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BenjaminGuardiola · **Joined:** Wed May 14, 2014 8:31 am **Posts:** 84

I don't want to thread-jack, but can someone share more details about tire life with these?
I destroyed a set of 340TW tires after about 12 events and 1 driver. I did not understand tire pressure and murdered them at novice school.
Now that I have an extra set of rims, I am hoping to step up to the seemingly much faster 200TW.
Is it reasonable to expect 2 years of THSCC events with 1 driver?

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Wed Aug 05, 2015 7:56 am

BenjaminGuardiola wrote:

I don't want to thread-jack, but can someone share more details about tire life with these?
I destroyed a set of 340TW tires after about 12 events and 1 driver. I did not understand tire pressure and murdered them at novice school.
Now that I have an extra set of rims, I am hoping to step up to the seemingly much faster 200TW.
Is it reasonable to expect 2 years of THSCC events with 1 driver?

There's no easy answer to that question, but one thing to think a lot about (as a relative novice?) is how you are actually using your tires. Think about the slip angle versus lateral grip chart and how in the ideal situation you'd like to stay just to the left of the peak or in the peak area. Look at the example chart below which plots lateral load (cornering force) on the y-axis and slip angle on the x-axis. Let's assume for discussion that we're looking at the front tires for a moment.

Now go to the level on the y-axis that is about 90-95% from the peak of the chart and mentally draw a horizontal line across the chart. Note how you can generate the same cornering force at two different levels of slip angle (where the horz line intersects the curve in two spots). However, being on the right side of the peak, which of course requires a good bit more steering input, you are: (1) creating significantly more tire wear for the same grip level, and (2) have left zero room for error in that curve (since if you need *more* grip at that point, more steering input just reduces grip and you have to slow down to get back over on the left of the peak).

Sorry for the long-winded reply here. I'm just trying to make the point that some drivers almost always drive over the peak of that curve as they've come to believe that it's "faster" since it is more exciting to deal with the car in that region of grip or lack thereof. Hence you could do a tire wear test running 500 times through a sweeper corner with two drivers, two cars, achieving identical times through the corner for the entire test, but one driver manages to wear out the tires 30% faster...

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

2 years of THSCC events=20 events. Based on our average event, I'd say we get 5 runs, so that translates to 100 runs or so. Based on the data I know of, if driven properly and on a gentle car on tires like a miata, I'd say that you should be able to get 2 years out of them. Chuck is correct, don't overdrive the tires, but you should be able to get close.

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Making sure that your alignment is set up properly and remembering to rotate your tires at least once does a lot in terms of tire wear on the Miata. I haven't been particularly nice to my Rivals, but they've all worn pretty evenly across the tread without me really trying. The rears have slightly less tread than the fronts, but my alignment isn't super aggressive even though my ride height is.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Wed Aug 05, 2015 10:48 am

Chuck Branscomb wrote:

Hence you could do a tire wear test running 500 times through a sweeper corner with two drivers, two cars, achieving identical times through the corner for the entire test, but one driver manages to wear out the tires 30% faster...

The above is Chuck's version of Harry Hogge's analogy of Cole Trickle's tire testing 25 years ago. :thumbsup:

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Wed Aug 05, 2015 3:04 pm

as mentioned for myself, 2 years of autox on the same set of tires w/ 2 drivers plus track time. So, to your question, yes, 2 years is achievable driven just shy of the limits.

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Wed Aug 05, 2015 3:23 pm

While not the absolute bestest option, the new Kumho v720 showed some promise in the TR review, but is only currently available in 245/40/18 at $190 each. It was just a small gap off the RE71R, and if it comes in wider sizes (and if you are willing to wait) it may be a better fit for the cost-conscious. Maybe a quick call to TR could help clarify if Kumho is following up with more sizes?

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Aug 06, 2015 2:06 pm

I'm still on the fence on buying new tires for the mustang, but it might soften the blow if I can get these on sale. I talked to Jeb over at Discount Tire today (off of Millbrook) and he said to look for a sale around Labor day. That's about 4 weeks out and would give you plenty of time to order to be ready for the last event and the NCAC.

Jeb said he would post up the sale details once he has them. I think it's wait and see time for me right now.

Stephen Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu Aug 06, 2015 2:21 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

I'm still on the fence on buying new tires for the mustang, but it might soften the blow if I can get these on sale. I talked to Jeb over at Discount Tire today (off of Millbrook) and he said to look for a sale around Labor day. That's about 4 weeks out and would give you plenty of time to order to be ready for the last event and the NCAC.

Jeb said he would post up the sale details once he has them. I think it's wait and see time for me right now.

I talked to him about the same thing. IIRC though, I don't think the Labor Day sales would apply to the Tire Rack exclusive tires, which is the Dunlops and BFG's (I think). Might want to verify with him if you are considering one of those.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu Aug 06, 2015 2:43 pm

Stephen Westerfield wrote:

I talked to him about the same thing. IIRC though, I don't think the Labor Day sales would apply to the Tire Rack exclusive tires, which is the Dunlops and BFG's (I think). Might want to verify with him if you are considering one of those.

I did.... Said I was looking at the Bridgestones and those should be included in the sale...

jeremy gast · **Posted:** Thu Aug 06, 2015 4:43 pm

I priced the BFG's with him last week and he said he could get them in a few days.

Stephen Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu Aug 06, 2015 5:27 pm

RodneyWright wrote:

Stephen Westerfield wrote:

I talked to him about the same thing. IIRC though, I don't think the Labor Day sales would apply to the Tire Rack exclusive tires, which is the Dunlops and BFG's (I think). Might want to verify with him if you are considering one of those.

I did.... Said I was looking at the Bridgestones and those should be included in the sale...

Ooops, I meant to say that the Dunlops and BFG's would not be eligible for any sale they'd be having Labor Day.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Fri Aug 07, 2015 1:09 pm

I haven't read this thread in detail but wanted to give some RE-71R on a HEAVY car feedback.

1) They WORK for autocross and are very civilized in regard to ride and noise (for the type of tire, of course) for long drives. Much quieter than the Dunlop ZII's I ran last year.

2) They stay reasonably safe in the wet for highway driving even when worn to 4 or 5/32nds measured in the center grooves. Just slow based on vision/traffic/water in lane ruts as appropriate. Remember that any wide tire with minimal tread voids "wants" to be a water ski.

3) With lots of tread reports are that they are very good in the wet.

4) My first set has over 5500 street miles, 128 autocross runs, and 24 Pro Solo practice starts. They have not been flipped or rotated f/r. Center grooves are about 5/32 f and 4/32 rear.

5) One of the FAST FS guys in a 2015 Mustang has over 148 runs plus some track time on his but only 500 street miles.

6) I fully expect a lot more runs at close events before cord shows on the outside edges. The reason for a new set, on a different set of wheels, is for the long drives to Nationals, Pros, etc.

Hope this helps.

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Fri Aug 07, 2015 1:52 pm

DickRasmussen wrote:

I haven't read this thread in detail but wanted to give some RE-71R on a HEAVY car feedback.

1) They WORK for autocross and are very civilized in regard to ride and noise (for the type of tire, of course) for long drives. Much quieter than the Dunlop ZII's I ran last year.

2) They stay reasonably safe in the wet for highway driving even when worn to 4 or 5/32nds measured in the center grooves. Just slow based on vision/traffic/water in lane ruts as appropriate. Remember that any wide tire with minimal tread voids "wants" to be a water ski.

3) With lots of tread reports are that they are very good in the wet.

4) My first set has over 5500 street miles, 128 autocross runs, and 24 Pro Solo practice starts. They have not been flipped or rotated f/r. Center grooves are about 5/32 f and 4/32 rear.

5) One of the FAST FS guys in a 2015 Mustang has over 148 runs plus some track time on his but only 500 street miles.

6) I fully expect a lot more runs at close events before cord shows on the outside edges. The reason for a new set, on a different set of wheels, is for the long drives to Nationals, Pros, etc.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Dick, excellent report. As an aside, I see the molded tread depth on the RE71R is 8/32. Good luck at Nationals this year. It looks like you sure have been enjoying the 2015 Mustang this season!

Regards,
Chuck

Chad Culbertson · **Posted:** Fri Aug 07, 2015 4:56 pm

Dick, thanks for the feedback, i've been looking at these for the Camaro as well and that certainly eases my mind as far as longevity. I didn't want to go through tires once a season, lol.

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