Okay, the season is starting to get into full swing, and it's time to start ordering tires. My co-driver and I are thinking of trying some 285s out this season, but before we commit I'd like to get some feedback from the people on this board. I'm not completely convinced they'll offer an advantage over the 245s, but as a 5-year veteran of C Stock this wouldn't be the first time I've been accused of being a lemming.

I'm not interested in buying ho-hos, so if we can limit the discussion to 245 versus 285 V710s, I'd appreciate it. Pros? Cons? Anyone run the two that can offer a comparison? I know my tire guy is gonna hate me if I go to 285s, but are there any benefits that make it worthwhile?

 

I don't know that there is enough data at this point.

Cons: 285 weighs and cost more.
Pros: marginally bigger contact patch.

So far the only data point with the 285 on an RX8 is Dixie. Carter won, and he beat Buckley by the same amount as he did at natls driving a Z on 285s. So I would say it is clear as mud and the results so far mean nothing.

 

Jason, are you planning on sticking with the 245s until/unless something changes, or have you thought about experimenting with the 285s?

 

Has anyone besides Carter been able to get the 285 Kumho to seat?

 

Don't know if this helps much but I put a set of 17X9.5 Enkei's on my RX-8 that had 275/40/17 V710's on it from an Evo and it fit just fine. Didn't run them on a course before I dismounted them though.

 

your first challenge will be finding someone who can actually mount a 285 V710 on an 8" wheel

 

Does not help at all, he is talking about a BS setup with a 18X8 wheel. btw we also know that a 285-30-18 on a 18X9.5 will fit, and that does not help either.

 

I will stick with the 245.

 

What is Carter's secret. KY?

 

So what size tire will the bag head be on with his new co-driver at El Toro.

 

285 on 8" rim looks weird, I fit 255 on 8" rim and it already looked like crap.

 

I wonder what usable footprint you would gain...I'd think not much?

 

you'll just have to wait and see what comes out of the bag


.

 

Even Richard Belzer eventually took off his bag.

 

I was referring to the tire bag, not the head bag ...

 

I would be very surprised if it was anything other than the very low run set of 245's you had on the car at Oakland...particularly when you'll be running the STU car soone enough...

 

yeah they were brand new, we were just scrubbing them in

 

I'd guess he's going with Advans in 275 fashion.

and yeah, back to the original post..
if you do go with 285s, i'm sure the place that mounts them is going to be cursing you for many years to come.
i am trying to get 275s for my 9" rim... i think that wont be TOO much of a problem.

-hS

 

275 fits on a 9" fine, the perfect width for that size of tire is a 9.5" wheel.

 

We were in the same boat, with sticker 285 Hoosiers...the wet conditions didn't make it any easier to get them scrubbed.

Back to the topic, I don't think I'd try to fit the 285 Kumho, if I was running Kumhos. People are going fast on the 245, the 245 costs quite a bit less (particularly when you add in the cost of mounting the 285 Kumho, if you can find someone who can do it) and the car will probably feel better through the wheel. Of course, some drivers just like, and do better on, big axx tires...

 

Sure, the bigger tires are better at masking sloppy inputs.

 

Carter saw a significant increase in tire longevity when he went to the 285 on his Z. Even though the 285 costs a little more, its cheaper on a $ per run basis. IMO this is the major reason to go that direction; if you can find someone who knows how to do it.

 

You think that's why Matthew Braun wanted to try the 285's on my car?

 

I don't fault you / Matt for trying it, I just don't think it's the way to go. It didn't work with our setup, and the tires felt like crap. But if you don't know any different, then it may feel great to you.

I doubt the per-run cost is actually lower, Dennis, because the V710 heat cycles out long before the rubber is gone. On the Z, you basically have no camber curve up front so maybe it can help. On the 8, the camber curve is excellent and we've tossed out 100+ run V710s with plenty of tread but no durometer. The 285s wouldn't have helped us there.

As for the 285 Hoosier not only do they feel sloppy but they cord quickly. Whoopee.

 

What if you get beat by 1 tenth? Will you change to 285's then?


I like the 285's so far but I can not compare since I have never been on the 245's.




CT