Autocrossing tires

[mjbst111]

Well I got bit by the autocrossing bug. Didn't take long to fall in love.

Now i have an iching for good tires. Those that autocross (or don't), anyone know where and what i should get some good tires? I want to use my extra set of basket weaves, probably oversize them. 205-60 14.

Doesn't look like tire rack has anything that would be great.....

I went to a autocross school on saterday. It was a blast.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Big Daddy]

They have some good tires and ship direct

Discount Tire

 

[Kirby]

How long have you been autocrossing? Speaking from experience, and others recommendations, you really need to resist the urge to buy high performance/type R autocross tires until you have at least 10 - 12 events or a year of experience on street tires.

Street tires and average performance street tires give you audible feedback when you approach the limit of traction, and traction goes away relatively slowly, that is, you start to slide a bit, you can many times save it. Believe me, you need that learning experience FIRST to be a better driver LATER. If you go to really sticky tires too quickly, you will never learn proper car control.

Tires designed for autocross, especially R rated tires, give you just about NO audible feedback, and when they lose traction, it goes away really fast. The net result is an inexperienced driver on soft, sticky Type R tires can RUIN them the first time out. Flat spot in a spin or overheat = $400 - $600 worth of useless rubber.

I ran my first 5 or 6 events on street Contis, which howled like a dog with his B@||s caught in a fence (hehe), but it was great for learning the limits. I am now running on Pirelli PZeros, which are stickier and give a lot less feedback, but it is still there. The Pirellis have gotten me to a number of 2nd place finishes in my class. A few more events and then it is either a set of Toyos or Falkens.

You're probably thinking "Hot Tires = First Place" but there is ALOT more to it than that.... Did they tell you that to go faster you have to SLOW DOWN????

 

[mjbst111]

Yeah they were telling me not to waste any money on upgrads for the car until i got experience. I agree with that cause from driving on saturday it really seems like experience is everything. Then tires. haha.

Saturday was in introduction to autocrossing. Told us how everything works, the cones, slaloms etc. Gave us all kinds of advice then set up a skid pad and a box and a slalom, and let us do each one as many times as we wanted. It was wild. Then they joined it all and let us run the course like 10 times. I had a blast.

When i was driving it though i had michelins on the front and oversized bf's one the back. My front was just sliding out like crazy. I've used the car on both sets of tires (all four) and the difference is amazing. (as far as on the road) So i wanted to get all four decent tires. I am almost certain i know the limits of my car with skidding out and everything just from driving it for the last few years (and my style of driving) so i though it might be ok to look into getting good tires. But you are probably right. I may run on cheaper tires for a bit longer....

Yeah the slow dow to go faster is crazy. I was really able to experience that on the skid pad. i was going like 3 miles per hour faster when my tires weren't rubbing. It was wild.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Kirby]

To set the car up tightly, you should have 4 identical tires on the car. Consider a set of something like Toyo Proxes T1S or Kumho Ecsta MX or Supra. Really close to a race compound but still a street tire with some feedback. Drive to the track and race on the same tire.

After a year, go to Toyo Proxes RA1 or Kumho Ecsta V700 or Victoracer V700. You don't want to street these tires, they will wear out quicky and embed a lot of road crap (they are that sticky/soft), so you will need spare rims.

Good luck and keep us up to date!

 

[AutoXfreak]

If you want to go out and be competitave at a good cost, then you will want to check out the Falken Azenis 215 or 615. For the price you get an amazing tire that everyone at my SCCA events runs on. Check em out. You wont be dissipointed.

 

[wood_e]

My dad runs Michelin Pilot Sport Cups on his 79' 911SC. They're REALLY grippy

 

[AutoXfreak]

Pilot Sport Cups are R compound and expensive as hell!!! Azenis or Kuhmo MX's. You can use them as every day driving tires and when you get to the track, fill em up to 40 psi and kick some butt.