Needed new tires a few days ago, and in researching the S2KI archives about all I could find is that "they're not as good as the RA-1 Toyo". I've never used the Toyos so I can't comment there, but after the last couple days at the track on the Yoks, I can say I'm most pleased with them. Like most threads I start, this one will be long-winded and boring, but hopefully of some use to a searcher in the future.

My tire requirements were 1) that they be drivable to/from the track, and 2) that they work well at the track. Hoosiers were obviously out so the order of preference was:
Kumho Victoracers
Michelin Pilot Sport Cups
Toyo RA-1
Yokohama A032-R
OEM S-02s

Kumhos are on backorder, the Michelins were on the east coast and couldn't get here in time, and Tire Rack doesn't sell Toyos, so I went with the Yoks.

Street
Okay, so at certain speeds they do sound like mudders but that adds to the charm. It's not as bad as I've heard some people say. They are certainly a very "quick" tire, and as a driver you have to pay attention. This isn't a setup that will let you fall asleep behind the wheel.
Haven't used them in the rain but with the big curvy groove things on 'em they should do okay. Better than Kumhos anyway.

Track
This was my first time on "medium"-R compound tires. I found the Yoks to certainly be less grippy than the Kumho or Hoosier, no question there. At Spring Mountain there are two long sweepers; the Kumho and Hoosier crowd could maintain 75 through these turns pretty easily, whereas I was struggling @ 70. 5mph x 15seconds = big advantage. From what I hear 65mph was good for S-02s.
What endeared me to the Yoks is that they withstood a serious beating (30 minute sessions in 100 degree Nevada heat) and kept sticking. With Kumhos/Hoosiers, one or two little slides is all it takes to overheat the tire and grip falls way off. The Yoks seemed to stick best when sliding just a little bit, which wasn't hard to do with 225/245's on a stock car. The car rotated very well and exhibited a slight steady-state oversteer that was predictable and controllable. Quite lovely really.
...
As much as I do this everytime I hear the act of "drifting" mentioned, I think these would be good tires for such an activity. They can withstand well the huge heat that gets generated from the sliding. As a bonus if our would-be drifters decide they'd like to learn the fast way around the course, they'll at least find themselves on a tire that can be comptetitive.

Conclusion
They're about half gone after 700 street miles and two hard track days, so when really pushed they'll last about as long as a Kumho but be less grippy. That sounds like a really bad thing and it sort of is. But it should be noted that these tires are at least as much fun to race on (if not more) than the "real" R-compounds. They're slower but were, for me, more available.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jzr
[B]... At Spring Mountain there are two long sweepers; the Kumho and Hoosier crowd could maintain 75 through these turns pretty easily, whereas I was struggling @ 70.

 

Okay, some of my initial happiness with these tires just went bye-bye. I haven't driven the car since Pahrump and spent some time today doing pads and fluid. From a cursory glance they appeared to be about half gone but upon closer inspection are quite a bit further along:

Drat! This is less life than one can expect from a Kumho. No more of these for me!

 

That's nothing, you should see my Kumhos after two track days. You can't necessarily judge longevity by tread wear. I've seen people go on Kumhos for quite a few track miles after the tread had long since disappeared.

Most folks will drive R comps on the track until the earlier of: (i) over-heat cycled leading to stiff rubber and loss of grip, and (ii) cording.

Be happy. Go drive the daylights out of 'em!

 

Actually I think the Yoko's wear OK and have good stiff construction but lack the grip of the Kumhos. Here are the A032R's I had after about 800 street miles and four or five track days. I figure they had another couple of track days left but I really didn't like them that much.

But I think the Kumhos are great and wore this set down pretty well and drove home:

But the last set I wore smooth had cord showing around the edge at the track and I was lucky enough to be able to buy a set from another owner.

Too bad that there is a shortage of Victoracers and they are to be phased out.. I think they are the ultimate track tire value.

 

Agreed with the lack of grip, but not the OK wear part... they were a ton of fun, but mine are about as far along after two days as yours were after 4 or 5. Granted, I was rather tough on them, but I've had Kumhos receive the same beating in addition to several autocrosses and come out shining.

At this rate they've only got about one good day left. Going to try to get my hands on some of the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups and see how those (ridiculously expensive) tires last...

Time to watch Tyson, bye all!