RE71RS vs. old A052s at Thompson (CT)

[ZDan]

Did Thompson Speedway road course with COMSCC last Friday/Saturday.
1st sessions day one were on old A052s (one pair totally slick), I did a best lap of 1:22.3 on them with some understeer with the slick pair up front). 2nd half of the day I threw the RE71RS on, but thing is I was having to do lead-follow instructing (in the 1:29s) in the student group just prior to being able to do hot laps in the instructor run group. Tires felt OK with good balance but was stuck in the 1:23s. Next day 1st laps in the AM, did a couple of laps just below 1:21.5 (vs. T50 class record of 1:21.7) on the RE71RS, >1.5s faster, yes! Pulled in and took them right off and set them aside to save them for mid-afternoon time trial. Did next practice on the old A052s and was in the 1:23s on them with lotsa oversteer with the slick ones in back, yee-haw! Mid-afternoon time trial, did a disappointing 1:22.2 on the RE-71RS, just missing 2nd place by ~0.05s, beaten by two NC Miatae But a tick faster than my fastest A052 lap for the event. But with two of those A052s pretty much done...

My impression is that *for quickest lap times* RE-71RS need to start from stone cold. Then I'd say they might be close to on-par with A052s that are still in their prime, but only for like 3 laps max. I think fresh(er) A052s should be quite a bit faster throughout the day particularly for extended lapping.

Think I'ma get a set of Nankang CR-1 (CR-S now?) before next event. Run them in the AM on day one of the event, then a session on the RE-71RS and if the B'stones are actually faster I'll take them right off and not run them again until time trial on afternoon of day 2.

If A052s were available I'd get a set. But I think the Nankangs are pretty close to them in the dry.

Any other recommendations? Need to stick with 200tw category or have to add significant ballast...

[Icecreamtruk]

CRS are pretty darn good and require a similar setup to the yokos. Give them a try.

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by Icecreamtruk

CRS are pretty darn good and require a similar setup to the yokos. Give them a try.

My understanding is that CR-S is unchanged from CR-1, name change only, izzat right? I ran the CR-1s a couple of events last year and honestly the lap times were within margin of error and my consistency vs. the A052s. I ran the CR-1s early session and did same lap times on A052s later when the track was supposedly ~0.5s slower, soI would guess same lap times to no more than 0.5s slower at Palmer...

[Kelse92]

Marketing based name change is my understanding, not sure why

[Icecreamtruk]

Originally Posted by ZDan

My understanding is that CR-S is unchanged from CR-1, name change only, izzat right? I ran the CR-1s a couple of events last year and honestly the lap times were within margin of error and my consistency vs. the A052s. I ran the CR-1s early session and did same lap times on A052s later when the track was supposedly ~0.5s slower, soI would guess same lap times to no more than 0.5s slower at Palmer...

Yeah CRS is about the same as CR1 and your laptimes and guesses about it vs the yoko a052 have been the similar to mine.

[cmiovino]

I really liked the A052's for autocross. No track experience. I have a RT660's this year due to the price difference of about $300 and being told the 660's do better on lower camber cars. I liked the Yoks better and my times have shown it.

Haven't seen a ton of people on the RE-71RS yet. Only a few. It'll be interesting once a more people try them. If they're the same price as the Yoks and the Yoks give slightly better times, people will gravitate there.

[NoHaveMSG]

I, along with a few others in my area did not care for the RT lapping. Most of those guys are into AX and said they worked pretty well there.

Where the heck are you guys finding the Nankangs? I would like to try them and have looked at a bunch of online retailers and even ebay and could never find them.

[MX-5RACER]

What about the new Continental ExtremeContact Force or the new Kumho V730? I have heard good things about both, but nothing from anyone running a BRZ or FRS.

[Icecreamtruk]

Originally Posted by MX-5RACER

What about the new Continental ExtremeContact Force or the new Kumho V730? I have heard good things about both, but nothing from anyone running a BRZ or FRS.

The extreme contact is an enduro tire. A bit faster than an RS4 but similar durability. Way off pace for time trials vs the hot stuff 200tw.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by MX-5RACER

What about the new Continental ExtremeContact Force or the new Kumho V730? I have heard good things about both, but nothing from anyone running a BRZ or FRS.

I know one guy who has run the v730 on a BRZ. He seemed to like them more then the RT for lapping. For reference he has run a052, 71rs, rt660, rs4, and SX2’s along with the stock tires and some other tires comparable to the SX2. Kid does like 20 track days a year and is very fast.

[donour]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

Where the heck are you guys finding the Nankangs? I would like to try them and have looked at a bunch of online retailers and even ebay and could never find them.

Phil's tire service in NY will ship you some. The website is old, but they are a reputable retailer and understand racers.

I've been a big fan of the CR-1/S on the twins for autocross. My experience has been at odds with conventional wisdom. They like pretty big slip angles (lots of steering input, keep turning) and work over a fairly wide range of temperatures. I hated them for the first few events because I couldn't get the compound to "turn-on". Then I ran the NJ prosolo (95+ degees) and got them REALLY hot. From them on they were much, much faster. Make sure you heat cycle thoroughly, no joke.

[Autoxer62]

Originally Posted by Kelse92

Marketing based name change is my understanding, not sure why

That's easy, some old VP forgot the name, so marketing decided to re-name the tire in their honor.

CRS = Can't Remember Stuff

[treedodger]

Originally Posted by MX-5RACER

What about the new Continental ExtremeContact Force or the new Kumho V730? I have heard good things about both, but nothing from anyone running a BRZ or FRS.

I've run the V730 w/ my GR86. Very similar to a RS-4, but maybe a bit faster. More of an endurance tire than other tires mentioned (RT660, etc), so it's slower, but longer lasting.
Great for general HPDE, but not so good if you want to set TW200 lap records.

[Muskoka800]

ZDan
How are the Stones for wear rate compared to Yok’s?
The 71RS is billed as more endurance oriented so I was considering them or Conti Force.
I’m getting 4-5 lapping days with A052 which I enjoy. But wouldn’t mind rubber that could extend life for a few more days. Especially now that my commute to the track has increased from 1 hour to nearly 3 hours highway.