THSCC Forums

So with the Franks my only CS competition registered for the first event, I'm seriously thinking of making the jump to stickies. Looking for some suggestions for my "stock" Miata with 15x6 wheels. Looking for good performance, good price, good wear - not necessarily in that order. For these reasons, Hoosiers are out. Basically, I'm willing to trade a few 10ths for price/performance.

Standard Options and analysis based on what I've read:

Kumho Victos in 205/50/15: Good Price ($), Good Wear(+), forgiving to setup, would probably be my default tire, no 225/45 size (-)

Avon Tech-R in 225/45/15: -$$$, +traction, =wear, +good size

Kumho V710 in 205/50/15: -$$, +traction, -wear, -no 225/45 size

Kumho V700 in 225/45/15: -$$$, =traction, =wear, +good size, -needs shaved, probably go Tech-R for the difference in price

As a side note, since I will always have a tire warmer... er, co-driving wife... might harder compounds be an option? Would Toyo RA-1's work with this setup? How "bad" is a cold RA1 compared to an equivalently cold Azenis that I'm running now?

Thanks for the input!

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Dustin Fredrickson
-- I'm a nobody --

i've heard good things about the tech-r's...ask les...he can tell ya from experience.

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05 MCS

I'd go with the 205/50-15 Victoracer to start. it's a little more forgiving than the other options, it also might last a bit longer (I've only got 4 runs on the V710, so I might be wrong).

I've also got news for you, you don't have a tire warmer, Malia does. If you want to spend all her money on tires, then you better make sure they handle right on her first run

Scott

First thing, wear is subjective Trust me, Laurinburg will tear any r-comp tire up. The Hoosiers last as long or longer than the old Victoracers. I imagine the new V710's will last just as long too. But that is only 60 or so runs. So with two drivers and only 4 runs per event a set of r-comp will last one THSCC season, best case scenerio! If you are only running THSCC events, budget for two sets of tires for the season. And do not lock up the front brakes

I would receommend the Victoracers. There is a lot of set up information around for those and they are cheap. Get them before they are gone.

Are you wanting to move to r-comps for the experience and natural progression or are you moving to keep up with the Franks? If you are trying to keep up with the Franks, save your money and stick with street tires. They are going to out spend you. If you are planning on 2 sets for the season, they will have 6 sets available. They are far more serious and are going to have a lot of tire available for local events.

If you want to step up, grab some Victoracers and have at it. You will not want to go back to street tires though

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

I agree it's subjective. It takes me 120 runs typically to cord Victoracers. I'm not exactly driving easy on them, but I rarely overdrive, and I do have good camber. I have NEVER heard of someone getting 100+ runs on Hoosiers in any conditions.

So big YMMV.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

I think that Jim's point (and I agree with it) is that a Victoracer will still be well past it's prime when it cords. Back when Sally and I ran Victoracers we would get rid of them before they corded, at the disposal point, they gripped about the same as a street tire, but were a lot less forgiving.

Scott

I agree that the Victo is a really good tire.

The one problem with the Victoracers for the Miata is that you cannot get them in a 225/45. The Miata is simply easier to drive on the 225s than the 205s and it's a hair faster. Plus, the 225s last longer!!! The edge of the tire does not roll over as much with the 225, hence it takes longer to wear out the edge of the tire which is where most of them cord.

My suggestion if you decide to run a 205 - then go with the 710s. I understand that it's a wide 205. It's about halfway in price between the Victo & the Hoosier.

If you decide to go with a 225/45 then either the Avon or the Kumho Ecsta V700 is good choice.

Though, I guess you can make a good argument that the Victoracer lasts so long that it will still outlast the other tires, even if it's a 205. Tim and I ran Victos on his 1999 Miata one season and would get a maximum of 80 runs out of them...that usually included making our final runs on steel - seriously. I expect that you'd get that amout of runs out of the Avons or V700. Also, you could use this year as a chance to get used to stickies and go with the Victos (which would be your least expensive alternative). Then when you burn through those you guys can decide what tire to step up to.

That probably didn't help you a lot

Dustin, regardless of what you buy, based on how you've been driving, you'll be very fast on any of those tires...you really can't go wrong.

Good luck,
Eric

Another possibility that I just ran across is the Hankook Ventus. The only option for 15 inch wheels is a 205-50. Also available in some limited 16 and 17 inch sizes. http://www.hankooktireusa.com/pdf/uploads/Z214.pdf

I've got a bunch of used 225 45 15 A3SO4 Hoosiers for sale, price depends on how many runs on them + age. Even have a couple sets of S03s that have been stored in black bags in my basement I'll let go REAL cheap! Also a set of ~ 1/2 worn Azenis.
We will enjoy the competition.

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

Chuck,
ARe the AO3's and Aziens 15's Also?

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David Teague
2015 Lexus IS 250c
1994 Honda Del Sol HS 39
2009 Dodge Journey R/T
http://teaguefamily.us

Yes, all from our Celica.

_________________
SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.