What is the hot street tire? Options

[CMC #37]

Seems like this is always changing, I have to make a recommendation to a buddy. He drives an '00 WS6 TA and likes the occasional autox/RR school. Recommendations? Price is not as important as quality, performance and *some* durability.

[Absolut Speed]

If you consider Nitto R2's a street tire, that's probably the way to go. If street tire means by SCCA's definition, for our cars, it's probably the Firehawk SZ50's, but at best, their production is on indefinite hold, or the Kumho Ecsta MX's.

I don't know where the new Goodyear F1GS's fall in that line though.

[John_D.]

Here's a link to a Tirerack test of 3 performance street tires. Dry and wet conditions. The F1 GS-D3, Bridgestone S-03, and Michelin PS-2. (they threw a Goodyear RS-A in the mix as a reference point).

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/mi_ps2..._nextGen_c.html

Last weekend I ran my F1 tires in a "for fun" f-body autocross. Against a group of V8 cars, a WRX, and a Gran Prix GTX (supercharged and some SLP parts).

With those tires, a 35/21 bar combo, eibachs and konis, (and a blower on my v6) I had the fastest time of the day.... 37/35 psi. Probably could have run faster if I'd played with the pressures. Several of the v8 cars were running racing tires too.... The F1's definitely held their own out there...

My tires are a 9" tread width. Narrower than 275/40 17's. They're 245/40 18's. I imagine a 10" tread width would be even better. Only reason I got the 245's was because of STX last year. They have a lot of tread (85%) left. That's a year of street driving, several (8+) autocrosses, and Evolution Phase 1 and Phase 2 classes on them.


I might try a set of the Toyo RA1's next time around. Probably a little more grip and a little less mileage. I love the wet grip of my tires though... So I might just stay with the F1's.

[robz71lm7]

John are you talking about the Bash at Beech Bend? I didn't know that was you. I was there in my white B4C. I drove horribly that day. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

The WRX and I were the only ones on decent race rubber. Patrick in the dirty black SS was on 3 year old V700's out back and 1 year old V700's up front. A couple guys had nitto drag radials on the rear only.

Nice car and times! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[John_D.]

Cool! Yes, that was me.

I remember seeing your B4C car now too.

I didn't think the WRX was that fast, but he posted a 13.2 on his 1/4 mile time. That was quite a bit ahead of my 13.6 time. So he had more grunt than I thought he did. Maybe because his car was so quiet, it just didn't seem as fast. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Yeah, I figured Patrick would take first place again this year. He was pretty fast when I tried my very first autocross at the Bash 2 years ago.

[Chris 96 WS6]

Yeah John made the MTFBA proud (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

I would have been there but I was neck deep in a gear install all day.

[Formula WS6]

i hope you are referring to GSD3 F1s. i just wore out my F1 GS tires. they were great til i got on the autox course. granted im not much of a driver but those tires sucked outed there. they werent bad in the mountians and were great in the rain.

the D3s though im loving so far and ive only been on the street. im hoping to get to the next autox and try them out but im unsure right now. i hope they are everything they seem to be and hold up well.

[John_D.]

i hope you are referring to GSD3 F1s.

That would be the ones! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[WOOS1]

A couple guys had nitto drag radials on the rear only.

Yup. I would be one of those. I was too lazy to change tires after the week I had had (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) For the first time, I was actually semi-impressed with the Nitto 555' s on the front.

[LT4Firehawk]

I use the Nitto 555R IIs as street tires, but then I don't drive it much in the rain either (although they do fine in the rain as long as they have tread). They are actually one of the best tires I've ever used as far as ride comfort and noise level, and thre grip level is outstanding (both lateral and putting the power down). The last set I had (on my 92 Vette) lasted about 10K miles of combined street/track use before I retired them to track only use (were just past the wear bars).

[Formula WS6]

since we are on the subject of street tires, what about a RWL tire? does a good performance RWL tire exist? id be looking for something to put on my 79 TA later this year. since its rolling on the factory 15 in snowflakes i have to have RWL tires. its just too classic of a look to mess with.

glad to hear the GSD3s did well. cant wait to get mine out there and really push them.

[Timz06]

The kumho ecsta mx is a great street tire. I run them on my z06. Ran them last year at vir, and when they heat up they stick pretty well, managed a 2:17 on them. They are also fun because they squawl like you wouldn't believe, and are very predictable. This is a really good tire to run in the rain as well. In a nutshell, great tire for a good price.

Tim