Track Tires Options

[orcadigital]

I have been running Victoracers the last several seasons with good success. I recently changed pressures drastically (running 48 to 50 hot) with good success as well, and have now found out that Kumho has discontinued the 205/50-15 size.

So now i am stuck going to a new tire, and not sure where to go. I am on a budget, and Hoosiers are not in the realm of possibility. I have been told the wear on the Ecsta's are closer to Hoosier levels, and i really need something that will last.

The 2 options i have been pointed to are the Toyo Proxes, and the Avons. The Toyos i am told are about .5 a second slower then the victos, but longer life. I can live with that, as there is a lot more then half a second to be found in my driving skill. The Avons i have heard mixed info on, everything from the best thing since sliced bread, to not worth it at all.

With my current wheels (Julian Racing 15x6) i cant run a 225 without flares (not an option for my class), so i am stuck with a 205 size. Car weighs in at 2356, stock 2L, nothing too fancy. It is a dedicated track car. I do 3 to 4 autocrosses a year, 4 to 6 DE's (if we'd stop losing our tracks, would be more), and plan to do 3 club races this year. Hot temp performance and longevity are my major concerns, as well as something that can run well with the limited camber adjustment on a stock 914.

Any thoughts?

[brant]

grant,

which 3 Club races?

I'm guessing: miller, heartland, pueblo?
or is vegas in your plans?

also 1 other tire option that I think comes in a 205
(double check me on this...)

greg johnson is running the hoosier spec tire they make for spec miata's
its cheaper and a harder compound than the R6 style hoosiers.
lasts as long as the avons.
he also runs avons too, so give him and call for the side by side comparison.

plus pay alot more attention to peoples opinions that use tires on similar cars and similar weight of cars.

I built that 89 944 turboS car and played with tires on it.
It sucked on kumhos, but was great on the old yokohamas
I ran the exact same yoko's and kumhos on my black 914 and had the Opposite results.

so cars that weigh significantly more (like a 944 or a bmw) mean nothing when compaired to how a 914 will do with a particular tire.

see if you can pick up some kumho's since you can rotate them into your stock. I'll still sell you those 2 used ones I have for 20 bucks total if you want them as practice tires.

brant