Some new hotness Tire Tests

[CaptainSquirts]

Someone tested some new tires which include TOYO R888R, HANKOOK RS4 and BFGOODRICH RIVAL-S 1.5 in the link below.

http://www.tracktuned.com/feed/2017/3/1 ... ankook-rs4

[Solar]

Good little article! I liked the RS3s a lot, I never had an issue with grip hot or cold, (though they weren't very good in the rain) but then they got expensive, my biggest gripe about the RS3s were the sidewalls were soft,hopefully the RS4s are a little stiffer.

I still think thatmost Autocross drivers couldn't tell the difference between the Rivals, Hankooks, or Toyos on a 50 second course.

[Solar]

Delete

[Native]

It would be interesting if, after one of these tests, they go around again blind to which tires are which, and see if they really can tell or not...

[Z1NONLY]

FWIW, I tested both the Rival S 1.5's and the RE71's back to back at Dixie and, although the times were almost identical, the way they felt while driving at the limit was very different.

[Loren]

FWIW, I tested both the Rival S 1.5's and the RE71's back to back at Dixie and, although the times were almost identical, the way they felt while driving at the limit was very different.

Fantastic introduction. Please continue!

[Z1NONLY]

FWIW, I tested both the Rival S 1.5's and the RE71's back to back at Dixie and, although the times were almost identical, the way they felt while driving at the limit was very different.

Fantastic introduction. Please continue!

I got a set of Rival S 1.5's for the Pro Solo in Ft Myers since Bridgestone doesn't pay contingency for Pro's. The 1.5's don't seem to have the longitudinal grip of the RE71's but the 1.5's lateral grip is great and breaks-away in a much more progressive fashion. The downside to the gradual break-away characteristics of the 1.5's is vagueness in the steering feel. This may not be a problem in classes where you can run wider wheels to better-accommodate the tires, but I had a difficult time hitting apexes with single steering inputs with a 225/45 on a 7" wide wheel. (The same-size RE-71's feel sharp and precise on the same wheel) I felt like I was playing a game of "Marco, Polo" with every steering input. The 1.5 S's also still like heat. (need heat actually)

When I was able to get the same times with both tires on the Dixie test & Tune, I decided to run the RE71's because we were running in the first heat, in the cold. (And I like the more-direct feel of the RE71's)

I can see myself running the 1.5's in the hotter months or for higher-heat events like enduro's and/or visits to the mountains.

[twistedwankel]

I asked Tire Rack when they'd be doing an evaluation of the RE71 vs RS4 vs new Nexen 200 tires and was told they will start all testing when the weather in Indiana reaches 60F.

So that probably means next month mid April? I'll wait. But those aren't FL temps by any means. Probably have 4-5 events left in my tires so will keep money in check book.

[Loren]

So, the RE-71 is still the reighning king of street tires. And we've got a set on the FASTiva... shame it's not running!

[Solar]

I just checked out the new RS4s at Tire Rack, wow, they are really getting pricey. One of the reasons I've cut way back on autocrossing was the price of tires, I sure hope the Nexens stay somewhat cheap and available.

[RedBRZ80]

So my 2 cents. The 71s and 1.5rivals are top tier. Rs4 might be a half step down, nexans and others a step lower. So ask yourself, do I want to spend top $ on top tire, or is the good enough tire worth the trade off. You don't get something for nothing. The $600 tire will almost never be as good "in top hands" as a $1000 tire.

We have guys show up in cars ranging from $500 to $100,000 so budgets are wide ranging to say the least, not even factoring in talent

[twistedwankel]

So my 2 cents. The 71s and 1.5rivals are top tier. Rs4 might be a half step down, nexans and others a step lower. So ask yourself, do I want to spend top $ on top tire, or is the good enough tire worth the trade off. You don't get something for nothing. The $600 tire will almost never be as good "in top hands" as a $1000 tire.

We have guys show up in cars ranging from $500 to $100,000 so budgets are wide ranging to say the least, not even factoring in talent

One has to run 11 events to trophy in SCCA. One has to run 5 events to "trophy" in FAST. $400 in tire savings represents about 10 Events. MUCH more seat time. I am only getting 45 concrete runs to 4/32" (1/2 gone) out of RE71's (assuming they will last past the wear bars) which is 1/3 as many as I have gotten out of EVERY other cheaper set of 140-200-240 racing tires over 5 years AND I have always trophied for those years in multiple classes with different cars. I didn't trophy (except once in the rain) when I was running 15" Kumho AS 400uq's 8 years ago with an 84 AOD Mustang. I think I had more fun doing that. People were making fun of my "shithouse" tires until I drifted the whole course and didn't hit anything. Everyone had a blast driving my wife's Crown Vic 205mm AS 450q at the Dog Track and no one cared I finished DFL BUT I still won a sticker

Sticky tires and torque make up for a lot of sloppy driving is all. I drive cars with no payment book and compete with my billfold. My teeth get dry from smiling so much. So I have to lick my chops with each new competition.

[RedBRZ80]

My point Doug was basically, pick the tire that fits your needs(budget, life, performance) but budget and performance are typically on opposite sides of the coin.

See ya Sunday!

[aw614]

its great having 15in tires, prices are more than reasonable for top tires