[trialmaster]

So it is about that time where the stock tires are almost slicks and need to be replaced. What tires does everyone run/like for Auto-x. I am looking to stay with street tires for the time being, however they do not have to be good in the rain (not my DD). I have heard good things about Nitto NT555's but wasn't sure what other good options there are. I would like to keep it reasonably priced (trying to stay under 200 a tire) but want to explore all the available options.

I was a little confused about Nitto NT555R's and NT05R's as they are considered drag radials. The tread pattern is more aggressive (more contact) however I didn't know if a 'drag radial' would be good for auto x. Thanks for the help.

[cbjohnson9]

Don't go drag radial for autox, the sidewalls are not stiff told hold up in hard cornering.

I ran 555's last year and they felt pretty good. Predictable and consistent in heat cycling. 42 up front and 40 psi for 245/45/17's seemed to work well for my car. I also dd my car so I wanted a high performance tire that gave me decent longevity. I got about 30,000 miles out of them with a season of autox. If it's not your daily and rain isn't a factor, I'd go more aggressive but I'll let others throw their opinions in for tires better than 555's.

[Whiskey11]

For Street Tires:

Dunlop Direzza Z1 Sport Star Specs
Hankook RS-3
Bridgestone Potenza RE-11
Toyo RA1

Those are the tires that are used almost exclusively in the Street Touring category. Heavier cars tend to run Dunlops, Hankooks or Bridgestones, lighter cars run the RA1.

[Smilieboy]

Based on my experience at the last event, the NT-05s worked pritty damn well. Held up and didn't break traction.

[hotmustang95]

Originally Posted by Smilieboy Based on my experience at the last event, the NT-05s worked pritty damn well. Held up and didn't break traction.

Second vote for Nitto's NT-05's. Never used them myself but I've seen a few guys run them on the AutoX and Road Coarse with great results.

[trialmaster]

I was looking more into the NT05's today and they look like a great mix of performance, wear, and price. I found 245-40R18's for $160 a tire which sounds like a pretty good deal to me, compared to looking at the tires that whiskey mentioned most of which were $250+. Thanks for the input so far, I have some time to decide because unfortunately i'm looking to put the car down for the winter after this obnoxious snow storm that just hit NE... Maybe a few more weeks at this rate

[Whiskey11]

Originally Posted by trialmaster I was looking more into the NT05's today and they look like a great mix of performance, wear, and price. I found 245-40R18's for $160 a tire which sounds like a pretty good deal to me, compared to looking at the tires that whiskey mentioned most of which were $250+. Thanks for the input so far, I have some time to decide because unfortunately i'm looking to put the car down for the winter after this obnoxious snow storm that just hit NE... Maybe a few more weeks at this rate

The Dunlops are $210 each for 245/40/18. To each there own, the Nitto is a good tire but they are not winning at Nationals for autocross, and that should be a pretty big indicator of how corner carving oriented the tires are. Now, I know people use Nitto in the road course stuff with good results, but there is a huge difference between reaching peak G's on tires that have a mile or more to get to operating temperature compared to tires which have less than 20 yards to do it. Not to mention the issue of weight transfer. If I was focusing on running road course, the Nitto would be an obvious choice because I can get it to it's operating temps over the course of the track, but in Autocross the tires have to come up to operating temps nearly instantly. Do I think it's worth the $60 more per tire to have a tire that comes up to temps quickly and doesn't heat cycle quickly? Yeah, I really do!!

Obviously with any summer performance tire you need a set of cold weather wheels/tires.

[hotmustang95]

Originally Posted by Whiskey11 The Dunlops are $210 each for 245/40/18. To each there own, the Nitto is a good tire but they are not winning at Nationals for autocross, and that should be a pretty big indicator of how corner carving oriented the tires are. Now, I know people use Nitto in the road course stuff with good results, but there is a huge difference between reaching peak G's on tires that have a mile or more to get to operating temperature compared to tires which have less than 20 yards to do it. Not to mention the issue of weight transfer. If I was focusing on running road course, the Nitto would be an obvious choice because I can get it to it's operating temps over the course of the track, but in Autocross the tires have to come up to operating temps nearly instantly. Do I think it's worth the $60 more per tire to have a tire that comes up to temps quickly and doesn't heat cycle quickly? Yeah, I really do!! Obviously with any summer performance tire you need a set of cold weather wheels/tires.

He doesn't seem to really be interested in the best track tire out there to win competitions and cost an arm and a leg. Just something nice and affordable that'll have great grip, last a little bit and allow him to drive around town if he wishes.

[Whiskey11]

Originally Posted by hotmustang95 He doesn't seem to really be interested in the best track tire out there to win competitions and cost an arm and a leg. Just something nice and affordable that'll have great grip, last a little bit and allow him to drive around town if he wishes.

I'm sure that 15k miles and 2 full seasons of autocross surely counts as getting your money's worth? I've read more out of the Dunlops and they obviously perform. Like I said, to each their own. If I can get a single season out of mine next year I'll be thrilled, but a single season is at least 12k miles and 12 or so hard run events (roughly 45 runs) sounds like a good use of my $1000 to buy, ship, mount and balance the tires.

[Smilieboy]

I'll add to my statement, once i get back i will be buying a new set of tires which will become dedicated autox. Nittos are good for getting your feet wet, but as wiskey said, they likely won't win much unless they are on the only car in that class.

[trialmaster]

I don't plan on tracking my car next year (although things change) but my main use will be Auto X events, including short courses in ct (roughly 35 sec) and plan on attending most SCCA solo events in MA which run around 70 or 80 seconds. I will use it to drive around on nice days but not all the time or commuting.

I am certainly not set on anything as of now, but you are completely correct about not being able to heat up the tires, or having to do it instantly. you really never run a course with warm tires because it is just not long enough, and then you have to rest before the next run.

With the stock tires, (bfgoodrich g-force somethings) I got about a year and a half and 15,000 miles out of them (I think I ran around 15 events or so total). What can I expect to get out of say the Dunlops about the same or worse than that? I would be ok having to buy a set every year if I run events the whole year.

I am looking to be competitive, however I am more interested in improving my driving and personal times. But I will use my PAX times to compare myself to everyone else. Certainly my driving can ALWAYS be improved, but suspension mods will hopefully be down the road. One step at a time, and since the car wont go without tires, that is first on the list.

[Whiskey11]

Originally Posted by trialmaster I don't plan on tracking my car next year (although things change) but my main use will be Auto X events, including short courses in ct (roughly 35 sec) and plan on attending most SCCA solo events in MA which run around 70 or 80 seconds. I will use it to drive around on nice days but not all the time or commuting. I am certainly not set on anything as of now, but you are completely correct about not being able to heat up the tires, or having to do it instantly. you really never run a course with warm tires because it is just not long enough, and then you have to rest before the next run. With the stock tires, (bfgoodrich g-force somethings) I got about a year and a half and 15,000 miles out of them (I think I ran around 15 events or so total). What can I expect to get out of say the Dunlops about the same or worse than that? I would be ok having to buy a set every year if I run events the whole year. I am looking to be competitive, however I am more interested in improving my driving and personal times. But I will use my PAX times to compare myself to everyone else. Certainly my driving can ALWAYS be improved, but suspension mods will hopefully be down the road. One step at a time, and since the car wont go without tires, that is first on the list.

Any of these tires are going to wear "quickly". Several folks reporting that they are getting the 15k that the UTWG says they should get (7500 miles per 100 treadwear) out of the Dunlops + track days and autocrosses. I plan on replacing mine every year. There are a few reports of the dunlops going to 20k and dozens of autocrosses and track days and still have some life left on them.

The stock KDWS are pretty crappy. Mine wore the tread blocks very quickly while autocrossing. The tread blocks are poorly designed to take heavy cornering loads.