I have ASA 16x7 track only wheels and have run Yoko ES100's in 205/50/16. I'm now wanting to go to an R compound tire. My #1 choice is the Nitto NT01, but it only comes in 245/50/16. Will this size fit the MINI? My car has sport springs/shocks, so it's 1" lower than stock, along with camber plates in the front.

Other tires would be the RA1 and the Azenis RT615 (not R compound but close). I'm open to other suggestions as well.

Comments on if the 245/50 will work and/or experience with the other tires would be appreciated. I know the RA1's are good, wondering if the RT615 is close to the same grip but cheaper for DE's. Thanks!

Aaron

 

I wouldn't run the 245/50... You'll need copius trimming and the OD is too big, IMHO.

Toyo makes the R888 in 225/45R16 - that would be my choice. Otherwise, look for a 215/45 or 215/40 in a 16" size.

The RT-615 is nowhere NEAR the grip offered by the RA-1...

 

205/50 R16 on special right now at Frisby Performance Tire for $85 each.

http://www.frisbyracetire.com/misc_tires.asp

Cheaper than the Azenis .

These will have been sitting in a warehouse for ~3 years and are the older version of the medium compound (according to a Hankook representative who posted on SCCA Forums: current tires use the same compound, but have one fewer ply in the carcass).

 

I'm currently burning through a set of the C30 compound of these for my E30 I've had them for almost 2 seasons (probably about 20 track days, plus countless auto-x runs) and for my first set of r-compunds I'm rather happy with them. They're just adequate for auto-x but work quite well for DE's. R888's and RA-1's are also good alternatives

 

I just bought a set myself. They are intended for autocross. A misuse of the medium tire compound, I know. Following discussion with members of the local club that I compete with, I came to the conclusion that this represents a lot grip for the money.

 

Nice price, but I run 225/45/15.

 

Thanks for the advice guys, I just ordered the C50 compound in 205/50/16, which is perfect for my 16x7 wheels. $85 per tire, what a deal! Glad I have NAM people to help me out!

Aaron

 

Check them carefully when they arrive. Mine had identical DOT, batch #, and production dates. They had identical applied labels on the tread surfaces and sidewalls, but one of the four had "C70" molded into the sidewall.

Eric Frisby responded to my e-mail quickly, and a replacement was sent the same day.

 

Just got mine in. Checked them all and all had C50 molded into the sidewall, so I got the right tires. They will be mounted on Monday and I'll run them at the Frost on the Pumpkin BMW DE Nov 1st-2nd. I'll let everyone know how they do. Thanks again for the help!

Aaron

 

Please do. I won't be using mine until late April.

 

Any suggestions on tire pressures for these? I run my Yoko ES100's around 34-36 cold to get to 41 hot. Does that sound right for these or should I go lower?

 

I'm glad I found this thread. I ordered a set of 205/50R16 Hankook Z214 C50's myself.

FYI... I have issue of grassroots motorsports Oct 07 issue, where they tested the bunch of R-comps, like Hoosier R6 and BFG R1s. Basically, Hankook Z214 C51 was the most "autoX" type tire of the bunch, as it generated massive amount of grip quickly in first few laps. It had the fastest time only in the 1st lap (out of 10).

That works for me, as I plan to use it for autoX.