Recommend me a non-R compound tire for competition

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dparm

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I've decided to stop ragging on my street tires and to just get a dedicated set of tires (and cheap wheels) for track days and autocross. The wheels are 17x7.5".

Can anyone recommend some good non-R compound tires for me? The Potenza RE-11, Direzza Z1 Star Spec, Ecsta XS, Nitto NT-05, and Advan AD08s seem like the top picks. I am open to any others.

(avoiding R-compound since that usually puts you in a special class that I know I can't compete in)
 
My brother loves his RE-11s to the ends of the earth. Totally different car, though.
 
I loved the RE-01Rs on my S2000. The RE-11 is quite expensive which is my biggest complaint for a tire that will get ripped to pieces quickly.
 
I ran the Dunlop Z1 in 245/40-17 on a 7.5" wheel all season long including 3 ProSolos, 10 retional events, a National Tour with two drivers, and Solo Nationals. They have 5/32nds left on them and still feel awesome, I probably won't have to replace them until March.

That being said, I liked them better when they were $130 each instead of $160 each. When Hankook releases the RS3 in my size, I may jump ship if they are under $150. But the best blend of braking, rain, and consistent feel performance goes to the Dunlop...especially on heavier cars.

Did I mention I am the STX ProSolo National Champion? :)

I may try the Toyo R1R next year but it depends if I can afford more than one set per year, as I don't think they will last as long as the Dunlops.
 
Coworker of mine has R1Rs on his Miata and he says they wear quickly, but grip tenaciously.

I had forgotten about the RS3s. I think I can get a 255/40R17 tire under there and that's a common performance size (same as my S2000's old rears).
 
If you use SCCA classing rules, stock classes allows R-comps as 1 point out of a possible 2. Usually the other point is used for a bigger rear sway bar on AWD or FWD cars.
If your running a street tire class there are specialized street tires pretty much designed for racing, check the scca forums for which ones are best at the moment.
 
I think you are taking the wrong approach. You should have some cheap rubber & cheap wheels for the street.

Then put good money into sticky quality rubber w/light weight wheels for the track only.

You are just a little mixed up on your priorities, that's all.
 
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Disagree on cheap rubber for the street. Cheap rubber is a poor compromise (ride quality vs. noise vs. grip vs. stability etc.), and safety should be a consideration on public roads.
 
Rubber is a safety item, I will never cheap out on that. Making emergency maneuvers on the road is a big deal...cheap track tires just means you end up in the grass or are a few seconds slower.
 
Originally Posted By: dparm
Making emergency maneuvers on the road is a big deal...cheap track tires just means you end up in the grass or are a few seconds slower.

Well said.
 
Originally Posted By: dparm
I've heard those get very greasy when hot.

That was on the first generation, no? I heard it's on a revised compound now; not sure if it still has that problem.
 
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Disagree on cheap rubber for the street. Cheap rubber is a poor compromise (ride quality vs. noise vs. grip vs. stability etc.), and safety should be a consideration on public roads.

The mentality that a few seconds slower & excursions in the grass tells me you are not very serious about track driving.

What will you tell the insurance man when you hook a rim & tip it over in the grass on a race track? This has happened to drivers at more than one event I'v attended

The person in the car next to driving down the road may have some cheap rubber turning. If that car slams into you what good did that $800 set of tires do you?
Hoosier
 
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Originally Posted By: willix
The mentality that a few seconds slower & excursions in the grass tells me you are not very serious about track driving.

I never said anything of the sort.


Originally Posted By: willix
What will you tell the insurance man when you hook a rim & tip it over in the grass on a race track? This has happened to drivers at more than one event I'v attended

...Huh?


Originally Posted By: willix
The person in the car next to driving down the road may have some cheap rubber turning. If that car slams into you what good did that $800 set of tires do you?

I will know that I wasn't the one who caused an accident and risked someone else's life and limb by cheaping out on a safety item. I guess I can't speak for you, but that's worth a lot to me.
 
I've been extremely pleased with the Star Specs I've been running on my Club Sport- on both track and street.
 
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