Track Tire Type and Width

[steve00s]

I have been driving on Falken Azenis RT-615's for the last year and they have been great autocrossing and at the track. I have also driven daily on them. Grassroots Motorsports magazine continually rates them as the best autocross tire. At non-Porsche events you see alot of them but I've yet to see them at a Porsche event. 225/17 in the front and 255/17 in the back fully mounted for $650. I'm due for another set soon. Is there a better deal? Anybody have any negative experience with these?

[racer_d]

While I have heard good things about the Falken, part of their popularity has to do with there Treadwear rating, part of it their low cost. For some SCCA classes, you must use a certain treadwear rating (say, above 140) and "r"comp tires like RA1/R88s, V710s, and Hoosiers are so sticky that their treadwear rating (often 100 or less.. i think Hoosiers are rated at 20 or 30) disqualifies their use for certain classes.

[Sammy]

I have heard great things about the Falken's; however, they are not going to keep up with the typical R compound tire at autocrosses or at the track simply due to the tread rating. If I wanted the best happy medium of autocross and street tires I would go with the Falken's. I'm not sure what other tires are as good as the Falken's (near the same treadwear rating) that cost even remotely close?

[steve00s]

Sammy and race_d, I understand and agree with your comments. While I have often wondered how my car would perform on R compounds I also have to drive around on them. Maybe someday I'll get a set of track wheels/tires but in the meantime I believe the Falkens meet my needs and at the price it doesn't hurt so bad to replace them every year. Thanks for validating my thoughts.

[Sammy]

Originally Posted by steve00s

Sammy and race_d, I understand and agree with your comments. While I have often wondered how my car would perform on R compounds I also have to drive around on them. Maybe someday I'll get a set of track wheels/tires but in the meantime I believe the Falkens meet my needs and at the price it doesn't hurt so bad to replace them every year. Thanks for validating my thoughts.

Lets us know what you think of the Falkens both on and off the track. The best pricing I found on the 615's were at www.vulcantire.com. It's hard to beat $500 for a set of 17" tires.

[steve00s]

The $650 I was quoted was at Sears of all places. That included mounting, balancing, tire disposal fee, taxes, etc. I did do two track days and about half a dozen autocross events last year in addition to every day driving and found them to be very capable on the track.

[boxster or briefs]

Originally Posted by steve00s

I have been driving on Falken Azenis RT-615's for the last year and they have been great autocrossing and at the track. I have also driven daily on them. Grassroots Motorsports magazine continually rates them as the best autocross tire. At non-Porsche events you see alot of them but I've yet to see them at a Porsche event. 225/17 in the front and 255/17 in the back fully mounted for $650. I'm due for another set soon. Is there a better deal? Anybody have any negative experience with these?

A friend of mine use to work for Tire Pros. He recommends, to get the best price, shop online for the cheapest price and then goto your local dealer and negotiate for the same rate. Make sure that you ask your local dealer to include road hazard, and weight and balance for the same price too. I tried it and it worked. Good luck.

To All:
According to Grassroots Motorsports magazine Feb 2008 vol 25 #1 p. 80 Bridgestone "Potenza RE-01R became the Street Touring tire to beat in 2007." IMHO if possible I would look for a longer treadware (e.g. 180+) if available since you will be using them for street/track. Hope it helps