HPDE tires - 2019 edition

[ZDan]

I've been running the Yok A052s on my Cayman this year. Grip is great! Including in the rain (at least when they're new) But life is very short... I only got 4 track days (one of those in the wet!) out of them before the tread started separating on the fronts. I've only run clockwise circuits and at the end of the last one I saw that the outside tread of the left (outside) front was delaminating. At first I thought maybe -2.9 isn't enough front camber but then discovered that the INSIDE of the front right tire tread was also delaminating! I had to take slow roads home as I could hear and feel the fronts trying to come apart above about 55mph

Meanwhile I'm now dailying the BRZ on RE71Rs that have 10 track days (2 wet) on them. They're slicks now, but not corded or delaminated!

Conclusion: A052s are quick, but short-lived and fragile

[Icecreamtruk]

Originally Posted by ZDan

I've been running the Yok A052s on my Cayman this year. Grip is great! Including in the rain (at least when they're new) But life is very short... I only got 4 track days (one of those in the wet!) out of them before the tread started separating on the fronts. I've only run clockwise circuits and at the end of the last one I saw that the outside tread of the left (outside) front was delaminating. At first I thought maybe -2.9 isn't enough front camber but then discovered that the INSIDE of the front right tire tread was also delaminating! I had to take slow roads home as I could hear and feel the fronts trying to come apart above about 55mph

Meanwhile I'm now dailying the BRZ on RE71Rs that have 10 track days (2 wet) on them. They're slicks now, but not corded or delaminated!

Conclusion: A052s are quick, but short-lived and fragile

I havent had a direct compairison between A052 and RE71R yet, and I sadly havent driven the RE71R (because I listened to people that they dont work at a track, I should know better by now not to listen to random woes of people in the paddock). Would you say they are as good as the yokos? Thread life aside, RE71R are easier to get ehre, and around $100 per tire less so it would make sense from an economic point of view, and from a time trial point of view as well (new tires > old tires, always).

I will probably bite the bullet when my yokos are done and buy a set of RE71R, but I wont be able to do a side by side as I did with nittos NT01 and nankang AR1s (both agaisnt the yoko, same day, same size, or width at least, same wheel, same car). Btw, the yoko blew those two off the water easily.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by Icecreamtruk

I havent had a direct compairison between A052 and RE71R yet, and I sadly havent driven the RE71R (because I listened to people that they dont work at a track, I should know better by now not to listen to random woes of people in the paddock).

I tend to overdrive tires and I get at least 6 good laps per session w RE71R (within a couple/few tenths).

Would you say they are as good as the yokos? Thread life aside, RE71R are easier to get ehre, and around $100 per tire less so it would make sense from an economic point of view, and from a time trial point of view as well (new tires > old tires, always).

Can't say for certain, as I haven't run both sets of tires on both cars, just RE71R on the BRZ and A052 on the Cayman.
I will say that last year I was running similar (within couple/few tenths) lap times with 225/45-17 RE71R and 235/40-17 NT01s, with the RE71Rs quicker laps being earlier in the session and NT01 being later. RE71R likely the better time trial tire by probably ~2-3 tenths, maybe as much as half a second for same-size vs. same-size.

Actually, now that I think about it I was running ~40 lb. lighter with the RE71R because fewer tire points vs. NT01. My best guess would be RE71R slightly quicker vs. NT01 all else equal, but not by half a second.

[pcs]

215 SX2 will also work. Better feel if you're using them on stock width wheels.

PS4S are also great because they will be one of the better rain tires on the track. You won't want to get too crazy with them (or any tire in the wet), but running that type of tire (and generally driving on the track in the rain) will really refine your inputs and will greatly accelerate your driver mod.

[timurrrr]

For stock BRZ Performance Package wheels (7.5" width), is 215/45R17 a better size for SX2s or 225/45R17?

[Pat]

I'd vote 225, but either will get the job done just fine.

[femaledog]

Originally Posted by pcs

You won't want to get too crazy with them (or any tire in the wet), but running that type of tire (and generally driving on the track in the rain) will really refine your inputs and will greatly accelerate your driver mod.

Big +1 for having tires you can go out on in the rain. I've driven as many wet track days as dry track days with this car and they are very valuable.

[pcs]

Originally Posted by timurrrr

For stock BRZ Performance Package wheels (7.5" width), is 215/45R17 a better size for SX2s or 225/45R17?

I run 215s with a PP width tire with good results. The feel is more crisp and direct.

[Jordanwolf]

Interesting, no one has said Firehawk Indy 500's, but there has been lots of chat about these tires here.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Jordanwolf

Interesting, no one has said Firehawk Indy 500's, but there has been lots of chat about these tires here.

I don't think they are that comparable to the 200TW tires the OP is looking at.

I am surprised there is no love for the Dunlop Z3. I just switched to them and am very happy with them. The wear is not nearly as good as the Hankooks but they feel great and are very consistent even when hot. They preformed pretty well in the wet too.

[Goingnowherefast]

Originally Posted by Jordanwolf

Interesting, no one has said Firehawk Indy 500's, but there has been lots of chat about these tires here.

This is the HPDE tire thread tho, firehawk is street tires for people that can't afford Michelin PS4's and Conti ECS's

[Jordanwolf]

Originally Posted by Goingnowherefast

This is the HPDE tire thread tho, firehawk is street tires for people that can't afford Michelin PS4's and Conti ECS's

All the tires mentioned in the thread are "street" tires.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Jordanwolf

Interesting, no one has said Firehawk Indy 500's, but there has been lots of chat about these tires here.

They're worth mentioning as a budget beater tire, probably better than a Sumitomo, not quite as good as a PSS in my experience but that's about all there is to say about them when it comes to driving cars hard.

Decent sidewall stiffness, road noise, grip is on par with 300TW summers, water manners like other summers, etc. The most standout thing about them was the price, but they got more expensive when they got more popular.

[Jordanwolf]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

They're worth mentioning as a budget beater tire, probably better than a Sumitomo, not quite as good as a PSS in my experience but that's about all there is to say about them when it comes to driving cars hard.

Decent sidewall stiffness, road noise, grip is on par with 300TW summers, water manners like other summers, etc. The most standout thing about them was the price, but they got more expensive when they got more popular.

Truly my only reason for bringing them up is their popularity.

I'm also currently shopping, but doubt I will be going for a tire like the Indy 500's. Trying for consistent/reliable/price while sacrificing sticky and everywhere I read, the Indy 500's are not this.

SX2's look to be discontinued, old (2015 tire) and difficult to source.