Advice needed on Ford Focus Auto-X tires

[Leticia Montanez]

I am a newbie at Auto-X, I bought some used wheels with not that great tires. Anyway, I did a practice run in San Diego and shared the car. My tires are now wasted! I would like to buy some new ones but I am a cheapskate. I notice a drastic price difference between the Toyo Proxes R1R (which was highly recommended by the Hoosier guy at FSAE event) and the Kumho ECSTA XS. Does anyone know if the Kumho ECSTA XS are worth the $$$? Or should I spend the bucks for the R1R, I will probably be doing the El Toro events since they are closer to me. I also understand that El Toro really eats up tires. I

Sincerely,

Confused cheapskate that wants more bang for the buck

[Steve Ekstrand]

If you are concerned about wear, stay far far away from the R1R, especially as we head into summer.

Bridgestone RE-11
Kumho XS

Both seem to wear a whole lot better. And most seem to say the RE-11 is the easiest to drive on.

[Kristoffer Gjevre]

...
I will probably be doing the El Toro events since they are closer to me. I also understand that El Toro really eats up tires.
...

This is what a friend told me when I asked about tire wear at El Toro compared to Cal Speedway:
"Actually this lot is not much different than CS from what I can see. There are concrete parts and asphalt parts. The grip is pretty good, but it's not like the other lot at El Toro that was so hard on the tires."
I ran once a long time ago at that other El Toro lot and that was hard on my tires, but where we ran in April at El toro was maybe even easier on the tires than CS.

[Steve Ekstrand]

Also, what size tire? The Dunlop Direzza Starspec might be a good choice depending on size.

[Leticia Montanez]

Also, what size tire? The Dunlop Direzza Starspec might be a good choice depending on size.

I currently have wheels that are 17"X7" but since I am a cheap stake, I have those on sale, so I can get smaller tires.


I would like 15x7 wheels but there doesn't seem to be very many options or any for tires in 225x45x15 or 215x45x15 without switching to R-comps . So I am thinking 205x50x15. :mrt:, or am I over thinking this?

[George Schilling]

Also, what size tire? The Dunlop Direzza Starspec might be a good choice depending on size.

I currently have wheels that are 17"X7" but since I am a cheap stake, I have those on sale, so I can get smaller tires.


I would like 15x7 wheels but there doesn't seem to be very many options or any for tires in 225x45x15 or 215x45x15 without switching to R-comps . So I am thinking 205x50x15. :mrt:, or am I over thinking this?

Leticia, since you're still very much in the learning phase, having a top notch tire for competition would seem less important than than finding something economical that is decent. If I were you, I'd lean toward some the tires that were the "tire to have" a few years ago that would still give you a satisfactory autox experience at about half the price. The older Kuhmo or Azenis RT615 are two that come to mind. Since I don't compete in a street tired class, I'm unfamilar with what's available, but maybe someone will chime in with a recommendation with my thought process in mind.

[Steve Ekstrand]

No reason to go with the older tires unless you find RE-01's on a big sale.

The new stuff isn't that much more expensive.

205-50-15's plenty fast on the ST/STS cars. Make sure 15" rims clear your brake calipers.

[Robert Puertas]

Leticia, what year Focus?

Don't get sucked into the false economy of the smaller tires. Though more expensive, it's possible a larger tire will last longer, especially on a heavier car.

[Mako Koiwai]

The Dunlop Z1 is a fabulous tire ... especially on a slightly heavier car ... for an excellent price. Very forgiving at the limit. The older Falken 615's break away fairly abruptly.

Perhaps a 16" wheel would be a good compromise. Larger tire selection in that size ... compared to 15"

[Leticia Montanez]

Leticia, what year Focus?

2005 ST - 4 door.

I was also considering a 16 wheel as well.

[Kurt Rahn]

+1 for the Star Specs. I have them on my car and they've been awesome!

BTW, you mentioned that El Toro is closer to you than AAA Speedway, but I see from your signature that you're in Altadena, which is right next to me (Sierra Madre). It usually takes me about 45 min to get to Fontana, and a little over an hour to get to El Toro, particularly if there's traffic. If you're in Altadena, you might consider coming to one of the AAA events as well. Otherwise, you'll be missing out on a lot of our events.

[Leticia Montanez]

Thanks Kurt, I checked out the calendar that one is way closer then San Diego, I will be headed out to AAA Speedway in September, hope I don't wear out the new tires by then.

[Darren Cole]

Kurt has an awesome avatar!

+1 for cheaper tires. The falken 615 is good, Hancook Z212 if you can get it cheap. I run the General tire UHP for practices. It is cheap, huge size selection and is a good tire for daily driving. Also the Falken 912 (all season) was rated well by grassroots motor sports mag for a budget tire. Burn up the cheap tires on practice days, worry about the good stuff (direzza, RE-11, etc) for Champ days later.

[Leticia Montanez]

Thanks all,

I just acquired some 16" wheels and I am picking up my Kumho ECSTA XS from Americas tires on Monday, they were willing to match TireRack's price at $95 a piece. See you all there!! I am ready to burn some rubber, oh don't laugh too much at my times this will be my second practice in a car that is not mine. Oh, I will be in a black Ford Focus.

[Steve Ekstrand]

Just whack the peanut gallery with your hockey stick!