hi all! i've raced my r56 in autocross for the last two years and after destroying the factory runflats and halfway through some newer tires I've decided that, rather than give up racing, i would go with a dedicated race tire and possibly some other mods. My question to all is, what size/type tire are you racing on and what are the most beneficial changes you've made to your mini?

 

i also plan on getting new wheels to go with them so the size of the the rim is variable

 

what class?

 

I am going with Falken Azenis RT-615 205/50/15's.

 

well, last year it was g-stock and now theyve moved it to d-stock and there are very few people that race in that class around here so I may change some other things to try a different class. but for now I'm just in d-stock

 

It looks like you have 16" rims. If you are running street tires I would go with Dunlop Dirrezza's in 205/50/16 but you can use R-comps if you want to spend the money. I guess it depends if you are SCCA or a local club for the R-comps. If you move up to STX with some suspension mods I would go with the Dirrezza's.

 

If you want some tires that are made for the track check out the Dunlop Z1 Star Specs. I ran them on my E46 BMW and loved them. Great sidewall support and SUPER sticky sticky. One of the greatest street legal track wheels along with the Bridgestone RE01R, Nitto NT05 and Toyo R1Rs.

 

did you want suggestions on "R" compound setups, or on street tire setups?

 

i'm leaning more towards the "R" compound tires. and trying to keep it reasonably cheap if at all possible.

 

Then you are looking at Toyo R888's (gg compound) or the Nitto NT-01s.

I run the R888's and they aren't as sticky as a Hoosier, but they are alot cheaper and wear much longer.

 

my 2 cents:

1. seat time (you knew that, I know - but it is #1)
2. get some negative camber on the front end (at least -1, I run -2.2)
3. agree on the Direzza, but
4. if you have the camber in place and really want the stickies, try Hoosiers
5. STX is fun -- I've been there for the last few years

cheers,

charlie

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....r&tireModel=A6

 

205/50-16 Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs.
But 205/45-16 would be an interesting tire in Toyo R1R or Bridgestone RE-11.

 

I'm about to switch from my street tires to a set of Hoosiers, but I'm not sure what size I should be looking at...

I have 16" rims...what size Hoosier's go on that? The tire guide on tire rack doesn't think Hoosier's go on a mini cooper

Thanks!

 

16x6.5" stock sized rim:

R-tires:
205/45-16 Hoosier A6

"Street" tires:
205/45-16 Toyo R1R *1
205/50-16 Toyo R1R
205/50-16 Dunlop Z1 Star Spec
215/45-16 Kuhmo Ecsta XS *2
215/45-16 Falken Azenis ST RT-615 *2
225/50-16 Hankook R-S3
225/50-16 Toyo R1R


*note 1: The 205/45 Toyo has a load rating of 83. Mini fits only 84 and above. An installer may balk at installing these on your car.

*note 2: Neither of these tires are approved by the manufacturer on wheels with less than 7" width. People use them to no ill effect on 6.5" rims but, again, some installers will refuse to mount them.

No one asked about wets but if we keep having wet springs here on the left coast I'm thinking 195/55-15 Michelin Pilot Exaltos PE2s for streets or 205/50-15 Kumho Ecsta W710's for R's.

 

I am thinking of running a set of 205/50/15 Falken Azenis RT-615 tires on my OEM 15 X 5.5 rims. I think the tire will fit well, plus give me a good width and size to really tear up the track and the mountain!

 

No problems with size or ratings. Have you heard how good the new compound is? I haven't.

 

205/45/16 works well - Your tirerack rep is allways available to anwser your questions assist you with your purchases.

Alex

 

Do you mind me asking your name, or what color/# you run? I'm from the Cincinnati SCCA, and run down with the CKR guys on occassion. If you end up wanting street tires, talk to Scott at Ken Towery's west of downtown. He's a big SCCA guy and will hook you up (sorry Alex!). If you want hoosiers, either go with Tire Rack, or make your way up to Cincy and get them from Dave Kutney. He's another tire dealer/SCCA racer that takes care of club members very well.

FWIW, Hoosiers are absolutely amazing on our cars. They won't last nearly as long as even Khumo V710s, but they are grippy as hell. If you want a good trade off, talk to scott and get some V710s. Tell him the Stig sent you. He'll chuckle laugh at me, then hook you up

 

I have heard that they grip better without the initial wear in period required for the old tires. Aside from that, I haven't heard much !

 

Ok, thanks.

 

RE: Falken Azenis RT-615 K series
New Grassroots Motorsports rated them pretty much the same, near the back of the pack.