Recommendations for Semi-Slick Tyres

[jettafsi]

Hi,

I'm looking at get some tyres for track days, mainly supersprint type events, 3 or 4 laps at a time. I need 225/45/R17's.

Any recommendations? I think I've been looking at the cheaper end of the scale, Kumho's and Toyo's. I would probably change these over at the track and not drive on them to get to the track to preserve tyre life.

I've used yoko A032R's on a previous car, and altough good only got about 2000km's out of them.

Cheers,
Ian

[Peter Jones]

I race on Toyo R888

Proxes R888

They work well for me, Getting about 2 seasons out of them. Awesome grip.

Pete

[jamesatfish]

My absolute faves are the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup - brilliant grip levels in the dry, decent life and great grip retention once they're up to temp. On the con side, they are a bit dearer than other brands, they take a little time to warm up (usually a couple of 8/10ths laps - meaning the first timed lap of your sprint sessions mightn't be full pace) and they're very average in the wet.

Am currently running the R888s on the Polo as I can't get the Michelins in the right size - they're a pretty good tyre as well and give great grip, but I've found they tend to go off pretty quickly (after 2-3 track days they get quite hard and lose their grip).

I've also run with the Kumho V70A (medium compound) which had similar grip to the Toyos but lasted a fair bit longer. I've had trouble getting these in 17" sizes for the Polo lately hence my switch to the Toyos.

Stay well away from Falkens - tried those once on the recommendation of the local tyre place when the Kumhos were on back order, and the only thing they were good for was motorkhana events where a combination of handbrake turns and first gear corners without ESP converted them into smoke as quickly as possible.

[jettafsi]

Thanks guys. I made a few phone calls today. In 225/45/R17 :-
Falken RT615 - $190
Toyo Proxes R888 - $400
Kumho V70A - $460

It's probably incorrect to compare the RT615 to the other two but price wise it's 2 for the price of 1.

[jamesatfish]

Thanks guys. I made a few phone calls today. In 225/45/R17 :-
Falken RT615 - $190
Toyo Proxes R888 - $400
Kumho V70A - $460

It's probably incorrect to compare the RT615 to the other two but price wise it's 2 for the price of 1.

Honestly, if you're spending money on R-Specs to get a tyre better suited for track driving, please don't be tempted by the cheap price of the Falkens. The ones I tried (can't remember the exact tyre model but that number sounds familiar) were worse on the track than road tyres - I actually put my standard wheels and tyres back on the car for the rest of that track day.

[jettafsi]

yep, agree. need to not get sucked in by cheap price. i'm always looking for bank for buck!

[robby_jai]

i wouldnt bother with falken RT-615. I've used them they're ok.. but it will be difference a sec or two difference.

I'm surprised to see the dunlops DS03g is not being mentioned.

They are a great semi slick.. highly rated and used amongst a lot of the pro races for a very good reason. excellent wet weather performance and dry and they have pretty good wear. significantly better than i expected surprisingly.

I found the Dunlops to be easily half a second quicker than the R888, they heat up a lot quicker and the grip even after several punishing laps and are pretty amazing. these things dont go off as easily as quickly as R888's do I feel. I rate the Kumho V70A better than the R888 from my experiences

but if budget is the absolute buying criteria.. the R888 is the best buy... if you shop around carefully you can get em for about 350 a corner. Another good semi slick for supersprints are the Advan A050. used by a lot of competitors at this year's world time attack challenge.

The two most popular choices of semi slicks for the WTAC was Yokos and Dunlops. that's about as good as endorsement you need for a semi slick if any

[the scotsman]

I run the Khumo v70a in supersprints, they work well and are the most popular choice with the clubbie drivers. My only grumble would be that they don't have a long life, by the end of the 8th supersprint I think they were about a second off their new pace. But they are quicker than my previous tyre Yokohama a048's
Oh, don't get the soft compound, They lasted less than half a day at Philip Island!

[Evaded Motorsport]

Avoid the R888, they are too pressure sensitive, side walls are crap and generally feel like AIDS.

Choices:
New Advan AO50
Kumho V70A
RE55S
Dunlop DJO3 (or whatever the model designation is)

[Sammy125TDi]

Avoid the R888, they are too pressure sensitive, side walls are crap and generally feel like AIDS.

Choices:
New Advan AO50
Kumho V70A
RE55S
Dunlop DJO3 (or whatever the model designation is)

RE55s are very good. Dunlop DZ03G are the best hands down.

[Peter Jones]

Avoid the R888, they are too pressure sensitive, side walls are crap and generally feel like AIDS.

Must be dependant on the weight and characteristics of the vehicle they're fitted to, I've never experienced any of these issues with mine.

I run 23 PSI which is the manufacturer recommended pressure for the weight of the cars and the length of the events I run. I initially tried a range of pressures and didn't notice any great difference a few psi either side of that.

Mine have big sidewalls being 185/60/14 and they are very stiff compared to road tyres in the same size. No signs of sidewall damage after many off road excursions and jumps off ripple strips.

I'm unsure about your last comment though - What does AIDS feel like?

[the scotsman]

apparently these guys are the cheapest place for toyo's

Taleb Tyres : Semi Slicks - Toyo R888

maybe give them a call?
no connection, never used them, but was talking to a guy at Eastern Creek yesterday who mentioned them.
Peter, im with you never had an issue with running toyo's but all semislicks will go squishy if not at the correct pressure...

[FLAUNTT]

RE 55's are what I run , very good option. Dunlop Z03 are also very good. A cheaper alternative in dunlop may be the Supersport race, pretty grippy and seam to hold up ok.

[Evaded Motorsport]

Must be dependant on the weight and characteristics of the vehicle they're fitted to, I've never experienced any of these issues with mine.

I run 23 PSI which is the manufacturer recommended pressure for the weight of the cars and the length of the events I run. I initially tried a range of pressures and didn't notice any great difference a few psi either side of that.

Mine have big sidewalls being 185/60/14 and they are very stiff compared to road tyres in the same size. No signs of sidewall damage after many off road excursions and jumps off ripple strips.

I'm unsure about your last comment though - What does AIDS feel like?

AIDS feels like R888's .

You would have to be the first person I have come across that hasn't noticed a difference. Even guys I know who are sponsored by Toyo mention their pressure sensitivity. I do agree it is a case of person and vehicle but they are the one tyre I would never go for again unless i needed a cheap set for a weekend sprint or hill climb in a hurry.

[seangti]

Anyone had 1st hand experience with the Federal 595 RS-r?

Opinions for street and track driving if I were to only run one set for everything?