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Post by chewbaccadefense on Dec 9, 2012 13:58:12 GMT -5
I will be autocrossing next year for the first time in 7 years. I used to autocross a FSP GTi, but no longer have the car. I was running on R-compound then.
This time, I will be autocrossing my daily driver, a 2002 Mazda Protege5. I was able to score a great deal on some new Tokico Illuminas. I want to Run HP, so I won't be buying springs or anything. I also want to run in H Stock with ST. Couple of questions about that:
First, any tire suggestions for daily and autocross. I don't want dedicated tires yet. Maybe STF in the future, but I will buy Ecsta XS's at that point. For now, I want something not terribly expensive ($110 or less), so that leaves me with some options looking at Tire Rack. The wheels are 6" so I am thinking I want to run 205 45 16's, and it looks like Fuzion ZRi's, Ecsta AST and ASX, Sumitomo HTR Z II, General G-MAX, Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval Indy 500, Yokohama S.Drive, Dunlop Direzza DZ101, Potenza RE760, and g-Force COMP-s's fit. Anyone have any experience autocrossing and daily driving any of those? Any other tires I might consider? I am leaning toward the Sumitomo's but not locked in yet.
Secondly, Should I consider STF anyway? In ST, is there a PAX adjustment for H Stock AND ST, or is there just a ST PAX adjustment? Not too concerned with being competitive just yet, but still want to run in the best class for the car.
Can't wait to run again, and thanks ahead of time for any feedback.
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Post by srduck on Dec 9, 2012 18:05:11 GMT -5
Dunlop Star Specs.... they are THE BOMB! I autocrossed on them (many many many events) and daily drove them on my MINI, and they've lasted from February until now even though they're getting frighteningly low on tread. Sadly it doesn't look like they're available in 205/45/16, but that could just be a result of them being out of stock and awaiting the Star Spec 2s. It really is THE tire to have if you're thinking about dual duty and wanting to be even remotely competitive.
I believe we do a .980 pax modifier for tire class. That means you're going to be .788 instead of STF's .794. Tire class is a fun class to run in. You'll get more cars to compete against total and a better overall PAX.
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Post by chewbaccadefense on Dec 10, 2012 21:59:44 GMT -5
They have them in 205 50, but they are more expensive than I want to go right now. What I am looking for is a tire that will last a little longer than that, and that I can run for the first few events and still keep as street tires after I buy something more competitive. I really want to work on correct position and such before spending money on new tires and wheels. I will keep them in mind just in case I find a great deal on some though.
EDIT: I am looking at the Dunlop Direzza DZ101's more seriously though after doing some more research.
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Post by srduck on Dec 10, 2012 22:19:06 GMT -5
With my wife learning, we got her a set of the Hankook V12 Evo because they were dirt cheap, decent to learn on, and would hopefully last a while longer. Again though, not available in the size you want  |
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Post by CoolGuy094 on Dec 11, 2012 0:12:51 GMT -5
No RS3 love? I like mine. They suck competitively in the cold and/or rain compared to the star spec, but they rock in the heat. Great for co-driven cars cause they suck up all the heat from quick run turnaround and get sticker each time. I have had no issue driving them on the street when I'm too lazy to swap out for my street wheels after an event. They handle rain just fine under normal driving.
I have the V12's Duck mentioned on my street wheels. They are excellent for DD purposes, but don't hold a candle to the star spec or RS3 in autox.
My RS3's have lasted me more than a year of events and several thousand street miles and still have tread to spare.
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Post by srduck on Dec 11, 2012 7:04:09 GMT -5
Mine aren't holding up so well. They have GREAT grip (so long as they have some heat in them) but they're definitely wearing a LOT.
Oh and to give you an idea of the Star Specs..... everyone was running them this weekend at ChumpCar, and for the most part they survived a 14hr enduro race with almost no signs of wear except a little bit of rounding on the shoulders.
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Post by goinginhot on Dec 11, 2012 12:42:10 GMT -5
I'd agree with Steven about the Star specs. I've driven/autocrossed the RE11s, Star Specs, R1Rs, Rs3s, V12s and some I'm forgetting. The starspec is awesome in all aspects, dry, wet, wear.
I ran some starspecs for about 80 autocross runs, 8 hours at VIR and sold them to a lemons racer. He later told me they lasted 18 hours at cmp before they were done. Wear I think is a non issue.
If you want to shoehorn a 225 the V12 may be a decent choice, but any tire other than the top tier in the ST market will be noticeably slower and less crisp. In the wet the V12 is very very good, it lacks everywhere else though.
FWIW, I ran some old Kumho ASTs on my miata at the 24, driven back to back with RS3s and Star Specs. They were 2 seconds slower, they were terrible.
Nariah
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Post by stealthgtfour on Dec 11, 2012 12:52:19 GMT -5
just get the cheapest thing you can for now and put what you saved towards the
new wheel/tire fund.
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Post by philip1 on Dec 11, 2012 18:26:16 GMT -5
I run v12s on my Audi
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Post by dasautochris on Dec 12, 2012 7:08:37 GMT -5
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Post by Frodo on Dec 12, 2012 15:23:17 GMT -5
Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.Star Specs.
I think I made my point. And do STF, not tire...I NEED MORE COMPETITION!!!!!!!!
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Post by chewbaccadefense on Dec 12, 2012 19:08:53 GMT -5
You are coming close to convincing me on the Star Specs and STF, though that means I have to convince my wife that racing beat springs are also very necessary...but it also means that I get to do a homemade cold air intake which would be fun to do...the cat back will just have to wait though. STF so you have somebody to beat up on???  You might be required to ride along if you are going to kick my butt every week... I also appreciate the suggestion by dasautochris as those RS-R's look like a really good tire. The difference however between them and the Star Specs is tread wear...then again, they a little over half the price of the Star Specs...hmm I really appreciate the input. I won't be daily driving as much next year, so maybe the RS-R's would be a good option. $82 per tire is enticing. I wonder how they are in the wet on the road though. Looks a little sketchy. I still have a couple of months... |
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Post by Frodo on Dec 13, 2012 12:51:40 GMT -5
Somebody to beat up on? Nah. I only win the events for STF when the two outer region visitors don't show up. They walk me every time. More than happy to give a ride along as well. I run the Star Specs (obviously from that last post haha). I've driven them to and from events, in between events, and driven them multiple times up to the Tail of the Dragon. Probably 90-100 autocross runs on them this season. And still have a decent amount of useable tread on them. I run 215/45/17 and they $850 for tire cost, shipping, mounting, balancing, road hazard certifications (GET THEM!!) and tax. That was from Discount Tire. Not a bad deal at all. When I'm not using them, they are in my room serving as a 'table' of sorts haha.
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Post by philip1 on Dec 13, 2012 19:30:28 GMT -5
Star specs in my experience are one of the best all round tires you can buy. The reason I don't have them on the Audi is the size I need wasn't available at the time I needed tires.
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Post by chewbaccadefense on Jan 12, 2013 22:56:44 GMT -5
205 50 16 Star Specs ZII OR 215 45 16 Ecsta XS's?
The Star Specs have the grip, but will the Kumhos have as much or more because of the extra width? There isn't much difference, but the Dunlops have a larger diameter than stock and the Kumhos are almost the same as stock.
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Post by dasautochris on Jan 13, 2013 1:23:36 GMT -5
I'm not sure about the kumhos but I know the star specs usually are wider than what the tire specs state. So a 205 star spec would probably physically measure around 215.
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Post by CoolGuy094 on Jan 13, 2013 6:31:29 GMT -5
Go for the ZII (not called star specs anymore, though I'm sure that is what they will continue to be referred to as). You miiiiiight get them in time for the first event at zMax.
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Post by chewbaccadefense on Jan 13, 2013 8:09:40 GMT -5
Good to know, thanks for the replies. I think the ZII's sound like the way to go as long as I can get them in time.
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You might be required to ride along if you are going to kick my butt every week...