Best tire for STS (90 Civic Si)

[Marshall Grice]

So the extra grip acquired on the DOT stock legal 225's (vs DOT 195/205) doesn't translate across to the "street" compounds? Even though the "streets" of today are probably way ahead of the "DOT" tires of 10+ years ago?

Why less contact patch would be better?

it has to do with tire construction. The stiffer the tire the less they like being crammed on skinny wheels.

[Jeff Wong]

You really have to try them out and see if they work well or not.

We have had people on this board claim the Toyo R1R's do not work if the ambient temps are over 90 degrees, yet Toyo in ST has won every single CSCC event... even in those blazing hot summer days.

Based on the tire pressures that I run, I've found that the Toyo's work better when it is streched out on a rim. A 225/45/15 Toyo R1R on a 7.5" rim moves too much, the 195/50/15 Toyo R1R on a 7.5" feels solid. Sebastian is running a 7" rim with 195/50/15, I think he likes them... The 195's transistioned better, had more precise turn in and you could feel when the tires have reached the limit. I would be interested in trying the 225's on a 8.5 - 9" wheel but I don't think that would fit on the civic without transforming it to SP.

[Steve Ekstrand]

It might be better if fully optimized, ie with full sidewall support of 7.5" rims. But insert a compromise, like 6" wheels and I'd go with the smaller tire in this case.
Lot of unknowns, the compound in the toyo seems to test the same. But it seems like all the fast toyos are 195's from two years ago. That makes the data suspect. But two years in a row the 195 Toyo has won.

I thought two things going into this year. First, that eventually the 225 would be faster when the setup was developed further.
Second, that going to Lincoln concrete the 225 would have an advantage over the 195.

I seem to have been dramatically proved wrong both points.

Now we have the new 225 Hankooks that Jon just tried out. Definitely interesting. I think Washburn was on them at Nats in what? 3rd? And they were reportedly a set with a huge number of laps on them.

But.... Testing has not confirmed this, but I would guess that the Hankooks are not as good in the smaller sizes as say the RE-11 or the new Yoko. But their advantage comes from the 225-45 footprint. Pretty new and not many have tried so tough to gauge.

[Steve Ekstrand]

The one time I ran the 195's on a 7.5 the feel was incredible. And the toyo's are generally known as a crappy vague feeling tire. Stretched out, I really liked the feel and feedback though.

That experience makes me think that Toyo probably isn't right for narrow 6" rims. But probably wouldn't totally suck.

[Jeff Wong]

But.... Testing has not confirmed this, but I would guess that the Hankooks are not as good in the smaller sizes as say the RE-11 or the new Yoko. But their advantage comes from the 225-45 footprint. Pretty new and not many have tried so tough to gauge.

I would like to think that Andy ran them for a reason and not just for the flames on the tires.

[Steve Ekstrand]

Did Andy run the Hankooks at Nat's???

No mixed sets? I remember something about a yoko on the back or something. ????

I've kinda tuned out since August.

[Jonathan Lugod]

Did Andy run the Hankooks at Nat's???

No mixed sets? I remember something about a yoko on the back or something. ????

I've kinda tuned out since August.

[Michael Heinitz]

Did Andy run the Hankooks at Nat's???

No mixed sets? I remember something about a yoko on the back or something. ????

I've kinda tuned out since August.

yes, kooks on the front, advan on the rear.

[Jason Flores]

We have had people on this board claim the Toyo R1R's do not work if the ambient temps are over 90 degrees, yet Toyo in ST has won every single CSCC event... even in those blazing hot summer days.

Thats a really loaded statement considering, Ken could proably beat us on Falken Azenis 215's that he still has stored somewhere....Alien drivers not included... :gpower:

[Nicole Wong]

We have had people on this board claim the Toyo R1R's do not work if the ambient temps are over 90 degrees, yet Toyo in ST has won every single CSCC event... even in those blazing hot summer days.

Thats a really loaded statement considering, Ken could proably beat us on Falken Azenis 215's that he still has stored somewhere....Alien drivers not included... :gpower:

Who said anything about Ken? September was one of our hottest events this year. We were well into the triple digits, Jeff and Greg were 1 and 2. :gpower:

[Craig Naylor]

Alien drivers not included... :gpower:

Who said anything about Ken? September was one of our hottest events this year. We were well into the triple digits, Jeff and Greg were 1 and 2. :gpower:

[/quote]

He mentioned Ken... :ibrightdea: then Alien drivers... they must fall into the second category, as neither are "Ken"