Please help me decide on autocross tires.

[snake bit]

Hey Jack, Mike, Brad, Chuck, Odie, or anyone else:

Please give me some ideas for Corvette autocross tires. I "think" I've narrowed it down to two choices; Kumho V710 or Toyo R888. However, I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts before deciding for sure.

I've definately ruled out Hoosiers due to cost, longevity, and that I won't be running enough negative camber to suit them. I'm leaning towards V710s since they seem to be almost as quick and don't require as much negative camber (I'm running about -1.5). They are still pretty expensive and I'm not sure they last much longer than Hoosiers though. Ultmate competitiveness doesn't matter all that much since this is only a hobby - I'm not looking to be ultra competitive; in the ballpark is fine. Basically, I'd be willing to trade a few tenths for a tire I could maybe get two seasons from versus only five or six good events before needing to be replaced.

So, what does everyone think? Are the Toyos pretty close? Or would I be better off with the V710s - or is there something else out there I haven't found yet?

Thanks everyone!

Jerry

[HiHoSilver]

I would have to vote for the Toyos R888, I am currenlty running Hoosier's due to size availability. Until the R888 came out, Hoosier was the only tire I could run because of the 19" rear wheels. Brad seems to get great wear out of the V710, they have about the same treadwear as the Hoosiers. If you go with the R888s make sure you get them shaved. Jack is able to get about three seasons on his Toyos RA1s. Once I wear out my Hoosiers, I am buying R888.

Hope to see you out soon.

[Luke Zyla]

I am going to get a set of BF Goodrich g-Force R1 soon. Read about them here

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=BFGoodrich&tireModel=g-Force+R1

[sts 50]

While I don't have experience with the new 888, I'm very pleased with my Toyo RA-1's - fast enough, but "street" enough to drive to and from events (changing at home).

[Hraefn]

I've heard a lot of good things about the R888, especially with regards to how they retain grippiness throughout their tread-life. I'm considering them myself.

[Jason V]

Keeping in mind I have not been in the R comp tire game for a few years.....

If ya want to go FAST no compromises Hoosier

If your want to get VERY close to above with better tire life and an easier tire to drive go
for a set of 710s (my personal recomendation due to their great forward bite) you will get one seson out of them but probably not 2.

For longer life but still quite fast Victoracers, or toyos with the speed goint to the victos and life going to the toyos.... an old joke was that toyos (the ra1 design) was fastest on the lap before they corded... should get 2 season out of either unless you run alot of events.

I do not know much about Hankooks or the new BFGs but they may be a viable choice too.

[gtfour77]

Jerry, if you want to go fast in local competition, V710's are the answer. If you don't want to go as fast but make the tires last couple of seasons go for the toyos... By the way, with proper pressures, camber and rotation (rotate tires on the rim at about 40-50 runs) you can easily drive season and a half or more especially with a vette and single driver. Many vette drivers are getting 120 runs out of their R-Comps. For some reason these cars are easy on rubber.
And you are right, you don't have enough camber for the hoosiers, they like about 3 degrees or more to last but once you have camber their wear is very, very good. And the A6's are good till they cord. Let us know what you decide.

What sizes do you need? There are a few used tires available online (Ebay, sccaforums and Phil's tire service in Va. Beach at bout $40 a tire)

[2ndShot]

Jerry, I've only used Hoosier R's on the vette and I'm very pleased with grip versus wear. We had BFG-R1s on the Audi and they gripped well, but that nose-planting quattro can eat up some tires, so it's not a good comparison.

[HiHoSilver]

Jerry,

I agree with everyone hear about tire, and to expand on the Hoosiers, the vette is very gental on the tires if you are at an airport or some where with a smooth surface. I tend to overdrive at Riveside and make the front push at times, which is like running the tires over a cheese grate. The surface at riverside is very rough. My rear tires last twice as long has the fronts, the front outside edge wears quickly. Some of the wear is do to not enough camber, but mosty due to my over driving the corners.

I currenlty have 2 choices in Tires, Toyos or Hoosiers.
Having 19" rear wheels suck.

If I ever move up to ASP, the 19"s are coming off to mount 18"s.

[wvphoto]

i did the hoosiers..

they were amazing .

[snake bit]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I feel good that my original conclusions have been confirmed. I've decided to split the middle and go with V710s. Almost as sticky as the Hoosiers but last longer and stickier than the Toyos but wear faster. I think it will be a good compromise in my situation. Between my work and family obligations, I'll be lucky to make five autocrosses per year. I should be able to get two seasons out of a set.

Marteen, I think I'll go with a new, heat cycled set from Tirerack. That way I know exactly what I'm getting; no surprises! Some things I'm more comfortable buying used than others - like body panels ;-)

Thanks again!

[gtfour77]

Jerry, good decision! Like Jason said, the V710's have really good forward bite with great braking characteristics. I use them for local competition on the celica and I suspect that they might be as fast if not faster than the hoosiers... they are definitelly easier to drive compared to hoosiers. Looking forward to seeing you soon! Now we'll have someone to chase again... :f1:

[crobin4]

Now we'll have someone to chase again... :f1:

Yes, I will.:fight::biggrin:

[snake bit]

I would encourage caution. I may not be the best choice of someone to chase; I'm curiously drawn to hard, immovable objects for some reason. ;-)

[crobin4]

I would encourage caution. I may not be the best choice of someone to chase; I'm curiously drawn to hard, immovable objects for some reason. ;-)

Thanks, Yeh, I was going to leave that unsaid. No lemmings here.:tongue:

[gtfour77]

Jerry, you are an awesome driver, things happen.... hope to see you in the new shoes very soon!

Hopefully we can bring some of the former members back this year, like yourself Jerry. I've personally missed Jimmy, BillG, Sean (although he did show up at the last one) Jamie W etc...

[snake bit]

Jerry, you are an awesome driver, things happen.... hope to see you in the new shoes very soon!

Hopefully we can bring some of the former members back this year, like yourself Jerry. I've personally missed Jimmy, BillG, Sean (although he did show up at the last one) Jamie W etc...


Thanks! It was a pretty crappy day, that's for sure but all in all not a huge deal. A little expensive to fix but that's a risk we take. I figure it took 20 years for the first mishap and if I can go another 20 before the next one (or never!) I'll be doing OK.

I ordered the tires over lunch today. I'll try to make a few local events this year. Work and family is a challenge but I'm definately going to try and make several events.

[BlueZ0644]

Jerry, Glad to see you are returning. I think the 710's will serve you well, although it will be harder for me to keep up with the Toyo's. Earlier statements were correct - I can get a touch over two seasons on the Toyos and the fastest run is right before they cord. Long wearing and consistent, once you get past the first one or two events. I had mine shaved to 5/32" and they were pretty greasy early on. I toyed with getting a set of 710s, but I don't think I can buy a set every year. Being unemployed sux, but on the plus side - every day is Saturday. I have also toyed with pressing the Neon back into service - tires are cheaper. For now though, it's just too hard to leave the Z06 in the garage.

[RobbieNelson]

Work and family is a challenge but I'm definately going to try and make several events.

Unless there is another yellow C5 Z06 in the Hurricane area, I've seen you out several times in the past few days. So you must have SOME time on your hands. :biggrin:

[snake bit]

Unless there is another yellow C5 Z06 in the Hurricane area, I've seen you out several times in the past few days. So you must have SOME time on your hands. :biggrin:

Yes, that would be me. Took advantage of some good weather and working locally to drive the Z to/from work a couple times. Also, I saw the pics of your Evo. I was glad to see it was fairly minor and should be an easy fix!

[snake bit]

For now though, it's just too hard to leave the Z06 in the garage.

I know what you mean; now that spring is here, I am constantly fighting the same urge! I hope it doesnt happen but maybe if gas goes back to $4 a gallon again the Civic will look more appealing......