To R-compound, or not to R-compound?
 

So I'm trying to decide on this. I need a set of tires for this season anyway, so I can spend ~$600 on street tires, or ~$800 on race tires. I figure R-compounds should last me most of, if not all of the season. I'm not taking the PAX into consideration for running Street Tire, because the whole point of it is to make your PAX time about the same regardless of which tire you run. Plus, running super sticky rubber is a lot more fun than even the best street tires.

So what do you guys think? Yea or nay?

If you already push you car to the tire limit, it's more fun to get stickky. I gain almost 5 sec for 1 min track. Plus less people in street tire more change for me to win :lol:

If you want truly competitive R compounds, you probably need to be willing to take a hit on the speed crack pipe that is Hoosiers, and expect to use 2-3 sets per season, and by the way, the Autocross compound is not trackable.

Kumhos are good, but not that good, but are trackable. Still, depending on your driving, you may go through more than a single set in a season.

And with the Azenis sports, and similar "street tires" introduction, the margin is even smaller. With some very competitive drivers in the Street Tire class this year, we may see how good our factors really are. I wouldn't be surprised to see some "N"s near the top of the PAX list, possibly even giving the Karts a run for their money.

Take a look at the last events of the season last year... Some very highly placed Ns, and STs...

I'm going to STs

With the possible exception of Gary, I'm not sure anyone on this board can get everything out of there car/tires. And IMHO you will actually learn how to drive better, sooner on tires with more feedback like streeet tires. Anyone can overdrive a car and push the tires beyond their limits. Learnig to drive within their limits is the challenge.

That said, R compounds are pretty fun!

One other factor about R-compounds... they really beat on the car more... bearings brakes, tranny (not that your tranny can't take it :P). Basically anything that wears out will wear out faster with R's due to the higher forces.

I was looking for R's for my Ghia. Along the way I noticed the size I was contemplating was available in the Azinas for $40 each. I may have to go street tire with the ghia. R's were over $100 each and may need shaving and cycling.

I was thinking about getting Hoosers for the front tires and Kumo's for the rear. I need all the grip I can get up front and the wear should be low. The rears need a little less traction to promote rotation. Plus the rear tires will get worn quickly. What do you think?

Do you guys think I can get away with Victoracers without shaving them?

Theo

Early reports are that the new Kumho V710 is sticky as hell, better than the Hoosiers of last year.

You gota love the way it looks. Who needs more tread anyway!

I'm not sure but I thought they only had 17 and up sizes.

Theo

I ran unshaved 245/45/17 Victos for the last year or so on my Mustang and they've held up like champs... they've still got tread left, although they're probably heat cycled to death at this point. I assume the Ghia is a lot lighter than a Mustang, so my guess is it would work fine. The only preparation I did for them was to take them out when brand new and put an initial heat cycle on them in a smooth, empty warehouse parking lot... Tire Rack can do that on a machine though for convenience.

But there are also new Hoosiers this year. R3S04 and A3SO4.

I know, haven't heard any reports on them yet.

Toyo RA-1s are a fairly long lasting R-compound tire. I've been using them for the last two track events, and I love them. I used Victoracers and various street tires before that. While the Victoracers were the stickiest and the most forgiving as far as track tires go, they didn't last long. There really is no comparison between street and R-compound tires. With my 16" wheels, I get too much sidewall flex with street tires. The R-compounds have nice STIFF sidewallls which makes them handle soo much better, and of course they stick more.

That being said, I go through brakes like crazy. The added grip will take a toll on your brakes, if you really use them. If you have two sets of wheels, get some R-compounds, and may I suggest Toyos, that's all.

Berndt

Yeah I forgot to update this. I went with Goodyear Eagle GSD3s. They are pretty good, but not as grippy as S03s. Great street tires though, I hear they are awesome in the rain.