The future of autox tires?

[sammm]

I don't think it's SCCA stock class legal to downsize.

sht

[Robert]

Yep, I know.

A lot of people with 18, 19, and 20 inch wheels would really like to down size to save money on R-comps.

I don't think anybody would care in the tire class, it's not like you are going to go any faster on a 16 x 6.5 vs. a 17 x 7 even if they are a little lighter.
A 17 x 9 wheel would be another story.

[sammm]

I don't think anybody would care in the tire class, it's not like you are going to go any faster on a 16 x 6.5 vs. a 17 x 7 even if they are a little lighter. A 17 x 9 wheel would be another story.

The street tire price difference isn't really that much either, but I'd like to run the OEM 17"s on the street. If I have the opportunity or desire to run in a divisional, I'll try to buy a co-drive from someone.

[slates]

I think Slates is running 235/40 Dunlops. I am also running 235/40 Dunlops on 7 in wheels in the front. Seems to work, but I don't have back to back testing to really know. I would not try it with R1R's or RS3's, but it seems to work with the star specs.

I do run the 235/40/17 Direzza Star Specs, and they seem to work just fine. I have been told the 225 would be a better fit for the wheel width, but the 235s are shorter than any 225 out there, which I think is important in the 5 speed car. I ran an MSR once up in Milwaukee with 215s, and that was not enough tire. Overheated really quickly, and that was on an 85 degree day.

The 225/50/16 in either the Dunlop or Hankook may not be all that bad. I think the Dunlop is a pretty good all around tire. Decent in the cold, and good for a couple of fast runs in the really hot weather before they go off. Have you thought about the Kumho Exsta XS. I ran that tire for two years on my Z06. You couldn't overheat them, and the hotter it got the stickier they got. Downside is they were awful in the cold and scary-inconsistent in the wet.

[Davidss]

PS - The MS-R package CS cars (and MX5 Cup cars) run 225's on the stock 17x7's. Why is this too wide? It appears to work well for Slates on street tires.

Apples and Oranges
Street tires vs R comps
Autocross vs Track

R compounds are completely different. When I ran in E stock we ran 225s on a 6" wheel. And I know Terranova somehow crammed 225s on 5" rims.

[OZMDD]

Apples and Oranges
Street tires vs R comps

Agreed, sort-of. I keep hearing that todays street tires are much closer to R-comps than 4-5 years ago. I don't have R-comp experience, so I defer to your knowledge on how those tires work. BUT... there is the anecdotal evidence provided by Slates, Robert and others who are obviously having success in doing exactly what you're saying won't work. I guess there is a distinction between what is ideal -vs- what can work. Tomato, tomato. :)

[Davidss]

So if you take the tweel idea to the extreme you get this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOSAQjCbXZE

The energy return wheel. This guy really doesn't understand how tires work.

[sammm]

I ordered a set of RS-3's for the 17" wheels this morning. They are currently 'special order' from TireRack.

[Robert]

Good thing I ordered mine a few weeks ago. Looks like they still have a few of the 255's, less than 10 in stock. If anybody needs them, they better hurry.

[jrj512]

I could not get my 15" RS3s, either. My order is still open, but I picked up some R1Rs for now.

[OZMDD]

I'm now very glad that I stockpiled tires in the off-season. I hope the RS3's become available again by the end of summer.

[sammm]

I hope the RS3's become available again by the end of summer.

I sent Rudy @ Tirerack a PM asking if he had a clue when they'd be in stock...I'll keep y'all posted.

[Jiggerachi]

^ Ahhh geeze... I was JUST about to order a set. Are all other companies out as well?

[sammm]

I sent Rudy @ Tirerack a PM asking if he had a clue when they'd be in stock...I'll keep y'all posted.

Your Order Has Shipped

[jrj512]

Your Order Has Shipped

You suck. Mine are still on availability hold.

[OZMDD]

Get some 17's, boy!

Rudy told me that Nevada seems to be the only warehouse that has been receiving RS3's lately. FYI

[sammm]

Rudy told me that Nevada seems to be the only warehouse that has been receiving RS3's lately. FYI

I asked/paid for them to ship out of Louisiana...maybe they are doing some juggling.

EDIT - they are coming out of Nevada.

[EricJ]

Last Wednesday 2/8, they estimated 3-4 weeks for 15" RS3s.

[OZMDD]

Anyone called Todd Eaddy at DT?

[Webspoke]

Anyone called Todd Eaddy at DT?

Todd worked hard last year to secure a supply of 17" RS3 sizes for Discount directly from Hankook. Definitely worth checking with him.