Hey guys... I just got my 205/50/15 Kumho 710 tires from Tire Rack yesterday... going on a stock set of 7 hole MINI wheels... Last year I ran 205/45/16 V700 tires...

I have not had a chance to weigh the tire but I will try to do so before I mount them.... and the wheels too... Tread width wise the new 710 seems to be at least an inch wider than the 700s from last year (despite the listed size) that means the 15 " Kumho setup should put as much rubber on the pavement as a Hoosier 215/45 or is it 40 /16.... The weekend of March 13th is the first Atlanta Region event on sunday and a Novice School Saturday... I will be getting pressures in the right ballpark during the lunch break at the school and then running Sunday... so I will post a review after that weekend (and yes I do have plenty of seat time on Hoosiers).... Stay tuned!!!

 

Are you aware that the new Hoosiers are wider than last years as well? Check the data at http://www.midAtlanticmotorsport.com

_________________
2001 & 2002 SCCA, STS, Pro Solo National Champion,

2003 STX, Solo 2 Nationals, Me 8th, codriver 2nd

 

Yeah I have heard about that.... I have always loved Hoosiers!!!!! but I also love to save money so I am giving the 710s a chance before I go with the new S04s... I should be running against Mark and Jeff (team overdog) at the first SEDIV event (mid April) so that will be my chance to see how much time I pick up against the big guns.... the 710 sure looks fast!!! but the S04 does too. Like the old Wendys ads... wheres the tread?????

 

Yes,...please keep us updated!
I also have the 15" holeys but still undecided on what tread to use.
Our Hawaii SCCA 2004 season starts next month and plan on campaigning the "holeys" with 205/50/15.
Last season I ran the 16" R83 on run-flats....not great on adhesion but precise on turn-in

 

Well here are some specs inc. exact weight... (taken off a computer controlled postal scale... to the half ounce)..

15" holes with valve stem but no center cap...= 12 pounds 2.5 Ounces

205/50/15 Kumho 710 brand new not heat cycled = 18 pounds 4.5 Ounces (spec is 18)

Measured tread width is approx... =8 and 13/16ths inches (spec is not given)

Measured Diameter is approx...= 22 and 3/4 inches... (spec is 22.9)

Both Measured un mounted....

So there ya go... if anyone has a 205/50/15 Hoosier AS04 I am curious to the exact weight of that tire....



_________________
Jason

03 MC Black/White
#13 H-Stock.. Atlanta Region SCCA

 

A quick update... the tires are mounted. but it did take 4 guys and a hammer to get the tires onto the wheels...and I have a very very very good tire shop I go to.... sooo if you go with this setup your tire guy might hate you!!

 

I'll second that, I watched them mount the last of mine... not doing that again

 

What I can tell you is that my 225/45R15 Hoosier A3S03's weighed 16lbs three years ago. The weight change is VERY minimal in smaller sizes (according to Jeff Spear) and shouldn't be more than .5-1.0lbs in the 225's and lower. That said, a 205/50R15 couldn't weigh more than 17lbs max in a 205/50R15, I'd guess around 16.
Of course, a solid answer instead of my guess would be more important

Brian

 

I went out last week to heat cycle the tires (I hate to pay for something I can do on my own) and while it is not a good test at all for the tires... my initial impression of how the tires feel on the road is positive....

good turn in and good resistence to rolling over (no real hard turns but I only had 30 psi in the tires)... This sat and sunday is the real test... lets all hope for sunshine and temps in the 60s or higher!!

SD tour results are out now too and the v710 fared quite well....

 

OK here it is... my impressions of the 710 on stock 15" 7 holes (toe set to 0 all arround.... stock shocks) EDIT: Air Temps were arround 70 Degrees....

Right out of the box the tires felt great.... traction at launch is incredible... I was launching at 5000 rpm with very little wheel spin... braking was equally impressive... after over 10 runs this weekend I am still not braking late enough!! Turn in is very good and overall grip is wonderfull..... I am still playing with pressures ... but a decent starting point for the fronts is mid 40s.... my rear pressures have been all over the map and I am not decided on what works best...

I tried as high as 55 and as low as 35.... both extremes worked in their own way..

In general the car was very neutral.... understeer was not a problem but I would not mind a bit more rotation..... Konis or some toe out in the back might be the ticket for that...

Wear so far looks good but it is wayyyyy to early to tell how long these tires will last.

After testing on saturday (and having a great time instructing at the Novice school that was all MINI!!!) I ran the PRO (indexed) class here in Atlanta.... I ended up in 7th out of 15 (coned my fast run) I am waiting for finnal results but I think Robert Carpenter was the winner...

So in summary I think the new 710 has what it takes to be on par with the Hoosier offerings.... is it faster???? perhaps but this is definatly a case where it will be too close to call one way or the other.

_________________
Jason

03 MC Black/White
#13 H-Stock.. Atlanta Region SCCA

 

Here are the Pro Class Results from Sunday in Atlanta... I put a * next to those I know were running the 710... and a ? next to those I think were on 710s the rest were Hoosiers or street tires....

*1t ROBERT CARPENTER CELICA 50.011 49.353 48.997 =
38.267
*2t TOM PULLIAM CAMARO 48.986 48.737 47.631 =
39.248
?3t ALEX MURESAN INTEGRA 50.835 50.230 49.915 =
39.633
4t ROB FALKNER MIATA 49.802 49.580 49.303 =
39.640
5t HEATH MCMILLAN 85 CRX 47.378 DNF 47.364+2 =
39.655
?6t PAUL BARROS CORVETT 49.727+2 47.712 47.253+1 =
39.887
* 7. JASON VEHIGE 52.151 51.541 51.095+1 (dam that cone) =
39.996
7. JOEL FEHRMAN 02 WRX 51.728 50.468 50.310 =
39.996
9. JOHN BROWN MR2 47.360+1 47.051 46.457 =
39.999
10. DAN MCMAHAN 53.265 50.936 50.549 =
41.096
11. BRETT HOWELL 92 CIVIC 50.553 50.719+1 50.402+2 =
41.100
*12. STEVE BRUECK CAMARO DNF 49.208+1 48.534+1 =
41.640
13. JINX JORDAN 50.094+1 49.767 50.306 =
41.655
14. BRIAN FLANIGAN WRXXX 51.011+1 51.258+2 50.637+3 =
42.144
15. GINETTE JORDAN 51.637 51.000+1 51.546 =
43.144
16. ANDREW JAMES WRX STI 55.557 53.072 52.887 =
43.738