BioBanker

Anyone up for it?

I think that Im going to run race rubber AAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL summer long. On the track, on the street, here there and everywhere.

matrix

Ohhhh yes , I have 2 sets of rims and I am looking for R compounds for my 16" rims.

Triple-H

???

What brand?
Toyo Prexes RA-1
Kumho VictoRacer V700
Kumho Ecsta V700
Hoosier A3S03
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup
Yokohama A032R

What size front tire?
225/50-16
205/55-16

Can you get the size you want in the brand you want?

Simple to say yes, I want R-compounds, complicated to pick the best setup....



For me I decided to go 205/55-16 and 245/45-16 with Toyo Proxes RA-1, but I have not bought yet because I'm hoping by spring the Kumho Ecsta V700 comes out in a 205/55-16.

matrix

I will be looking for the same size as our stock setup, so 205/55/R16 front, 245/45/R16 rear. No point buying R compounds if they do not fit right .

Toyo Proxies, I think make the right size and I believe Kumho has a new tire coming out with the proper sizes...I still have not had time to research which one...but I have the whole winter. I just know I want a set.

Triple-H

Marco, I have already done the searching.......

The Toyos come in the right sizes, the Kumhos do not. What makes it more complicated is the new improved Kumho Ecsta V700 is just that, improved, and the size selection is incomplete! I can not get any type of confirmation about new sizes coming, just rumors. And it would be hard for me to go with the VictoRacers knowing the Ecsta is better.

Kumho VictoRacer V700
205/55-16 = not available
225/50-16 = available
245/45-16 = available

Kumho Ecsta V700
205/55-16 = not available
225/50-15 = available
245/45-16 = not available

The Michelin Pilot Sport Cups are very costly. Where the Kumho 245/45-16 is $135 USD, the Michelin of the same size is $220 USD.

I'm not a big fan of Hoosiers and the Yoko A032R is not as aggressive as the other options.

Triple-H

http://www.toyo.com/tires/index_frame.html

Touch the PERFORMANCE tire, select the Proxes RA-1 box

Tire Size 205/55ZR16
Product Code 236850
Rim Width Range (inch) 5.5-6.5-7.5
Tire Weight (lbs.) 23
Tread Depth (inch) 8/32
Overall Diameter (inch) 24.7
Overall Width (inch) 8.3
Max Pressure (PSI) 44
Revs Per Mile 853

Tire Size 245/45ZR16
Product Code 236800
Rim Width Range (inch) 7.5-8.0-9.0
Tire Weight (lbs.) 25
Tread Depth (inch) 6/32
Overall Diameter (inch) 24.4
Overall Width (inch) 9.8
Max Pressure (PSI) 44
Revs Per Mile 861

One of the criticisms the Toyos get is they are squirmy on the track when they are new. Well when you look at the tread depth this is no surprise. The Kumho Ecsta V700 225/50-16 comes 6/32" and the VictoRacer V700 245/45-16 comes 5/32", and many people shave these before doing track events. I have spoken to a couple of people who have run the Toyos at track events and their feedback was very positive once they tread depth got worn down a bit.

Triple-H

I have a voice mail in with Rick Brennan at Kumho. After bouncing around a while on the phone with customer service I was finally sent to Rick, he is the one who should know what new sizes are coming and when.

As soon as I have info I will post here. Most likely nothing until Mon or Tues, he is still out on holiday vacation.

BioBanker

I love this! Throw a ball out there and watch what happens...

If you all want Kumho's, Im out. What I had in mind was either the RA1, which Ive had in the past and loved, or the VictoRacers (possibly the Ecsta).

I like the RA1s because:
1. They have long life.
2. Once they are worn in a bit, they are really nice. Predictable, sticky (not the stickiest R compound).
3. Extremely streetable.

Ive never driven the VictoRacers, BUT they come in a killer size. 265s that will fit on our stock rims. I was thinking 225f/265r. I am told that their life is also pretty good, probably not as long as the RA1s though. By my calc's the rears would decrease gearing by about 1.7%, which isnt great, but its tollerable given their width.
I would however, need to pick up a front sway bar.

Back to the RA1's. In my experience, they are very nice. When I put them on at first, not heat cycled or shaved, I was a'slippin'and'a'slidin' all over the place. Once I had worn them in a bit, things were great. And I drove them at, to, from, and between events (pretty much all summer basically).

Triple-H

Well Bio, chances are about 99% that I'm going with the RA-1s. I figure if the Kumho Ecsta V700 are going to come in 205/55-16 and 245/45-16 in the spring, the people at the 800 customer service number would already know it by now.

I will also say this to all, if you do not spend the money to get your R-compound tires you select heat cycled before they are shipped to you, spend the time to do it yourself! Believe me, they will last longer and be better if you heat cycle them!!!

Triple-H

So Bio, where do you buy Toyos from up there.I'm thinking this could be a real cost savings for me.

http://www.toyocanada.com/homeen.html