Duane Black
Curbs go brrrppp
Okay, priorities are changing, and my beloved Hankook R-S4 isn't available in my size right now... should spring roll around and I need tires ASAP, what decision should I make?
My priority is Time Trial and track, but I'm not as concerned about being competitive as I am about a good tire that will last. Hence, my beloved R-S4.
I also autocross some (4-18 times a year, next year probably closer to 6-8 times) in a class that requires 200tw, but I'm not above just moving it to ESP and have a go at some raw times or even just say "screw it" to autocross.
In 200tw, the only other real option would be a 275 Rival S1.5, or the RE71R, and I don't really want to run those on a track... although now that I'm going the TT route instead of HPDE, why not maybe?
One option could be the Toyo R888R. Similar in price to what I'm paying, seems to be a near spec tire of DE4 and NASA guys love it. For similar money, I could buy some Toyo RR too.
For a little more money, I could buy the BFG G-Force R1S or R1, or the Hoosier R7 or A7 for a little more yet!
I loved the durability my Hankooks gave me. Flipped, still a little tread for maybe one more track event, although their increasing desire for heat as they age is getting annoying. For records sake, I currently have an estimated 11 track days of roughly 4 sessions each plus 8 competition autocross events, AND some charity veteran ride alongs on these RS4 tires right now. If anything out there can match that in durability, I'm all ears.
I know that durability isn't going to match R-S4. What I'm curious about are thoughts on durability vs speed on my other options should it come to having to buy a not-R-S4 tire. Should I stick with the 200TW category, roll out on a Toyo, or for that money/durability level should I just go balls out and see what I can do with a set of R1S or A7's?
Second to durability, I'd like a 35 profile tire for an 18 inch wheel. The gearing of a 35 profile vs a 30 profile is about 8-10 mph in 4th gear, which is my sweet spot on several straightaways for tracks I run (Road Atlanta, VIR, Charlotte, etc.) to get the most out of my car before it dies in 5th. Seriously, its the difference in 122 vs 133 down the backstraight at VIR, so I'd like a 35 profile for that reason.
The primary width I'm looking at is 285, but I understand I may need to back down to a 275 to get the gearing I need as 285/30 is common, and 275/35 is common.
Can anyone give reports on how many events with an S197 they can get out of any of the tires listed above, or a tire I should consider that's not above?
PS - for classing in TT, I don't think tires will be an issue. I 've looked at the classing rules that NASA posts for this year and unless they change something, putting "autocross" tires on my car should keep me within my TT4 rules, no problem. I'm open to many suggestions.
My priority is Time Trial and track, but I'm not as concerned about being competitive as I am about a good tire that will last. Hence, my beloved R-S4.
I also autocross some (4-18 times a year, next year probably closer to 6-8 times) in a class that requires 200tw, but I'm not above just moving it to ESP and have a go at some raw times or even just say "screw it" to autocross.
In 200tw, the only other real option would be a 275 Rival S1.5, or the RE71R, and I don't really want to run those on a track... although now that I'm going the TT route instead of HPDE, why not maybe?
One option could be the Toyo R888R. Similar in price to what I'm paying, seems to be a near spec tire of DE4 and NASA guys love it. For similar money, I could buy some Toyo RR too.
For a little more money, I could buy the BFG G-Force R1S or R1, or the Hoosier R7 or A7 for a little more yet!
I loved the durability my Hankooks gave me. Flipped, still a little tread for maybe one more track event, although their increasing desire for heat as they age is getting annoying. For records sake, I currently have an estimated 11 track days of roughly 4 sessions each plus 8 competition autocross events, AND some charity veteran ride alongs on these RS4 tires right now. If anything out there can match that in durability, I'm all ears.
I know that durability isn't going to match R-S4. What I'm curious about are thoughts on durability vs speed on my other options should it come to having to buy a not-R-S4 tire. Should I stick with the 200TW category, roll out on a Toyo, or for that money/durability level should I just go balls out and see what I can do with a set of R1S or A7's?
Second to durability, I'd like a 35 profile tire for an 18 inch wheel. The gearing of a 35 profile vs a 30 profile is about 8-10 mph in 4th gear, which is my sweet spot on several straightaways for tracks I run (Road Atlanta, VIR, Charlotte, etc.) to get the most out of my car before it dies in 5th. Seriously, its the difference in 122 vs 133 down the backstraight at VIR, so I'd like a 35 profile for that reason.
The primary width I'm looking at is 285, but I understand I may need to back down to a 275 to get the gearing I need as 285/30 is common, and 275/35 is common.
Can anyone give reports on how many events with an S197 they can get out of any of the tires listed above, or a tire I should consider that's not above?
PS - for classing in TT, I don't think tires will be an issue. I 've looked at the classing rules that NASA posts for this year and unless they change something, putting "autocross" tires on my car should keep me within my TT4 rules, no problem. I'm open to many suggestions.