What count as autocross "street tires?"

[Toshiro]

Hey, I'm in the market for some autocross tires, and I was wondering exactly what makes a tire elligible for the "street tire" class while autocrossing. I was thinking the "competition" tires on tire rack would be inelligible, or at least the slicks, but I noticed even the Hoosiers are "DOT Legal," which made me wonder. I've been trying to find a copy of the SCCA rules online without any real luck. Thanks!

 

[DSMSpyder99]

i know the Azeins Sports are SCCA approved as are the Toyo Proxies T1-S

 

[HokieDSM]

SCCA Street tire requirements state that a tire must be DOT certified and have a treadwear of 50 to be legal as a "street tire". Thinking of running STS/X?

 

[Toshiro]

Rad, thanks Hokie, that's what I wanted to know. I've been in ST for this whole season and I need new tires before the next event, which is, incidentally, the last event. I don't really want to change classes at the very end, even though it's not like I'm going to win anything. More than anything else I was curious if the tires I've been looking at qualify.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...h=false&partnum=245ZR7SPRACE&fromCompare1=yes

I think I'm going to go with these, they're relatively cheap IMO, and they have a treadwear rating of 60 so they qualify.

 

[mavisky]

check into the falken azenis sports at www.vulcantire.com they should last you at least one season as opposed to just a few events like those might.

 

[Toshiro]

That's a sweet price on those Falkens. I've noticed a lot of people run those at the autocrosses.

So a treadwear rating of 60 means those Dunlops will only last a few events?? I don't really understand that since one event is barely 2 or 3 miles on the odometer.

I would think the Falkens with a rating of 200 could almost be run on the street (my 280AA Yokohamas lasted about 10K street miles and a few events), and I want something really grippy for an auto-x only tire. Which should I go with to last me for the final two events of this season (which are endurance races) and most of next season?

 

[diambo4life]

I use my daily driven Falken Azenis Sport tires at the Auto-X. Even at the drag strip, they grip like a mofo!

 

[HokieDSM]

I've been running my Azenis daily since late March, and they're still holding up well. I think they'll last at least a good way through next season.

BTW - Toshiro - those Dunlops look pretty sweet - and inexpensive too, for a competition tire. But about my previous post - I rechecked, and for ST you need at least wear of 140 or better, so those won't qualify. Azenis will though, since they are 200.

Here's a good breakdown of what's allowed and whats not across the classes: SCCA AutoX Classing Comparison

 

[ldstang50]

I'm running Dunlop SP Sport FM 901. 235/45/17 93w Great tire. Have lots of grip and awesome traction in the wet. Along with AWD, they give me a big advantage in the rain

 

[mavisky]

That's a sweet price on those Falkens. I've noticed a lot of people run those at the autocrosses.

So a treadwear rating of 60 means those Dunlops will only last a few events?? I don't really understand that since one event is barely 2 or 3 miles on the odometer.

I would think the Falkens with a rating of 200 could almost be run on the street (my 280AA Yokohamas lasted about 10K street miles and a few events), and I want something really grippy for an auto-x only tire. Which should I go with to last me for the final two events of this season (which are endurance races) and most of next season?

i really don't know for sure just how long the dunlops would last, but a rating of 60 compared to 200 is quite a jump. my falkens have been run daily now for about 1500 miles and i absolutely love them. handle like the nutz and have helped drop my 60's down to low 2's at the strip which is pretty good for an open diff'd front wheel drive. and at only $75 a piece for 205/55-16's they're a friggin steal.

 

[Toshiro]

Well based on the info about "street tires" having a treadwear rating of 140 or more, I think I'm going to go for something other than the Dunlops. I would be in E-Street Prepared, and only like four people run in that class, so it wouldn't be as competetive or fun as if I stayed in street tire. Oh any Mavisky I'm running 245/45/17 so it's a bit more.

[edit] - Actually ESP has a dozen or so people in it right now, and most of them are V8s. But then again who cares? I think I might go for the Dunlops as long as they'll last me most of the season. I emailed Tire Rack, I'm going to wait for them to write me back with some (hopefully) useful info.

 

[mavisky]

Well based on the info about "street tires" having a treadwear rating of 140 or more, I think I'm going to go for something other than the Dunlops. I would be in E-Street Prepared, and only like four people run in that class, so it wouldn't be as competetive or fun as if I stayed in street tire. Oh any Mavisky I'm running 245/45/17 so it's a bit more.

[edit] - Actually ESP has a dozen or so people in it right now, and most of them are V8s. But then again who cares? I think I might go for the Dunlops as long as they'll last me most of the season. I emailed Tire Rack, I'm going to wait for them to write me back with some (hopefully) useful info.

yea i could see how those could cost you a bit more. you run those on 9" wide wheels?

 

[Toshiro]

Oops... my bad, I run 225/45/17s. I guess that was just wishful thinking. A 245/45 would be a massive tire haha.

 

[mavisky]

i was wondering. apparently dg runs 275's on his autocross car, but that's a little more than what normally fits in the wheelwells.