Danno

So ah... I'm trying to find a tire for this next year's OTC event. Rules have changed and requires 140-treadwear or above for Touring Class.

Anyone know of any tires with 140-treadwear? And how do they perform?

I'm leaning towards the OEM Potenza-SO2 tires that have 140. The aftermarket SO2s have 180. But OEM sizes are too small for me.

I'll be running 255/40-17 front and 275/40-17 or 315/35-17 rear. Any suggestions greatly appreciated, thanks! <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

M758

Falken Azenis.... I hear there are the choice for autocross when guys need 140 plus...

Don't know about how good they are for track duty though...

I Think GRM had a review of these either last month or the one before.

Steve Lavigne

Don't just go by the treadwear rating. By that logic, the Yokohama AVSi at 160 treadwear would blow the doors off the BFG KD at 200. This is definitely not the case. Also, the tread design is a significant consideration. IMHO, simple, large treadblocks mean less tire squirm, less heat, and less grease.

The Azenis sport isn't available in large enough sizes for your use. If I was in your shoes, I would go with either the Kumho MX or the BFG KD. I'd probably give the Kumho the nod because they are much cheaper and aren't side specific (left/right).

Also, I just noticed that Kumho sells a 285/40-17 tire. That may be just the thing to squeeze a little extra rubber under your car without having to widen the fenders. Too bad they didn't make it a 285/35-17.

GRM had a great tire test a couple of months ago. Their findings seemed to say that the BFG KD had the best track peformance, and the Kumho MX trailed VERY slightly. Their findings are somewhat echoed by a tire test on Tire Rack's site:
<a href="http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testResultsModel.jsp?tireModel=Ecsta+MX&tireMake=Kumho" target="_blank">Tire Rack Tire Test</a>

dk944s2

Hey Danno,

I'm 2/3rds through a set of the Falken Azenis tires, and they're great. In PCA auto-X (San Diego region), they're the top pick in Street Stock, which requires a tread wear # of 100 or greater (the Falkens rate at 200, but as you know, this # isn't always a true indicator of compound softness). The guys I run with also speak highly of the BFG g-force KDs, but they cost at least 50 percent more per tire. For reference, my last set of tires were Potenza S-03s, and the Falkens seem to have at least equal grip and longevity, along with a grooved-slick tread that stands up to abuse quite well.

That OTC looks like a blast. I think I play softball against one of the OTC competitors--in fact, I think he's a founder/organizer. His name's Doug Hayashi, and we play in a Huntington Beach league. I've never spoken with him, but I recognized his name on the softball standings sheet. Do you race at Thunder Hill? There are some off-camber turns there that are wicked fun!

Danno

Yah, I know that joker Hayashi, gonna kick his *** at the OTC!

As for the Azenis, I haven't been able to find any reviews of them vs. the BFG-KD or Kumho-MX yet. Read that they actually hold up pretty well as they get abused and heated up, vs. BFG-KD which tends to get greasy.

So what are the lap-time differences that you've noticed between similar cars running the Azenis vs. BFG-KDs?

We actually get to do Thunderhill twice this year since we lost the Sears Point course... grrhhh.... <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

Steve Lavigne

[quote]Originally posted by Danno:
<strong>As for the Azenis, I haven't been able to find any reviews of them vs. the BFG-KD or Kumho-MX yet. Read that they actually hold up pretty well as they get abused and heated up, vs. BFG-KD which tends to get greasy. </strong><hr></blockquote>

I of course don't have any empirical data, but I have read the opposite in GRM. They said that the Azenis tended to get greasy and the KD soldiered along pretty well. Makes sense since the Azenis is largely designed to be an autocross tire. I could fax you the GRM article if you would like, though it is primarily focused on AX use. Still, the Azenis isn't available in sizes close to what you will need for your 16 valve stand alone efi big turbo equipped 951.

DJF1

My vote goes to the original P-Zero Asymetrico front and rear. I tried the S0'2 and on the dry they do not hold a candle in comparison to the P-Zero's. Used to run them on my 968 and run rings around a lot of fast cars on R-tires. They are very progressive and give you tons of feedback plus when warm they stick like glue. On the 968 I found Hot pressures around 37 psi to work best.
On my 911 37 front 39 rear Hot. On the wet they are not so good though..

Doug944s2

Sorry; not up to speed on what sizes the Azenis is offered in. I know there are a lot of 911 owners with 16-in. wheels that would buy a set in an instant if the sizes were available.

Not a big enough sample size in our group with the BFGs for any telling lap-time comparisons, but I'd say 75 percent of the Street Stockers (including the year-end class winners) are running the Falkens. I wish I could afford to run sets back-to-back to compare.

Danno

Steve, I think perhaps I got my reviews mixed up with the Azenis & BFG-KD. Or was it the KDs vs. something else? V700? Anyway, I've heard about the Azenis from too many ricers, which disqualifies them automatically. All these tire choices are getting too confusing, why can't they just make everyone run a spec tire and be done with it! <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" /> <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" /> <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

Yes, please fax me that GRM article. Same phone# as always, just hit SEND before it rings. thanks! <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

David Ray

For the money the Azenis are the ones to abuse, however, right now selection is minimal at the best. Doubt they have your size. Most Discount Tires, American Tires will match or beat any Internet pricing. Use it to your advantage.

For the record Yoko AVS ES' blow!