SouthFL

I'm really satisfied with the OEM Dunlop tire, as they have performed well at the last couple HPDE days which I've attended in the 8.

EdgeRacing is local, and I'm alread thinking about a replacement set.

Their 225/45/18 selection is as follows (these days):

Falken Fk452
225/45R18 25.3Lbs. 300 Treadwear ULTRA HIGH PERFORMANCE Y Rated

Toyo Proxes T1r
225/45R18 23Lbs. 280 Treadwear MAX PERFORMANCE Y Rated

Falken Azenis Rt615
225/45R18 27.1Lbs. 200 Treadwear MAX PERFORMANCE W Rated


Of these 3, which would you go with as an OEM replacement for street/HPDE use?
The Rt615 seems like the right choice IMO, but I'd like to read what others chime in with, both pro and con from their own expereince. Tread life isn't all that important- just a good trackable tire that I can drive to work in also.

Thanks.

CosmosMpower

RT615 for sure, the other are considerably lower in performance but probably last long as a daily driven street tire. I'd also suggest the Kumho SPT, they're less than 100 a piece in the factory size @ tirerack and do pretty well all around.

But for HPDE definetely the RT615's without a doubt. I run them in 255/40/17 for autocross and I love them.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

get 245/40/18 RT615's, actually cheaper than the 225/45/18's

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

with that said, i'm going to pick up the FK452's from edgeracing when my current set of RT615's are done. I drive way too much on the road that I can't justify getting a new set of RT615's EVERY YEAR, need something with longer tirewear and still do decent on the track.

SouthFL

Thanks for the feedback.

Spin9k

No doubt, RT615s will make you happy. I'd go for 235/40/18 for a bit more stable footprint and better gearing on track than the 245.

Winning 8

very one is talking about the RT 615, very popular around the HPDE.
better milage then the TOYO RA1 with a lot of grip.
this is the best tire for both world.

RX8SpdDmn

I have to post a hearty DISAGREEMENT WITH THE RT615's!!!!

My problem with the 615s is that they overheat extremely quickly. If you slide them in ONE turn, they WILL be slick on the next turn, and make you slide again!

I drove a very highly modded '93 MR2 Turbo (~2600 lbs) at Watkins Glen on 615s. I DID NOT like them. I think the tires are just highly specialized to work when stone cold (autox). They don't even always last for an entire autox run!!

So, you want proof? Here's video of a lap of me driving the MR2 at the Glen. If you watch when I'm going through turn 5d (the outer loop, or the right hander after the bus stop), I get a tiny bit of slide in the rear and correct for it. A half second later, the tail comes out because the tires overheated. I generally was not impressed with their performance on a track. They're also VERY heavy (stiff sidewalls). Here's the vid. Please right click and save it:

http://www.scottbarton.net/anthony/W...2@WGI-2;24.wmv

So, I've been running Dunlop SP SuperSport Race 255/35/18. I've gone through two sets of them after my stock RE040's. Unfortunately, they are no longer available. I've used them on the street and in autocross, as well as extensively on the track. They're at least as good as the RT615s in autox, but way better on the track. Here's a video in my RX-8 at Watkins Glen:

http://www.scottbarton.net/anthony/W...wo22Point1.wmv

So, I haven't given a recommendation yet. I'm first assuming that you will be driving these tires on the street, so you need some capability of water dissapation. If cost were no object, I would recommend the Bridgestone RE01R. It seems like that's gonna be the new ultimate street/track tire, although I haven't experienced them yet. Now, assuming that cost IS a factor, I have been extremely impressed with the Hankook R-S2 Z212. I have experienced them in a highly modded WRX at Mid-Ohio and another MR2 Turbo in autocross. ESPECIALLY for the price, they are absolutely pheonominal and they can do it all. They are fully capable on the track. www.thetireshoppe.com has them and show sizes 235/40/18 for $137 each and 265/25/18 for $175 each. I know, that's a big difference. I'm not sure why. However, I've got a contact that can match those prices, but INCLUDE SHIPPING. Email or PM me for his contact info.

Please consider these perspectives, as I think that the 615 is out of its element on a big track. They are too purpose-built for street-tire autocross classes.

Best of luck

SouthFL

^

Many thanks.

I've read similar feedback regarding the Rt-615 on other forums. I actually saw a set being used the other day at the track (I honestly don't know if they were being used with success), so I made the assumption that they would be fine at the track. I've also read similar positive feedback regarding the RE01R on other forums as well.

Perhaps I shouldn't limit myself to EdgeRacing selections despite having them located accross town (that's the point of this thread afterall ).

I still have plenty of time before making a purchase. Just scoping things out. I'll check out the vids when I get a chance BTW. Thanks!

I've used the Kook RS2 Z212's also on a modded WRX as well on track. Neat tire for the price. Also gets a little greasy when pushed very hard- but it holds up pretty well overall. A little less sidewall stiffness than the Rt-615 (I guess that's why the Azeni weighs so much?), but similar or perhaps a little more overall grip.

235 40 18 (as mentioned in the thread as an alternative) makes the RS2 available (as well as a plethora of other tires- including the RE01R). I wonder if this using this size is alright on the stock wheel (moreso if it would alter response much adversly, as I like the feel of the wheel/tire setup as-is with stock 225 45 tire).

Spin9k

At least on the RX-8 RT-615s (235/40/18s here on my 8) work fairly well for a street tire on track. Watch these laps, you'll see results compared to others on the same track.

Opinions on a tire's performance can vary widely on any particular car/ certainly different cars because of wheels, unknown tire sizes chosen, suspension setup, driving styles, certainly tire pressure used, etc. That's a lot of variables!

I've found the RT-615s have a certain range of tire pressure that works well, depending on the tire size (smaller tire width, higher pressure), and that they need to heat up a lap or two, to get the tread HOT (150-70 degrees) and good and sticky to be at their best - they actually look and feel like r-compounds when at the correct temp - everything starts sticking to them. Cold they are not so good, too little pressure and they are squishy. The stiff sidewall (actually it says "Reinforced" on the sidewall) is one of their best traits IMO, giving great tracking stability.


So let's see some results, yes? Here's a way to do a video side-by-side comparison. Launch one at a time these utube vid examples I've shown here - pause the utube at the 1st finish line along the front straight. Start my vid in Divx or WM Player next to it and as I pass the same line unpause the utube vid and watch the progression around the track. It's a good learning tool and an interesting comparision. You can make your own observations but i don't see me washing out anywhere, sliding off the track, or losing control even thou I'm in the ballpark with these random other cars...

...and beyond that it loads of fun having some excuse to watch and listen to cars blast around a track (we need an excuse?)

Me on a nice day at Mt tremblant:
Rx-8 2.05 w/Traqmate data display http://www.spin9k.com <last vid on home page

Porsche 933 2.03 w/Traqmate data display http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6AGiYUTLog

05 Mustang 2:04 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDMs_t_uK0U

Here's an interesting one, and looks impressive as hell - a race car with great sound effects, shift light, guages everywhere, guys has a handful with the steering....

Race Car qualifing lap 2:12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=490pqytRESk

onBike TV Chasing Corey Sherman at Circuit Mount-Tremblant 1:56 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLg_nGnK_cM

Ferrari (great sounding) 1:55 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVyzDFr0AgQ

Red Devil

I read a magazine comparo somewhere recently, between the Hankook RS-2s (if that's their newest Extreme Performance Street Tire), Kumho MX and Falken 615. The Hankook's came in first followed by the Falken in 2nd.

Enough so that I think I'll be purchasing those next when my MXs are worn.

balefire

iTrader: (2)

i heard the same about the hankook RS2, but I haven't found any in our 18" size. i would say rt-615 or bust.

ZoomZoomH

iTrader: (1)

your link here shows your video icon, but i did figure out how to play your video, NICE video!! the sharpest track video i've ever seen! gotta love the HD camcorder!!

RX8SpdDmn

Spin,

Are all those laps on RT615s? Maybe I just can't hear it over the other noise, but I didn't hear the tires sqealing too much, as they'll do right at their limit. You are very smooth (which usually means fast!). My comments regarding the 615s really apply when brought right to the limit, and especially, just beyond. I guess most people wouldn't experience this during a DE unless they were pushing really hard. What I didn't like about them was that they would, in fact, overheat with the slightest slide. Did you see my lap on them in the MR-2?

RX8SpdDmn

They're available in 235/40/18 (just slightly short) or 265/35/18 (should be just right).

blipblip

Absolutely right about the overheating issue with RT615. That said, I still like them. It poses a challenge for me, makes me (try ) to drive as smooth as possible, and force me to learn tire management.
I've also used about 3 sets of hankooks Z212s'. The previous comment on them are absolutely correct. I would just like to add, they perform better in wet too, comparing to RT615s. However, for RT615, the amount of grip throughout the life of the tire is quite consistent, not so for Z212s. Towards the end, the amount of grip will greatly decrease.

balefire

iTrader: (2)

the latter is actually shorter than the former. both are considerably shorter than stock...

if you can ignore the size discrepancy and the 2+% effect on mileage, i guess that would be ok.

personally, i'd be feeling the rt-615 at 255/40/18

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

Spin9k

opps <embarassed I didn't check the link>

Spin9k

No, I don't know what the other cars had for tires or anything else, just dug them of utube as likely examples of what some cars can do around Mt Tremblant as a way to show that although RT-615s aren't purpose made as "track only" tires, they are quite Ok and competitive and times are good (even considering our 8 is way underpowered comparatively to many of the cars). MT is a long track, but I've no problem on Loudon either (short track).

Also pointing out that I found them to be at there best HOT (I measure tire temps regularly), and I was purposefully at their howling limit most every turn (so I could back off and know there was nothing left on the table) and they did not slide or grease out for me anyway, but were easily modulated back and forth over their limit of adhesion and recovered very well wo/melting away. But this is me and my tire size, car setup (WL sways stiff, Autoexe strut braces, etc.)

As for your lap, yea I saw what happened, you know it's very hard to tell what's going on - it's a different car entirely than the 8, maybe they aren't good for it's characteristics or your particular setup. Wish i had a pit crew and lots of $$ for lots of different brand tires and could change them out a bunch of times in one day on one track to do a proper comparo.

This year I think I'm going to try some r-compounds, that'll be interesting I'm guessing!

RX8SpdDmn

You make good comments about different car set-up, etc. However, I feel that 615's ARE purpose built competition tires. They are made specifically to be the most competive tire in the street-tire classes for autocross (and these are exactly what I would buy if I was running an ST class!). Being the best street tire for autocross makes it good in many other conditions, but not necessarily the best in other conditions. Now, maybe its benefits outweigh its draw backs, but if I were going for a straight track tire, I would go with something more suited to it, and more purpose-built to the purpose I'm looking for.

I guess there's an x-factor that can't really be quantified. There was the overall feel of the tire. I was driving an incredible car (the MR-2... Here's the info on it: http://www.scottbarton.net/mr2/), yet there was that overall feel that I just didn't like. I could list out some potential contributors, but it was probably the sum of all of these things that added up to something that I didn't personally like. I'll repeat that it was something that I didn't personally like. I'm just providing another aspect

Spin9k

The GRMS story on tires I couldn't find before

http://www.grassrootsmotorsports.com...5_tiretest.pdf

Might be helpful in choosing your poison. Good read if you haven't seen it yet...

SouthFL

^
Great article. Thanks for posting.


On another note, anyone out there with feedback on these?

Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position
Size: 225/45ZR18
Serv. Desc: 91Y
UTQG: 140 AA A

Continental ContiSportContact 2
Size: 225/45ZR18
Load Rating XL
UTQG: 280 AA A

Continental ContiSportContact 3
Size: 225/45ZR18
Serv. Desc: 95W
UTQG: 280 AA A

GULAMAN

so to summarize the article: new Azenis>old Azenis>Hankook RS2>the rest

but this test compared quantitative *autocross* times. how they all compare as HPDE tires (more qualitative than quantitative) seems to be a different and trickier question altogether, as all the commentary here seems to suggest.

I'm gonna be in the market to replace my OEMs soon also, so I'm interested in this topic as well. but based on my positive prior experience w/the old Azenis on my previous car, I'm leaning towards staying w/ Falken.