Need opinions from EXPERIENCED USERS on 15 vs. 16 in. R compound tires, size and brand, for track events.

 

What's the actual question?

IMO, there's no reason to run 16's unless you already have the wheels.

 

I totally agree. With both of Jeff's sentences

From experience, for non-competitive driving events, I think a Kumho V700 Victoracer is a great choice, in 205-50-15. I have never used the Toyo RA1, but I've heard it's more durable and not a whole lot slower than the Kumho, for what that's worth.

 

I will probably buy 15x7 wheels. Will 225x50x15 tires rub inside the wheel well with stock suspension?

 

I'm running 225/50R15 Michelin Pilot Sport Cups... 15 x 6.5 wheel with a +42 ET. No rubbing for me... Just be careful with the offset, otherwise, you'll be fine.

The difference in stick between 205's and 225's is quite a bit...

 

scobib, do you think a +40 offset would rub the fender? Since your running +42 and not rubbing the strut or fender, all I'd have to worry about with +40 is the fender lining.

 

Do you think 15x6.5 +38 with 225/50R15 would rub???

 

I ran 16x7s with a 40 offset with no rubbing if that helps

 

Nope... I doubt it... My autocross bud runs +40 with no worries...

I don't think +38 would be an issue, either...

 

How tall are those tires???

 

23.9" O.D. according to the manufacturer's specs... They are bigger donuts than stock, for sure! Originally, I was a bit worried about the bigger diameter - until I ran on them...

They look cool when on, though. And, they just stick like glue on our autocross lot's VERY rough surface. I full expect to get 9 events out of them, 8 runs per event. Besides the Toyo RA-1's, the PSC's are the ONLY R-compound that provide that kind of life on our surface... HooHoo's go about 3-4 events, as do V710's. They aren't as fast as the HooHoo's or V710's, BUT they're fast enough to beat the BMW's AND a better overall bang-for-the-considerable-buck.

 

So it sounds like 15x7 wheels, +40ET offset, would accept 225/50/15 without rubbing? Those are some pretty meaty sneakers. I'm thinking Konig Rewind wheels, in particular.

 

Yes, they're meaty!

 

Thats what I've been thinking as well

 

Be sure to let us know how you make out! ;-)

 

I am on Kosei K-1 15x7 lightweight rims /w 225/50 Victoracers. No rubbing issues. Tires handle awesome- but wear is not good. I've done 3 track days at Mosport - they might go one more. I am switching to Toyo and give them a try this season.

 

You realize this is all relative -- 3-4 full days on a single set of performance rubber would be outstanding for guys used to running proper slicks. I've been through two sets of Hoosier slicks in a single day (4 sessions) in order to get maximum performance. And that was on a 1800lb Miata.

There's no holy grail, yet. The stickier the rubber, the shorter the lifespan. RA1s are great because they're a lot stickier than street tires but don't confuse them with race rubber. The other helpful thing about them is they don't harden & dry out with repeated heat cycles, unlike Hoosiers etc. The Spec Miata guys used to say that RA1s were best right before you corded them -- least tread squirm, no tread blocks really left, lowest weight, and still good and sticky.

A good driver will preserve his tires regardless of how sticky they are but the decision usually comes down to how competitive you want to be, rather than whether or not you've actually killed the tire. Unless your VictoRacers are corded, blistered, etc, I'd keep using them until they're truly dead.

twj

 

Very good point about wear being relative. When I did race I would go thru a set of slicks every race and get maybe a practice session with them next time out. I think most of us who are doing mostly track days can certainly get better wear with a little tire management and bring the car in within a reasonable number of laps to let the rubber cool down. With these types of tires it's all about number & the length of heat cycles that determine not just wear- but the performance over the life of the tire. Yes, the V700's are good to the last drop- but I have never ran the Toyo's- just thought I would give them a try.