New Falken Azenis Tires
 

Here's the first picture that I've seen of the new Azenis. I know that people have been waiting for this tire to be released so here it is. I will likely be buying a set.

They even make it in the right size... not a bad price at all either.

http://www.vulcantire.com/azenis_rt615_t.htm

I read that they are slotted between R-compound & regular ultra high performance tires. From the traedwear of 200 that seems to be the case. I think they are going to be awesome tires.

ouch treadwear 200.... awesome traction i don't doubt.. but im more of a daily driver so i'll find something that'll last a wee bit longer :D

I have been waiting on these as well. Available in a 245/40/18 in late June. I will definitely try them out as my next set of tires.

Going to be a good year for tires. The new Toyo T1-R's look awesome as well. Gonna be lots of reviews on the SCCA forums on whose the best in a few months :).

I got 17K on a set of Azenis on my miata :) :D

they look like semi-slicks... can't wait for a comparison test

also keep an eye out for the advan neova and toyo t1-r

finally other companies are answering the rt-215, and in our sizes!

Late June for the 615? I can't wait that long, I've got the USCC to prepare for!!!

CRH

you'd better run DOT cheater slicks for USCC

Well, my original intention was to use the same tires for the round trip AND the competition. After all, what good is a STREET car challenge if we use tires that are not really practical on the street? Anybody who would run RA-1's, or similar, would have the budget of a sponsored vehicle, which is why I may change my perspective. I recently picked up a sponsorship package so I now must re-evaluate my parts list and cut costs/raise performance levels due to the sponsors I have on-board. What still holds true for me is that even if I just get in the 10 car field I'll be honored to represent the rotary/RX-8 crowd. It's time I put all this yapping of mine to the test.


CRH

if you want to participate, and not win...but make me real happy then run with some near R tires.

while it is a fair contest for a STREET car, there are some things (like dot-R tires) that are realistically limited to those with sponsorship packages.

best of luck though! USCC is death to most rotaries.

I just got my sponsorship contract and I may run R-rated tires if accepted in the contest. I am not sure at this point. I guess the best thing to do is wait and see next month if I am even in the thing. Then I'll decide on wheels and tires.

I have read about the past rotaries and I think the Renesis has a much better shot than past versions. Remember, last year's winner was well-balanced car that didn't dominate in a way most people would have expected. When I read about that MR2 I thought the RX-8 could come close with the right mods. With sticky tires I know that even with the 55 shot I currently have I can hold my own against last year's camp in a few categories. Adding my turbo and some dyno time should make a real competitior.

Unfortunately, it seems that Falken is not one of my sponsors. I'll see if they would like to jump on board.

CRH

yea, i agree the renesis stands a greater chance overall than previous wankels. balance is key to a win, and luckily we have loads of that on board :D

now we just have to rally up EVERY rx8club member to vote for you in the election portion.

I was at a speed shop a few weeks ago and, like usual, got to talking about racing and stuff and the USCC. I didn't know until then that there is a popular vote portion to the contest. The guys at the shop, as nice as they are, told me they would put the word out to help get the votes going. Thanks for suggesting the same here. I hope I am the only one who has submitted an entry from this forum because I would hate to have any of that kind of conflict around here(not that we don't already have other conflicts going :)).

Epi, you mentioned balance and when I looked at last year's numbers I thought that we can certainly compete with that. I am not fooling myself here, as I am aware of the nature of competition. I am just very confident about all of this and my luck has been phenomenal for the past 6-7 months. I am, quite literally, having dreams come true and opportunities open up like never before. Plus, it seems that I have decent friendships happening on this forum.

CRH

anyone have Falken GRB FK-451 Tires . I'd like to know how they perform on the 8

I need a new set . Sidewall blew on my hancook (piece of crap winter tire)

you probably already know most of this, but i've been a long time SCC reader (7 years now I think) and I always look forward to the USCC contest, so here's my advice. let's look at 04's tests, they change slightly year to year..

Car Show - we're not handicapped here at all, but remember the judging panel doesn't work for super street, so minimize vinyl to whatever is absolutely necessary from your sponsors. Balance is key here too, think up an image for the car and stick to it. We're faced with two facets of show modfications:-luxury (forged chrome wheels, au-to bahn style kits, etc) and JDM performance (you can figure that one out)

Guru Panel - you'll need something catchy to win points here. custom clean jobs helped the mr2 last year. sit on it for awhile and think of something to impresse the nerds

Dyno Test - big handicap here. whether or not our cars dyno properly, you simply cannot match some of the numbers other cars can put down

Emissions - good cat + good tune = good to go.

Grandma Test - easy score here

Driveability Test - make up for lost dyno points here. we have naturally flat TQ curves, so keep your tune this way. this is probably the most important test, as it effects many of the other

Fuel Economy - uh oh! lol

Skidpad - test, test, test...as we saw with the pettit car, slapping random parts onto the suspension only works for econoboxes. i'd consider zeal coilovers here, as they offer the most precisely customized coilover kits you can get. lots of skidpad/slamon tuning here to get it just right

Road Course - make up for lost 1/4 mile pts here. with a flat powerband and good suspension, you should be able to hold you own here. the straights will hurt you though, so if you're driving, practice alot

Acceleration - just try not to get last...too many people build cars with 1/4 times as their primary goal. just go light as possible without upsetting grandma

Braking - most of the BBK's out for us are a black art..look into them and remember the pettit car

Gross Display of HP - in your hands

and of course the unmentioned test of reliability..given that the aftermarket development for ours cars is limited, there simply isnt enough parts out there to create the reliability issues of a..cough...dsm. test test test...

anyway, you've got my vote! best of luck!

edit: these were the 03 tests, but i'm pretty sure theyre the same

Okay, Epi, point by point:

1) I already planned on having every mod done with the utmost in taste and design. Hiding wires and keeping the bling to the humble side of things.
2) Ti PPf and undercarriage was/is supposed to be the guru panel stuff. I'll come up with something one-off to get then scratching their heads.
3) I didn't think the dyno test was going to be a strong point for us/me, so I won't be disappointed there.
4) Emissions are out the window since I have no cat. As it is one of the more effective mods, I am leaving it off.
5) With my light fly and finesse I can shift this thing as smooth as an automatic slush-box. No kidding.
6) Again, even with the light fly the car will take off from a dead-stop without the need for feathering the throttle. As smooth as it gets.
7) 22-24 mpg is the best I can get. With a turbo who knows? Not a focal point.
8) I now have the Racing Beat stuff but I have the top names available for some new coil-overs.
9) The road course was one area I thought I might do well in. I'm going to Road Atlanta for the HPDE so I can learn some stuff from people who know more than me.
10) One thing about the RX-8 is that even with modest h.p. numbers we can still go damn fast. Remember, I am running around 12.7 with a meager 55 shot and stock tires. With R-rated tires and a turbo that has been dyno tuned I am confident that low 12's or even high 11's are possible, even in California. Another thing; it didn't seem like too many of those drivers knew how to handle a 1/4 mile. I do.
11) The RX-8's brakes are awesome. With new calipers, rotors, and pads it will only get better.
12) I get no traction in first gear right now. Maybe that will come in handy.
13) I have pounded the Hell out of this car and it never complains. Even winter driving and getting stuck in the snow doesn't bother it.

Well, Epi, thanks for the support and looking out for me. If you have any other thoughts or ideas let me know.

CRH

yea, i forgot about you Ti PPF project..that kinda stuff gets the geeks all excited.

sounds like you've got a pretty good plan, i can't wait to see an 8 take the trophy!

I originally planned on just hoping to not get embarrassed but part of my sponsorship requires that I diligently pursue victory. So, at the urgence of my sponsors.....

Actually, if the editorial staff at least raises their eyebrows a bit and look forward to seeing more RX-8's in the contest, or maybe a new version of the RX-7, I will have done all I can at that point.

CRH