Autocross guys, what tires are you running?

[camopaint0707]

On the stock 17 inch wheels. OEM size is 205/40/17. I was thinking of bumping up to a 215/40/17 on the stock wheels. I'm told they should fit fine and not rub going a tad wider. But what specific tire? RE-71s aren't offered in this size but the dunlop direzza's are. Personally I'm leaning toward the Falken Azenis tires. What about you guys?

 

[alexrex20]

Azenis don't heat up very quickly, but also don't overheat as quickly. RE71R is a much better autocross tire. BFG Rival is a favorite as well. I would consider the Falken as more of an open tracking type of tire, not autocross.

 

[HoboBob]

I'm running a 16" wheel with the 205/45/16 RE71R. You could also run the 215/45/16 Rival S on that wheel. With much better tire options and weight savings of ~8lbs per wheel over OEM wheels, it's easily the best option for staying in H Street.

I haven't looked yet this year to see if we have any newer/better options coming out though...

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[nickstewartroc]

I run the Azenis at the moment, ran the Federal RSRR's before. Preferred the Feds and will be going back to them when these Azenis are finished. I autocross about every month and drive aggressively on the street

 

[camopaint0707]

I'd rather not get a different set of wheels. So I'm sort of stuck with the awkward 17 inch size.

 

[CSM]

I'd rather not get a different set of wheels. So I'm sort of stuck with the awkward 17 inch size.

If you are dead set on using the OEM wheels then your best bet is the new Dunlop ZIIIs in 215/40/17. I ran the predecessor of those tires in the past and loved them.

It will not be as fast of a tire as RE71R (king of the 200TW tires right now) but you aren't going to be able to run those unless you drop to a 16" wheel as a 45 series 17" tire is going to rub on an autocross course.

 

[camopaint0707]

Yeah, rather stick with the stock wheels. I've read poor reviews though on the dunlops in the rain. I'd be daily driving on these tires in the summer.

 

[CSM]

Yeah, rather stick with the stock wheels. I've read poor reviews though on the dunlops in the rain. I'd be daily driving on these tires in the summer.

In all honesty the ZII star specs were fine in the rain for me. I was nervous about hydroplaning but that quickly faded away. I drove them through some nasty storms. as long as you're careful and not pushing the car and speeding like an idiot you'll be fine.

 

[camopaint0707]

I get they are the same pattern as the re71 but as far as I'm aware, they still don't grip the same.

 

[alexrex20]

If you think the Dunlops are bad in the rain, you shouldn't get the Falkens...

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[CSM]

I get they are the same pattern as the re71 but as far as I'm aware, they still don't grip the same.

You're right, ZIII doesn't have the same grip as RE71R. They are in a league of their own. But problem is RE71R is only in a 45 sidewall for 17" sizes, which will rub without some fender modifications on stock FiST suspension. So really the only choice you've got if you want to be decently competitive is the ZIII.

This is exactly the reason why all the top H Stock folks run 16" wheels

 

[TyphoonFiST]

On the stock 17 inch wheels. OEM size is 205/40/17. I was thinking of bumping up to a 215/40/17 on the stock wheels. I'm told they should fit fine and not rub going a tad wider. But what specific tire? RE-71s aren't offered in this size but the dunlop direzza's are. Personally I'm leaning toward the Falken Azenis tires. What about you guys?

These are another great option....I've ran them on multiple vehicles.....Great tire....great grip..... https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...WR7ECSXL&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

 

[kivnul]

... But problem is RE71R is only in a 45 sidewall for 17" sizes, which will rub without some fender modifications on stock FiST suspension. .

This is true. I run 215/45r17 RE71R's. I had to mold the fender liners to better match the steel of the car and put on some MeisterR coilovers that let me raise the ride height a tad. If you have mudflaps the tires will also barely rub on the nuts they mount with.

 

[Bizzareo]

I was previously running R888R's (which are horrible for auto x, but great for the track). I'll be running hankook RS4's this year on 17*8 dekagrams

 

[theblue]

there are two different kinds of "in the rain". Any of these are fine for driving in the rain, some are far better for racing in the rain (autoX, track)

 

[M-Sport fan]

I was previously running R888R's (which are horrible for auto x, but great for the track). I'll be running hankook RS4's this year on 17*8 dekagrams

Which size RS4?

 

[SST]

I was previously running R888R's (which are horrible for auto x, but great for the track). I'll be running hankook RS4's this year on 17*8 dekagrams

how can i tell a tire is good at autox or track? beside on review, like temperature rating?

 

[HoboBob]

how can i tell a tire is good at autox or track? beside on review, like temperature rating?

Treadwear Rating is a decent place to start. Track and autocross tires will generally have a rating of 100-200 depending on class and rules, but it's a subjective rating even for the manufacturers. Generally, a lower rating equates to more grip but also a shorter lifespan.

The simplest way to find good tires is to see what everyone else is using and stick with that. A good autocross tire will heat up quickly and provide maximum grip as soon as possible since you're only running for a minute at a time; so they don't need to manage that heat for longer periods of time. A good track tire will heat up a little slower but can maintain that level of grip for full track session. We don't have standard measurements for these sorts of things from the manufacturers (except maybe max lateral G's); so I generally rely on others to do that testing themselves and then use their advice. The "professionals" will be testing every new compound to determine which is best, and everyone else usually follows suit shortly thereafter.

 

[alexrex20]

^^^^^ That.

My opinion based on my experience and observations:

Track tires:
Falken Azenis RT615K/RT615K+
Toyo Proxes R888R
Federal 595 RS-RR

Autox tires:
BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S/Rival S 1.5
Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R

In-between:
Hankook Ventus RS-3/RS-4
Dunlop Direzza DZII/DZIII

Junk autox/track tires, but great on the street:
Nitto NT-05
Bridgestone Potenza RE-11
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A (OEM)
Toyo Proxes R1R

 

[camopaint0707]

Unless I can find a cheap set of decent 16 inch wheels. I'm not even sure what 16 inch 4x108 wheels I'd need to run a 215 wide tire all the way around.