choosing tires

[tom1977]

I would like to know what are the best options for choosing a set of tires to use at fernley. I am using 205/50/r15 on my mr2. I was told that the direzza star specs are good and so are the bridgestone re11. Being that I am a new driver and still learning, are summer tires the way to go, or should I be looking at some r compound race tires? What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance for the help.

[Kevin M]

Like autocross, you learn faster at the track by being on lesser tires. Go with the cheapest summer tire that won't roll over and die the first time you put some serious heat in them. If it were me, I'd go with the Dunlop DZ101 (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Dunlop&tireModel=Direzza+DZ101&partnum=05VR5DZ101&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes&tab=Tests) (non StarSpec model) They're very cheap and should give you quite a bit of time on the track without being totally awful.

[BillH]

Like autocross, you learn faster at the track by being on lesser tires.

Yep.

[Dean]

Hey Tom.

Skip the R compounds.

Are you autocrossing as well?

Kevin and Bill are right, the cruddier tires, the more you have to drive well/learn more, but the fun factor will be reduced.

Here is a TireRack list (http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireSearchResults.jsp?skipOver=true&width=205%2F&ratio=50&diameter=15&x=12&y=13) to choose from.

In general, the lower the treadwear number, the stickier they are and faster they will wear.

At that price, you can't go wrong with the non-star spec Dunlop Direzza DZ101s

Are they the best tire ever, no, but should last until you learn more and want to go crazy on price.

If you want to spend more now, The Ecsta XS, Star Specs, Advan Neovas and RE-11s are all probably good choices but will wear faster especially if over driven.

[vic]

Hi Tom, if you want to go fast and mask some of the problems with your car, get r- compound's. I have a set of 205s and 225s with about half their life left on them. You can have all 8 for $100. They are in CC. Call me if you are interested. 530-412-1018

[tom1977]

thank you, the list you came up with, dean, is what i had put together myself, too. thank you for the offer vic, I am going to put the money i have right now towards a new set that i choose... yes I do autocross, too. I thank you all for the point in the right direction! so the dunlops are good tires... hmmm..........................I wasnt trying to buy cheap, just something that would see me through a few more fernley events with the autocross...(I wasn't happy at my "half" session in the last pdx) I am still sold on the bridgestones.. they have been a good tire company for a long time. I never new dunlop made decent tires, the ones that i have installed over the years were molded pretty uneven....thanks!

[tom1977]

I see what you are saying about the dz101, too... Thanks!

[Dean]

Go cheap on tires and spend the savings on the driver. Seat time for the driver is by far the best investment one can make to make a car go faster. See you July 17th? :)

All of these manufacturers make pretty good stuff in these categories. I would not worry about build quality for any of them.

[Old Rallyist]

I would go with the Dunlop Z1 Star Specs. I don't do track days, but do autocross and use them everyday. Mine currently have nearly 30K miles on them so wear should not be a problem. You may find the softer sidewall of the DZ101 will result in less durability and tire life if used for track days and autocross.

In reality I would have preferred them to wear out a bit quicker to justify new tires. But then again I not the fastest driver out there and too frugal to buy new tires until these are down to the wear bars.

[tom1977]

Go cheap on tires and spend the savings on the driver. Seat time for the driver is by far the best investment one can make to make a car go faster. See you July 17th? :)

All of these manufacturers make pretty good stuff in these categories. I would not worry about build quality for any of them.
yes, i now plan on attending a second pdx. (I sold a car this weekend):D I simply need to choose a set of tires, and sit in my seat...I am now reminded to go and register...;)

[tom1977]

I am down to either the star specs, or the re11... I plan on attending as much events possible.. I understand, save a the extra few hundred and hide it for the next event...registered now...

[silvios203]

i love my star specs! they are equal (if not better) than re11 and cheaper

[noel]

I usually choose a tire based on specific goals and environment. Since you're looking to do double duty and in a hot climate, look for a tire that holds heat well. R1R and Ecsta XS are really sticky but don't hold heat well. I use those tires in a milder climate and spray with water between runs. They feel fastest when they're about 90-105 degrees before an autox run. RE-11's aren't as fast on a cold run but hold heat well and are fastest when warm (110-115).

Tracking, RE-11's hood heat well and feel consistent. I've watched cars on Toyo's get significantly slower as laps count down. Their fastest lap was their second. If you're looking for overall value, the Bridgestone's wear like iron. My ST civic friends (national level and multiple-championships) did tire testing. The Kumho and Toyo's are fast but also wear out after 6 autocrosses. The RE-11's were about .5 sec slower but last about 20 plus autocrosses.

My post is all over the place but the message I'm trying to get across is to look at your requirements and choose the tire that meets them. My suggestion would be RE-11 for track duty and autocrossing in a hot environment.

[tom1977]

I usually choose a tire based on specific goals and environment. Since you're looking to do double duty and in a hot climate, look for a tire that holds heat well. R1R and Ecsta XS are really sticky but don't hold heat well. I use those tires in a milder climate and spray with water between runs. They feel fastest when they're about 90-105 degrees before an autox run. RE-11's aren't as fast on a cold run but hold heat well and are fastest when warm (110-115).

Tracking, RE-11's hood heat well and feel consistent. I've watched cars on Toyo's get significantly slower as laps count down. Their fastest lap was their second. If you're looking for overall value, the Bridgestone's wear like iron. My ST civic friends (national level and multiple-championships) did tire testing. The Kumho and Toyo's are fast but also wear out after 6 autocrosses. The RE-11's were about .5 sec slower but last about 20 plus autocrosses.

My post is all over the place but the message I'm trying to get across is to look at your requirements and choose the tire that meets them. My suggestion would be RE-11 for track duty and autocrossing in a hot environment.
this is what i have been trying to figure out. you said it exactly. which tires hold heat the best. I am choosing these tires to use at fernley. I would like to use these for autocross as well, but I was mainly focused on the track. (I have a set of 14" that I can use too) being that tires get hard in time, and will only track so much this year, yes, i consider double dutying these tires. (track and autocross)

[tom1977]

thank you for all of your input and help. I got a 'grip' on what I am doing... for now... see you soon.

[tom1977]

Just to finish the discussion, I went with the re11, I will see what they do... thanks again.

[Dean]

It will be interesting to see how they wear and how sticky they stay. Mike K is on his third year i think on a set of RE-01s.

[silvios203]

I had the re01r and they were very good, they just wore out a bit to quick (1 auto-x season and 6 track days)

[Kevin M]

Silvio, a full season of Solo and 6 track days isn't "wearing out quick." :lol: Especially when you factor in a year or two of street driving.

[tom1977]

Silvio, a full season of Solo and 6 track days isn't "wearing out quick." :lol: Especially when you factor in a year or two of street driving.
true, if i get that kind of use, I will be happy!

[dsmith]

And I wouldn't be too concerned with tire wear at Stead: on most days I can't even get my RE-11s warm to the touch, there's so little friction with the surface. You'll get more wear in one day of PDX at RFR than you will all season at Stead.

[Cody]

Stead may not be wearing my Starspecs at an accelerated pace, but the tread blocks sure are getting rounded off.