Took a new set of Kumho V700 Ecsta's to the BMWCCA Driver's School in Pueblo, CO this weekend. After four 20-minute sessions and about 100 miles the front tires are about gone. Some of the inverse cupping I've seen on these tires before but mostly they are just pretty evenly worn down.

The good news was that they stuck well and I was passing higher HP BMW's all day, and never got passed by anyone else. It's great passing M3's but, I can't afford to replace the tires everytime I go to the track. Now I'm thinking of getting a set of yhe Victorracers or maybe the new softer AO32R for my next set. Any thoughts?

BTW, these tires were shaved, but not heat cycled. The last set I went through on my Audi were heat cycled but not shaved.

 

Mark,

It was a great day and I can vouch for your passing ability

I managed to finish off my factory run flats on the S-Lites, so new rubber and wheels are coming sometime soon. I did manage to flat spot mine in the process as well, seems doing a few unintentional 360's down the track can have a negative impact on your tires. It's amazing how slippery antifreeze can be!

But it was an awesome (cold) day!

Cheers

Geoff

 

I think the V700s have a very large tread blocks, did you end up with just heel and toe wear from driving them so hard?

Do you have pictures of how they wore down?

 

The V700 is popular among autox circles with its soft compound and affordability. 100 miles of speed racing would cut the life of any tire, and quite destroy any soft compound tire. Tires are about the most expesive drain in the grassroots level racing.

I have two sugestions....
1) have a trackday set and a seperate everyday set of wheels/tires
2) play with different compound/manufacturers/pattern tires to find that which best suits your expectations.

Either way... track days will kill any tire.

 

I do keep multiple sets of tires/wheels.

I was wondering last night if I would have any better luck with a pure race tire, like a Goodyear slick, especially if I got a harder compound.

THE MCS is a relatively light car, I was hoping to find something with a little longer life, or is this the price I'll pay for passing those pesky M3's?

Other tires to consider:
A032R's, soft compound,
Hoosier's road compound?

Geoff,

It was great fun being out on the track with you. Somehow it seemed better having another MINI in the area! Do you know what you are going to do for tires?

 

Have you considered Falken Azenis? They do not have the same type of grip as R's, but they are pretty close and they have a significantly better wear rating. Azenis are a popular choice for auto-x'ers who run in steet tire classes. Another one would be the Kuhmo MX's.

 

. After four 20-minute sessions and about 100 miles the front tires are about gone. Some of the inverse cupping I've seen on these tires before but mostly they are just pretty evenly worn down.
>>
Did you shave these? Kumho says they will chunk, and blister (inverse of cupping)
if used in dry - Shave to 4/32nds

Alex

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jmciver: I have MX's as my daily rims, they lasted ~ 4,000 miles including several track days and multiple autocrosses. The Falkens may be better as an autocros tire but I think the MX's handle the heat better (I have a set of sticker Falken's in the garage that came with the wheels).

Alex: The tires were shaved to 6/32's. I'll try and post a pic. Do you think 100 miles in four 20 minute sessions is the life of these tires? The other factor was that the temps were probably running 40-60 degrees, I assume they would wear faster on a hot day. I'll admit to probably being more aggressive and thus harder on tires than the average driver.

 

I would love to hear what tread temps you had, and any pics you can proive would be most helpful.

Alex