Track Tire Suggestions

[audisnapr]

I'm looking to track my car for the first time. Tried to do my research on here looking for the right setup to start with. I've gathered after review that 17's are the way to go (unsprung weight issue), but what I can't seem to find is what rubber the majority of guys are running in the stock class. I want something in the $110/ea and under range. It will only see the track, no street miles.

Looks like edgeracing.com has some good deals going right now. I love the tread pattern on the Falken Azenis Rs, but it's treadwear rating is really low @ 200. There are a few others by Falken as well: Ziex Ze-51, Azenis St115, and the Grb Fk451. Looks like the only other choice is Toyo: Proxes Fz4 and Proxes 4.

Any thoughts?

[Anthony]

Not the cheapest, but you'll hear lots of rave reviews about the S03s. Great high-performance tire!

[Oscar@tirerack]

If you can swing the cost, go with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's

[astris]

I heard the same thing too, but they are expensive as hell. They were almost double the cost of the tires I bought. The Pilots are supposed to be awesome for the track, but just way too pricey for me.

[audisnapr]

anyone with experience running the Falken Azenis Rs, they are pretty inexpensive, which is nice?

[onemoremile]

you guys are talking street tires when he asked about track tires. totally different animals.

toyo RA1 is the best bet for an all around track tire. they are not as sensitive to heat cycles and tend to last longer than other R compound tires. Hoosier autocross and track compounds are stickier but don't last long and will get really expensive in the long run. Falken Azenis are excellent for autocross but can get greasy after a couple track laps especially on a heavier car like the audis.

[EuroTall]

I use Kuhmo Victoracers in Autocross ... great tire and STICKY as hell (you get rockchips stuck in them with the first roll). They're about $110-130 for 15" and $130-150 for 17" (If I recall).

AWESOME TIRE, DOT legal, but wear rating is 50, and it's competition compound (might be R rated compound but I'm not sure-> research yourself)
From personal experience: THESE STICK LIKE BUBBLE GUM TO THE TRACK, but wear quickly.

Kuhmo has new ones out now: the V700 and V710 which are R compound DOT tires, I believe ...basically slicks with one groove.
More pricey, but racetrack tires ain't cheap.

[audisnapr]

all the suggestion help, but I am looking for something a bit more track dedicated. I don't know that I want to pay $130+ for a track tire - I'm not competing... just doing x-class. Wanted something affordable as my "track" tires. They could be street tires that are suited for track use. I don't know that I need DOT tires, since I'm not going to compete. Maybe someday down the road I would go that route, but for now, just something to call my track tires. Does that make sense?

[lawong]

I think the idea if you are looking for tires is either pay a lot for good tires, or pay very little for cheap tires. Everything that is in the mid-range just isn't worth the money.

With that said...
I'd go with the Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3s. They are about $182 in 225/40/18s, but if you buy 4 you get a $75 rebate card from Goodyear.

Here's a tirerack review that compared the SO3s vs. Pilots vs. F1s...
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/gy_f1_gs_d3.jsp

[Hutash]

DOT approved tires are street legal, while many track tires are not DOT approved, and therefore can not be driven on the street at all. Tires like the Toyo RA1 are DOT approved, but are manly for track use and wear very fast on the street. DOT approved allows you to drive to the track on your tires, were dedicated tires must be mounted at the track.

[rbt]

I assume the original poster intends to have a dedicated set of wheels to go along w/ the 'track tires'? for <$110, I don't think you can even get an DOT R-compound . I would have to say the Falken Azenis is your best bet then, and can be had for that price if you shop around. as someone posted, though, they can get greasy when hot but you can cycle your track runs to allow for cooling.

If you do not have dedicated wheels, however, I don't recommend the Azenis for 4-season daily use.

[audisnapr]

thanks rbt... I was hoping someone would give me the thumbs up on those Falkens. I realize they are not really "track" tires in most everyone's eyes, but they seem to be something that would work at the entry level.

I do have all-seasons on my car right now, so the Falken's would be dedicated track rubber on some dedicated track wheels (FLIK Justice black).

[rbt]

Originally posted by audisnapr
thanks rbt... I was hoping someone would give me the thumbs up on those Falkens. I realize they are not really "track" tires in most everyone's eyes, but they seem to be something that would work at the entry level.

I do have all-seasons on my car right now, so the Falken's would be dedicated track rubber on some dedicated track wheels (FLIK Justice black).

Also from my experience, the Azenis can build air pressure (from heat) quicker than other tires I've had. So be diligent in checking pressures before/after run sessions.