[RESOLVED] What tires for SM class in AutoX?

turboAWDfanatic · 02-22-2008, 04:58 PM

Turbo and engine mods have pushed me into SM class, and I'm wondering what would be the best bang-for-the-buck tires that will give me at the very least a snowball's chance in hell to be competitive in SM. Last year I picked up some used RA-1's for practically nothing that still have a little bit of tread left and I was able to run those at a practice event. But, as tsiboosted stated in another thread, it's almost pointless to run RA-1's b/c you don't really have a chance to heat them up!

I have a second set of wheels for AutoX (17x8) and I really want to get some idea of what tires I should be looking for, but I don't have an unlimited budget. Any input would be great.

Thanks!

Zero Bar · 02-22-2008, 06:05 PM

For the money in R comp tires I think the Kumho V710 is the best. There's always the Hoosier A6 as well. There are a few less popular brands like Avon Tech R, and Hankook may still make the Z214.

I think for the money the Kumho V710 is the best. It's as fast as the Hoosier, cheaper, and lasts a long time.

turboAWDfanatic · 02-22-2008, 10:20 PM

Awesome. Thanks! Now I have a few options to work with.

Zero Bar · 02-23-2008, 07:58 AM

If that's still out of your budget Tirerack.com may still carry the old Kumho V700 or something, they aren't as fast as the new tires but they work well and are dirt cheap.

talonTSIDriver · 02-23-2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zero Bar

If that's still out of your budget Tirerack.com may still carry the old Kumho V700 or something, they aren't as fast as the new tires but they work well and are dirt cheap.

As far as I know, they are all out. They had a sale on them a few months back and they were dirt cheap.

Quote:

Originally Posted by turboAWDfanatic

But, as tsiboosted stated in another thread, it's almost pointless to run RA-1's b/c you don't really have a chance to heat them up!

I like my RA1's, BUT if i failed to stutterbox launch, I would not catch any grip till half way through. I would purposely set my stutterbox to nearly 6k rpm’s so I would spin all through 1st gear. This also depends on the course, as a slower (Honda) course they will probably suck. But on a much faster (corvette) course, they work fairly well.

The Victor Racers are a great tire, probably will be my next set.

eclipsh · 02-23-2008, 08:49 AM

If you're really on a tight budget like me and use your DD summer tires to Auto-X you might also check out the Kumho SPT tires. Running those I came in 0.2 seconds behind a highly modified SRT-4 running Hoosiers that took 1st in novice. They're surprisingly sticky for $100/pop. Oh and 245/40/17's will tuck nicely on our 1g/evo combo if you pull the fenders out a touch. But you probably already know that.

talonTSIDriver · 02-23-2008, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eclipsh

If you're really on a tight budget like me and use your DD summer tires to Auto-X you might also check out the Kumho SPT tires. Running those I came in 0.2 seconds behind a highly modified SRT-4 running Hoosiers that took 1st in novice. They're surprisingly sticky for $100/pop. Oh and 245/40/17's will tuck nicely on our 1g/evo combo if you pull the fenders out a touch. But you probably already know that.

Those SPT's work GREAT in the rain as well!!!

Other street tires that work awesome are the falken azenis 615's and Kuhmo MX's.

awdfun · 02-23-2008, 02:27 PM

I've run 17x8 with Kumho MX's (245/40's) in SM and had great luck in cooler weather. Some of our faster guys have actually gained time going to MX's from their race tires due to cooler weather and our small lot (just not enough heat to get the race tires to stick). It doesn't get real warm up here at 7000+ feet in elevation, so I can't comment on warm comparisons.

Zero Bar · 02-23-2008, 04:43 PM

It seems to be that the Bridgestone RE01R is the current fastest street tire, but it costs about as much as an R comp tire, same with the Yokohama Neova. The Falken Azenis is a great tire, it's only weakness is it's not too fast in the rain and still can overheat easily on a hot day. Hankook I think still makes the RS2 and that's a good cheaper tire thats really good in the rain.

Is Kumho still making the MX?? I read they were working on a new replacement to compliment the new RA-1 replacement, the R888.

talonTSIDriver · 02-24-2008, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zero Bar

Is Kumho still making the MX?? I read they were working on a new replacement to compliment the new RA-1 replacement, the R888.

I've seen a few places sell some MX's, but for the most part I beleave they are running the stock out. I hope the new tire is better and nearly the same price, i loved the MX's.

turboAWDfanatic · 02-25-2008, 12:48 AM

Great info guys! The VictoRacer v700's are looking really tempting. Very affordable, and the only complaints I read about it are about heating them up too much, wich won't be a problem on the AutoX.