gman3280

I spent last weekend at the track for the first time with my new to me GT3. The car was amazing and much different than my BMW track rat. I was really disappointed though with the Sumitomo tires on track that the PO had on the car when I bought it. Yea, I know, they weren’t designed for the track. Ideally I’d like to put something like Star Specs or R-S3’s on the car but they don’t come in our stock 18” diameter size. I am also not a fan of the premium price and slightly above average reviews of the Michelins. I expect to take out the GT3 about twice per year to the track then just spirited street driving. The car is my DD but I drive less than 3K per year. Has anyone tried the XL rated Falken Azenis 453's?

http://www.falkentire.com/Tires/Pass...enis-FK-453-41

Thanks in advance.

Burger

No experience with the Falken, but the Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08 is a good double duty option in stock sizes.

gman3280

I've heard good things about that tire from the BMW world but in my searching of this forum several have commented that its not a good choice becuase the tire doesn't carry the XL load rating. I don't know enough about tire load ratings to determine on my own if going without an XL rating is a marginal risk that I'm willing to accept.

Rovman

Agree Burger,

I run the Advan AD08 in stock sizes on my track/ DE GT3 and I am most impressed with the tire. Great performance on the track, with great performance on the street.

Short story, my last track day (which was a 3 hour drive away) the weather was horrible with really hard rain for one hour of the trip. The tires did a stellar job in evacuating rain from under the tires, ecpecially the wide back tires. I was able to keep up with traffic throughout the whole rain storm. No sliding, spinning, or any nonsense. Participated on 2 days of hard track after adjusting pressures. Than adjust pressures for street use and drive home. No worries.

85Gold

+ 1000 I have run AD08 for years One Lap, track and street, over 8 sets, crisp turn in, outstanding grip for a street tire and like heat. Shoot for no more than 38 psi hot. Azeni do not like heat and I was unimpressed with the XS, which really suck on the wet and wear really fast.

Peter

gman3280

So what I understand is that the AD08 is pretty good all around. Street, track and in the wet.

What's with all this discussion I've uncovered regarding N or XL rated tires? No basis for concern?

85Gold

N spec is what Porsche/Michelin use to designate tires they have collaborated on. Most of us have moved forward from that point and run NT01, Hoosier, RA1, etc and never looked back.

Peter

gman3280

Great, now know what N means. What about the fact that the tires are not XL load rated? Seems that real world expirence from those that have commented give me the idea there isn't an issue.

Burger

Not sure. You could call Tire Rack and ask them about load ratings. They have info on their site, but it's not clear what the implications are when going from an XL to an SL, if any for a sports car.

I know for speed rating, they run the tire under load for something like 8 hours at speed to qualify for a specific rating.

gman3280

I did call Tire Rack. All he could tell me was that the non XL rating still exceeded what Porsche recommended.

brad@tirerack.com

Some OEM Porsche tires are XL rated, and some are not. If sized correctly, all have proper load rating for the car. XL rated tires won't flex as much under lateral stress and as a result are less likely to be subjected to track related temps.

The issue at hand is not one of load capacity as it is the tire's ability to handle the heat it will produce when driven to it's limit. The Sumitomos are really not designed to be track tires as you have seen. They will work, but special care will need to be taken to assure they don't get too hot. We don't sell Falken, so I cannot promise that a 453 will do better, Given it's appearance, stated rubber composition, and reputation - I doubt they will do any better than an HTRZ III will do under the same stresses. I am confident the AD08 will do much better than either of the other two under track-type conditions. It's a much more robust tire with more attention made (construction and rubber compound) to that level of performance.

This is a great example of taking the time to match the tire you buy to the performance level that you can expect out of them. Don't buy a performance summer tire when what you really need is an extreme performance or DOT track tire like Cups or R888's.

Please call me if I can help.

TomGT3

Love the AD-08, them perform great on the street, track, and autocross.
Make sure to flip them for better wear.

85Gold

Something else I have found when you hit around 2/32 left they go away in a big way. You get to practice your counter steering in a big way. Not sure if it is heat cycles or compound change.

Peter

gman3280

Damon, I left you a message with my contact info to discuss further.

Thanks everyone else for your comments. Seems that the AD08's are a good option based on real world expirence.

Gofishracing

Damon always has good advice ! Hi Damon- speak to you soon!!