go with the R888 if I were in your shoes. Very sticky out the box and I was very happy with the performance. They were 4 seconds slower than a Hoosier R6 at VIR with full tread and they also worked well in the wet at NJMP and Mid-Ohio. I got about 12 days out of the rears. The fronts still have 50% tread. I take them off and give them to my RX7 buddy to run as rears.

mongrelcat

I can't really add anything but I'll be paying attention to the replies. Shouldn't Direzza Star Spec's be on the list?

fast_freddy

They're somewhat similar to PS2's not so much the ones in the poll.

Bill Verburg

how about PS2 245/35 & 285/30 x18

but 235/40 & 285/30 in general is a better combo than 225/40 & 285/30, the unfortunate thing is that there are few manufacturers that offer both sizes in the same tire line

aj986s

IMHO, the RA1's are the best bang for the buck. Close to anything else in peak performance. But don't suffer from a narrow "sweet spot of opportunity". The R888's for example have demonstrated a bit more peak performance, but they start falling off after 4-8 heat cycles. RA1's seem to just get better and better until cord shows, often more than 25 heat cycles. In my family, we have 3 cars which all run RA1's at autox's and DE's. Only my 944Cup car is different; it runs on Hoosier R6's.

If budget is no object, and you're looking to win-win-win, then the Sport Cups and R888's might be better. But you'll be changing tires more often.

NC TRACKRAT

I also vote for the RA1's. They're not as noisy as the R888's, they're great dry and adequate in the rain (until they get way down). If you're not driving a long distance, you can drive 'em to and from the track. To get your money's worth, start them out at full tread. You can run 'em right outa the box w/o heat-cycling, too. Sadly, with a staggered set-up, you can't rotate 'em but you can get them flipped. When they get way down, you can run them in the reverse of their directional arrows. The tires are like a faithful dog. They just keep on giving and ask only to be looked after.

VNTGSPD

Kumho V710

Very good at Autox
Very good at DE - but can get a little greasy in 100+ weather especially if "overdriven"
Good street manners for limited use
Good wear
Decent price

Based on your other options, the second choice would be Toyo RA-1 but they will get smoked by the V710s

Falcondrivr

I love my Dirizza Star Specs. They come up to temp really fast for autox, and I've had no greasy problems at Sebring for DE. I'm using 225/275-F/R. Full set from tire rack is $850 delivered. Last auto x I beat Dan Shields (9 time national champ) in his BoxterS with RE-11s.

trophy

+1 On the star specs. These are a very good tire and perform much better that PS-2's. I have data supporting 1.2+ g's with these tires on our local road course.

Don't be too quick to discount them. (or any other in the same class Kumho XS, Falken RT-615k, etc.)

cdmdriver

One more for the star specs!

fast_freddy

Yep, have the RE11's now and frankly they are grossly over rated. I bought them as a less expensive substitute for PS2's and have been nothing but disappointed. They are easily one second slower in a 40~ second Auto-X than PS/2's which seem to be about the same as Star Specs.

Doesnt shock me... I have a buddy who does AutoX with me who drives them on a New Audi TT. He used to have PS/2's and ran around 1.25 seconds behind me and replace the PS/2's with the Star Specs at the same time I replaced the PS/2's with the RE11's. Now he runs about .25-.3 seconds behind me.

Thanks!


Overall, I want a tire that is a bit grippier than "Hot" street tires as all it is going to see is AutoX and DE duty and be driven to and from the venues.

Nollie

I'm about to give Kumho XS a shot for autox, they'd probably do alright for DE too.

993Brendan

I've ran Kumho V710s for autocross and DE for a couple of years and couldn't be happier. I even drove to and from the track on them (about 45 minutes each way) and still posted top times. I'd still run them except that I don't autocross much anymore and found a good source for used Hoosier R6s.

aaronutk

I've been running Kumho XS after using the MX. A good bit stickier than the MX, but similar feel. Ran them at Barber and really liked them.