I've got 16"x7.5" Kosei K1 wheels with a +43 offset, JCW suspension (minimal drop), front camber at -2.0° with Helix camber plates, and rear camber stock-ish...

I'm looking for my next set of tires for HPDE (and possibly autocross, but HPDE is more important, and I could use my other set of wheels / tires for autocross if I needed to save the HPDE tires from autocross heat cycles). These tires will never see snow / cold. If it's really wet, I'll use my daily driver tires for HPDE in the puddles. I've got around 20 days so far on various tracks.

I've been using Hankook RS2 z-212 tires in 215/45R16 for the last year or so. They're cheap, they seem to be lasting a long time, the grip pretty well, and they are consistent.

So, why would I be looking for something else? Especially since I'm still not driving those tires to their limits.

But, the R-compound thought keeps running through my head. What choices are there that would fit the wheels I have now? Toyo RA-1 seems like the sweet spot between performance / price / longevity. I'm just not sure that any of the 16" sizes would work well / fit . I see 205/55R16, 225/50R16, and 245/45R16. They all seem taller than I want, the 245 is probably too wide, and the 225 might be also.

People are all excited about the Bridgestone RE01R (who knows where the dash goes in that name). It might not be an R-compound, but it is still in the hunt. 205/45R16 - low load rating and higher price than the other sizes. 205/55R16 and 225/50R16 - like the RA1, taller than I'd like, and the 225 might be too wide.

What else is there that more on the value end of the R-compound list that will fit my wheels? I don't need top tier performance. Spacers might be an option if needed, but I'd rather not.

Or, should I save the bucks and just go through another set of 'Kooks?

Why didn't I get 15" track wheels?

 

For 16x7.5" rims for track/Lapping or Driving events (school)
205/40-16 7-8" rim width, 7.2" tread width, 22.5" tire diam. 83 load rating (Falken ST-615)
205/45-16 6-8" rim width, 8" tread width, 22.8" tire diam.
205/50-16 6-6.5" rim width, 8" tread width, 23.3" tire diam.
205/55-16 5.5-7.5" rim width, 8.2" tread width, 24.9-25" tire diam.
215/40-16 7-8.5" rim width, 8.6" tread width, 22.6" tire diam.
215/45-16 7-8" rim width, 8" tread width, 23.6" tire diam.
225/40-16
225/45-16 7-8.5" rim width, 8.8" tread width, 23.8" tire diam.
225/50-16 6-8" rim width, 8.7-9" tread width, 24.9- 25.1" tire diam.
245/45-16 7.5-9" rim width, 9.6" tread width?, 24.9" tire diam. (Wide!)

Bridgestone RE01R (extreme summer tire)
205/45-16 $152 19 lbs. 7.5" tread width, 22.8" tire diam (83 load rated)
205/55-16 $124 26 lbs. 7.6" tread width, 24.9" tire diam
225/50-16 $133 27 lbs. 8.3" tread width, 24.9" tire diam

Yokohama Advan A048 (Competition tire)
205/55-16 $197, Med Hard cmpd, 23 lbs. 24.9" tire diam.(taller than stock)
225/45-16 $201, Med Hard cmpd, 21 lbs. 23.8" tire diam. (less than stock)
225/50-16 $210, Med Hard cmpd, 24 lbs. 24.9" tire diam.(taller than stock)

Avon Tech R-A $129 each Closeout! (Competition tire)
225/50-16 24 lbs. 8.7" tread width, 25.1" tire diam.(taller than stock)

Michelin Pilot Sport cup (Competition tire)
205/55-16 $208 20 lbs
225/50-16 $206 21 lbs
245/45-16 $224 22 lbs.

BF Goodrich g-Force R1 (Competition tire)
205/55-16 $191 20 lbs. 8.4" section width 24.5" tire diam.
225/50-16 $199 21 lbs. 9.1" section width, 24.5" tire diam.
245/45-16 $211 22 lbs. 9.6" section width, 24.7" tire diam.
Tire test vs Hoosier R6
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...m%3D055WR6GFR1

Hoosier A6/R6
Both in
205/45-16 $206 19 lbs. 8" section width, 22.8" tire diam
225/50-16 $206 22 lbs. 8.8" section width, 24.6" tire diam
245/45-16 $219 22 lbs. 9.2" section width, 24.4" tire diam

Kumho V710 (Competition tire)
215/40-16 $175 19 lbs. 8.6" section width, 22.6" tire diam
225/50-16 $209 24 lbs. 9.1" section width, 24.7" tire diam

Kumho V700 Victoracers (competition tire)
225/50-16 $171 25 lbs, 8.6" tread width 24.6" tire diam
245/45-16 $178 25 lbs, 9.1" tread width 24.3" tire diam

Kumho Ecsta MX (extreme summer tire)
205/55-16 $89 21 lbs. 25.1" tire diam.
225/50-16 $94 23 lbs. 25.1" tire diam.

Toyo Ra1 (Competition tire)
205/55-16 23 lbs 8.4" section width 24.8" tire diam
225/50-16 23 lbs. 9.2" section width 24.9" tire diam
245/45-16 25 lbs. 9.4" section width 24.7" tire diam

 

I'm running 225/50R16s on 16 x 7s with a 42mm offset & JCW suspension. I had to trim a little off the lip off my rear fender flares because they would rub ever so slightly going over rail road tracks.

I ran 5mm spacers for a week- They caused the rear to rub a lot, so I would say it's a tight fit!

 

Avon Tech RA's Tire Rack has them on sale.

 

They aren't cheap, but the Yokohama A048 is a significant improvement from the Hankooks or Azenis, and can still be driven on the street or in the rain if need be. 225/45-16 would be a good size for your wheels.

For ultimate performance, there are stickier tires out there but then they'll probably not last as long nor be streetable if needed.

Scott
90SM

 

Yokohama A048 are about $100.00 ea more than the Avons at Tire Rack

 

Correct. I've used them both and I said that they're not cheap. The difference is that the A048 can be driven to the event and the Avon can't, or at least shouldn't. The Yok also works well in the wet.

It's all a matter of what you are looking for. For a track only or autocross only tire (no street), the Avon is a bargain with the current discount pricing. I'm on my second set of them, though in 225/45-15. The price used to be much closer to the Yokohama.

Scott
90SM