More Tire Talk
 

I just realized my first event is only a couple weeks away and I need tires. Since I'm still pretty new at this stuff, 9 days in '03, I think I'll stick with street tires for at least part of this season.

So, I'm looking for some modestly priced street tires that will get me through at least 2-3 weekends. I'm looking at the Kumho 712, Kumho MX and maybe the Yoko es100's. Any experience with these? These will be stock size on 16's. 032's are coming, but I dont want to get ahead of myself.


Thanks for any insight!

Hi Chris,

You are wise to continue with street tires... they are cheaper, give you more warning as you approach the limits, and are more resistant to flat spotting if you spin.

I think any of the 3 tires you listed are a good choice as an inexpensive tire that can stand up to light track use. Of the three, the Ecsta MX will probably give you the most grip for the $$$ and hold up to the heat and stress of the track just a bit better than the other two.

Note, the above is mostly opinion, since I only have direct experience with the 712's... that's what I've been using for the past two years. I've been happy with mine, but they aren't the grippiest tire. They do seem to take a lot of abuse without falling apart.

Several Dorki's have ES100's and have used them on the track... I'm sure they'll speak up soon.

Falken is another low-priced brand you may want to consider. Auto-x people like 'em, but I don't know if they hold up on the track.

Have a set of 712s for Linda’s Carrera for track use. They work well but “squeal” like no tomorrow, even with track pressures! Look good, feel good… 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.

Thanks for the advice guys, just what I was looking for. :D

Chris:

I have ES100s on my Targa and have run them on the track for a few DEs / HPDCs. They are a good cheap tire that does all of the things John mentioned [warn of letting go, don't fade away to much when hot, provide adequate wet traction, etc...] I really haven't put that many street miles on them but they seem to be holding up well. They are a comfortable compromise for our wonderful NOVA streets. :evil:

Like all compromise street tires that aren't "Type R" they will curl on the edge of the tread block and cup on the shoulder if pushed to hard for to long.

Shaved Toyo Proxes RA-1s and Yoko 008Rs or now the A032s are your best bet for a dedicated track tire (meaning, drive there, put them on, use them, take them off, drive home]. This is what I run on the track and they last.

You could also go "CRAZY" and try these 10.5" and 14":

http://www.dorkiphus.com/porsche/mod...dyears_001.jpg :wink:

Of course, YMMV, IMHO, etc...

Jase

Guys, when you're just starting out, you need to be on street tires for at least the first two years. Myriad reasons behind this, but paramount is that "R" tires cover lots and lots ofmistakes. Mistakes you will never rid yourself of, for a very, very long time. Yes, street tires will not make you as fast as (fill in the blank). Yes, street tires don't stick as well as "R" tires. Yes, you need that learning experience to more fully take advantage of the particular handling characteristics of a Porsche. Hold off on the "R" or uprated tires. . .put your money into safety equipment, instead. Once you're safely in Blue and looking for White, THEN strap on the comp rubber and smoke all those around you!

I'm going to do the high performance driving clinic in my wifes VW Passat. I hope I didn't make a mistake by purchasing two sets of Goodyear race slicks. In my latest copy of "Import Tuner" they said these make Acura Type R's super fast in the quarter. So I figure they would be super fast on a track like Summit Point. Any input from you track experts?

Ted (Smackpipes) Thomas

Should have put the $$ into the rebuild! I just took a set of "slicks" off a Carrera Targa you could have had free (slick down to the cord).

Pipes :lol:

Perfect!!!!

Jase

Smackpipes, some purple neon under the car would set those tires off nicely and probably improve your times too. I think you're on the right, uh, track....

Getting a little twitchie with your engine scattered across the continent, I see.

:roll:


Bill