2009 Street Tire choices

[Mike Simanyi]

If the Yoks are in sizes that work for you, my sense is they are the top tire. They also happen to be the most expensive.

The Dunlop is probably as good in ideal conditions, but the Yok handles heat much better. The Bridgestone is supposed to be wonderful even when it's cold; the Yok sucks below about 65 degrees.

We're running in Fontana and El Toro. You make the call!

In an Exige, I think the question is more "who makes 'em in my size" rather than "which one is the best."

Mike

[Aaron Goldsmith]

If the Yoks are in sizes that work for you, my sense is they are the top tire. They also happen to be the most expensive.

The Dunlop is probably as good in ideal conditions, but the Yok handles heat much better. The Bridgestone is supposed to be wonderful even when it's cold; the Yok sucks below about 65 degrees.

We're running in Fontana and El Toro. You make the call!

In an Exige, I think the question is more "who makes 'em in my size" rather than "which one is the best."

Mike

The Dunlops were better than then Yoks in the cold and on the first run, the yokes didn't work without some heat. Yoks were better after the 4th run when the Dunlops started to go off just a bit.. other than that they were the same gripwise and they drove the same slipanglewise.

We went through multiple sets of both this year, so we had a lot of time to test them. They even like the same camber settings.

[Jason Uyeda]

Chad already knows this, but on a CST Elise/Exige I'd be running 15/17 or 17/17. Toyo and Kumho have the best sizes for 15/17 and Dunlop for 17/17...

What's up with the rumored compound differences with the Toyos?

[Jack Tsou]

I saw the Yoko AD08 at the autoshow...more sizes than the AD07.

[Bob Beamesderfer]

I would think that despite the Toyo's soft sidewall, the rain performance would make it a good choice for wet competition. Less need for ultra-sharp transitional response, more need for the ability to shed water, grip at low temps.

[Steve Ekstrand]

In standing water, the toyo's tread pattern doesn't pump water out fast enough.

[Bob Beamesderfer]

In standing water, the toyo's tread pattern doesn't pump water out fast enough.

Interesting because the previous tire was the best street tire in the wet I've ever driven. The lack of drainage on the 710 and 5 freeways was a true test, although without attempting a slalom. My only autocross in the wet on the T1-S was my first autocross. Not an accurate appraisal of the tire under those conditions.

[Richard Jung]

If the Yoks are in sizes that work for you, my sense is they are the top tire. They also happen to be the most expensive.

The Dunlop is probably as good in ideal conditions, but the Yok handles heat much better. The Bridgestone is supposed to be wonderful even when it's cold; the Yok sucks below about 65 degrees.

We're running in Fontana and El Toro. You make the call!

In an Exige, I think the question is more "who makes 'em in my size" rather than "which one is the best."

Mike

The Dunlops were better than then Yoks in the cold and on the first run, the yokes didn't work without some heat. Yoks were better after the 4th run when the Dunlops started to go off just a bit.. other than that they were the same gripwise and they drove the same slipanglewise.

We went through multiple sets of both this year, so we had a lot of time to test them. They even like the same camber settings.

Mike, have you tried the Z1 Star Specs? Much improved temp range compound over the original Z1 you had.

[Steve Ekstrand]

In standing water, the toyo's tread pattern doesn't pump water out fast enough.

Interesting because the previous tire was the best street tire in the wet I've ever driven. The lack of drainage on the 710 and 5 freeways was a true test, although without attempting a slalom. My only autocross in the wet on the T1-S was my first autocross. Not an accurate appraisal of the tire under those conditions.

Hollis was always deliberating last year.
Hot Stones
Cold Toyos
In between Mix
Wet Toyos
Flooded Stones

Atleast thats what I think I observed. He changed tires so often it was hard to keep up the recon.

[Chad Stubblefield]

I'm going to try the Kuhmo's. Cheap if I dont like them, and they make my sizes.
JLB got me the fronts 215/45/16. Running 245/40/17 rear,
JLB also hooked me up with some Custom Volks TE37's 16x7 12 lbs 17x8 13lbs

[Brian Robertson]

I just looked at many many sizes of the Kumho XS from the 205 / 50 / 15 to the 285 / 35 / 19. I have tried the 275/ 40 / 17 and you are right they are the dark horse! Who ever get there car set up with them first will jump out front first. Kyle Willians and Ken Motonishi tried the 16 I think.
Brian R.

[Eric Clements]

In standing water, the toyo's tread pattern doesn't pump water out fast enough.

E-Stock results at the Pro Finale would suggest otherwise, like beating Hoosier radial wets.

[Mako Koiwai]

The Toyo T1S and then the Goodyear GS-D3 with the almost identical tread pattern have always been among the best tested rain tires. I happen to have the Toyo's on my Suby Grocery Getter ... in my first race ('03) ... very wet:

[Ken Motonishi]

Dude Mako,

You crushed Uyeda and I in that event by almost 2 secs! Actually I remember that event quite well since we were on R comps in a stiff RWD car in the rain. I actually was leaving the line in 2nd gear since 1st gear was completely useless (as I discovered on run #1) and that's in a car with only 218 ft/lbs TQ.

[Mako Koiwai]

Not my fault that I accidentally had the right tires.

[Steve Ekstrand]

Are you saying the Toyo T1S and the R1R have the same tread pattern???

[Mako Koiwai]

Ah ... I must have been thinking of the newer (compared to the TS1) TR1 Toyo that a few people have like for rain. But the R1R is of the same sort of, general tread pattern ilk ... but you're right, with the bigger blocks it would seem to not drain as well ... on the other hand Eric says it has won in the wet over the rain specific Hoosier Wets.





On the other hand ... perhaps the tread design isn't THAT important for water evacuation. The Tire Rack did a test where they ran a directional tire backwards, in the wet, and it was only something like 0.1 seconds slower over a I believe 45 second course, then with the tire run in the proper direction. Statistically equal.

[Roger Ang]

Yokohama previewed the new Neova at the LA auto show. According to their press release at that time, the new tire (Neova AD08) would be available mid-2009. Sounds like they won't be out by the 4/30 SCCA cutoff.

[John Edwards]

You's guys w/big rims have it easy to find a wide variety of tyre combinations. The Fiat 850 Sedan has 13" wheels and I need something in the 20" to 21" diameter range, this led me to getting a set of 175-50/13 Sumitomo HTR 200 (20") and installing them on 6" Panasports, they work pretty well on the little pisspot. Cetainly not the best, but I just can't seem to find anything else. 22"+ diameter stuff jacks the car too high up in the air and that can lead to other problems - like standing on your head - not so fun. Any suggestions welcome. I guess if I go to GP, slicks will be the trye of the day and there are a lot of choices.

John...

[Kurt Rahn]

On the 850, you could almost use kart tires ;)

[Steve Ekstrand]

You won't be the first using HTR's when trying to find 13's. Not a lot to choose from.
Toyo used to have a 13" in something. I'd search that too.

[Mike Shin]

You won't be the first using HTR's when trying to find 13's. Not a lot to choose from.
Toyo used to have a 13" in something. I'd search that too.

In the 13in range it would be the RA1 and R888 DOT-R's.