I'm going to be picking up Polly sometime over the next week and am almost definitely going to replace the run-flats right away for the ride quality. I'm trying to decide what to do with the run-flats though - either sell them or use them for autocrossing.

For the record I am quite the rookie for autocrossing so this is not likely a competitive issue, but rather just a practical usage question. Any thoughts?

 

I've only done three autocross events so far, but I'm driving on 17" Webspokes and runflats. They're definitely not optimal, but considering my skill level, they're not the limiting factor in my performance either.

If you've already decided to take the runflats off the car, I'd just sell them and use the money to buy a set of autocross tires.


Scott

 

*never posted to the wheel and tire section before*
BUT, I've done 3 autocrosses as well with 17" S-lites and runflats. I've been told by several parties that my times would be MUCH better if I had better tires. I'm planning on getting 16" somethings with non runflats ASAP.

I mean you can autocross with them of course, but you'll do better without.

 

The runflats are not a good choice for autocross they are to heavvvyyy. You need light tires, light wheels and mooorrree power.

 

Looks like you and I are in the same situation (newbies autocrossing on 17-inch wheels and runflats).

My times are steadily decreasing as I work on my technique, so I'm not going to worry about changing out the tires until I hit a plateau and stop improving. Then, I can get lighter rims and better tires and instantly shave two or three seconds off my times! (Or at least, that's what I'm telling myself - reality may vary )

Scott

 

Actually, they aren't THAT heavy anymore, the Dunlop SP sport 9000's in non-RF are 20 lbs, in The SP Sport 9000 DSST (RF)'s are 21 lbs. . .

everyone always bags on RF's, they are excellent tires IMO, they'll never have the grip of the Falken 615's or Hankook RS2's, but they are good performance STREET tires.

 

I think this is the right approach Many people struggle for a long time, blaming their car or whatever for their slow times, myself included. If you can't go fast on runflats, you're not going to go fast on Hoosiers (you'd be faster than the runflats of course, but you know what I mean).

I've been autocrossing a while (I think 7 years - which actually isn't so long, in Minnesota I knew a guy who had been autocrossing since the 60's ), and my "skills" have definately improved in fits and starts. Lots of plateaus separated by little moments of insight.

I think it's good to use up the runflats while you learn. Most rookies are wickedly hard on tires - running way too hot into the corners, and cranking the wheel and inducing massive tires squeeling understeer, etc. Might as well use up some tires you don't want while you're getting those shenanigins out of your system

 

The runflats are perfect for learning on because of the progressive way they slide. No they aren't particularly fast but then you don't need fast to learn on.

Heavy wheels are harder to lock up but once they do are slower to get rolling again, so the ABS would seem far less intrusive with lightweight ones. However this really lets you know when you are doing something wrong and rewards smooth driving, which also makes them fine to learn on.

 

Thanks everybody - decision made! Keep 'em and use 'em up.