Comments on S Specs.

[Tony]

Isn't that always the way Stan? Manufacturers get a product absolutely perfect and then they go and "improve" it!

Perhaps the RT615K that broady refers to above will be a return to tyre of old; or perhaps yet another improvement.

On paper the R1R should be one of the best of the "S-Specs", but surprisingly very few people seem to use them; well, if they do we don't get to hear about their experiences.

WRT soft sidewalls, I was reading up about the AD08's and the blurb said that some sizes have steel sidewall inserts to improve casing rigidity. Don't know if that applies to "our" sizes though.

[StanTheMan]

I guess the RT215 had a cult following. All the WRX drivers raved about them as well. So Falken just said. How can we change it to make it better. It Is a quicker tyre. It also lasted longer than the RT215. From what I can tell The R1R is about he same as the RT615. which overall isn't a bad thing. But thats comparison without having really given the R1R a fair go.

The other thing which then needs to be considered is .....if a manufacturer does produce a road tyre like the RT215 and it needs warming up. In todays world with so many Idiots trying to blame others for their own stupidity someone jumps their car. takes the first corner too quick & wraps themselves around a tree. I'd say that has a lot to do with what happened with the RT215.
The RT215 also had a reputation for aquaplaning in the wet. again I never had a problem in the wet. But in big puddles...watch out. Falken did improve on that as well.

So I guess they realised the market for the S specs was getting bigger. So they had to adjust the tyre to make it more mainstream. And possibly a little more user friendly.

[Tony]

The current issue (#8) of Tarmac Magazine has a brief spiel on what they refer to as "S/R-spec" (street & race) tyres; aka. S-spec tyres.

There's not much in the way of technical detail, it's mostly promotional spin from the manufacturers, and unfortunately there's no direct track comparison either.

Tyres "reviewed" include Bridgestone RE-11 (to be released in late 2010 in Aus), Dunlop Z1 Star Spec, the new Hankook R-S3, Kumho KU36 and Yokohama AD08.

Curiously the Falken RT615 was not mentioned; it was also interesting to note that the R-S3 will apparently be available in 225/45R15.

The R-S3's were also the subject of a separate article, but was more like an infomercial. I know the R-S2's were highly regarded in many circles (particularly the 911 crowd in the US), so it will be interesting to see what feedback the R-S3's get.

While it may not be worth your while buying the magazine for these articles alone, it may pay to have a quick browse when you're next in the newsagency.

Regards...

[ph]

On paper the R1R should be one of the best of the "S-Specs", but surprisingly very few people seem to use them; well, if they do we don't get to hear about their experiences..

Very good to see this thread.
In my stock NB, I've been on Toyo R1Rs for one year, done 15,000 kms day to day driving, mostly freeway, and about nine autokhana days, three sprint events, and twice at Barbagallo tuning days doing about 200 kms. They have done their time now, but they've been very good. Completely bald on the edges. Have now just lost the previous excellent grip.
Next set will be Advan AD07s.

[broady]

Next set will be Advan AD07s.

*cough*

http://www.yokohamatire.com/tires/advan_ad08.aspx

[Tony]

For those playing at home in the future, follow this link to a thread which is discussing "Non R Spec tyres for track days": http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=43198.

I also found this site while browsing the inter web, not much detail but OK for a relatively large picture of the various tyres (double click on the thumbnail image); it includes UTQG ratings: http://www.modified.com/tech/modp-1006-tire-buyers-guide/index.html

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Following up from our last Club track day at Wakefield Park, I thought I should post a couple of quick comments regarding the performance of the Federal 595RS-R's in the wet.

While the track wasn't wringing wet all over, early in the day it did have "rivers" of water running across the track at not so brilliant locations (eg. across the apex of turn 2 and turn 10). The herringbone tread pattern seemed to pump plenty of water out and gave more confidence that I would have expected. The tread does however have relatively large chunks flat rubber with no siping, so they will still aquaplane in standing water. http://www.modified.com/tech/modp-1006-tire-buyers-guide/photo_15.html

Driving down to Goulburn the rain was fairly p!ssing down and the road was as wet as you would get anywhere. Once again the tyres performed better than I had expected, but I wasn't searching for the limits of adhesion on the corners either. I did try a few "brake tests" at relatively slow speeds on some straight sections and was surprised that the tyres actually started to squeal as the wheels locked up.

In summary, I was very happy with their wet weather performance both on and off the track; none-the-less you still needed to keep in mind their limitations.

Regards to all...

[Guran]

Bump ...

Mods - could you please move this thread to the wheels & tyres forum?

[Guran]

My current set of Adrenalins copped a pummelling at Phillip Island, so I'll need to replace at least a couple of them to pass rego next month. With that in mind, I asked Mike Hicks for a ruling on eligibility of Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Specs in the NSW club trackday standard classes. He has ruled that Star Specs are not permitted because 1) they're promoted as being for motorsport use, and 2) they can only be purchased in Australia from motorsport tyre specialists. In other words, they are considered to be a performance enhancing modification that is not within the "spirit" of a factory-fitted tyre. Anyone in a standard NA or NB who is running Star Specs will go into Class 4 "Standard Road Registered NA and NB but running on R Spec Tyres".

Personally, I'm cool with this ruling and relieved to have some clarity. It means I can keep on using RE001 Adrenalins and put the money I save towards R-specs for the State Supersprints.

Victorians who're thinking of competing in standard classes for the next Interstate Challenge at Wakefield Park later this year might want to keep this in mind.

[bensale]

Interesting that NSW has gone that way... As a matter of interest are Kumho KU36 and Toyo R1R's classed in the same way? I guess it makes racing more cost effective in that class which is a be a good thing... It is a pity you can't run the Dunlop Z1's though as they are a great tyre, I love mine!

[Guran]

Glenn Thomas is using KU36s on his standard NB (Class 2), and Mike has OK'd them. These are available from any Kumho dealer which is a tick in their favour. On the other hand, the Kumho website says they're "designed for SCCA racing". So it's a greyish area. In any case, there's already a precedent for them being used in standard class. My problem is that KU36s aren't available in 14" and I'm not allowed to use 15" wheels in standard NA (Class 1).

I'm not aware of anyone using R1Rs up here, but I'd expect they would fall into the same category as DZZ1: not permitted in standard classes. Similarly I know that others who've shown up with Falken Azenis RT215 or RT615 have been bumped into modified class.

Agree that DZZ1 are a great tyre, and I would definitely be using them if they were permitted in my class.

[KRM]

The Kumho flyer, from the car show, puts the KU36 in with their ultra high performance tyres of which there are 8.

The info, in the flyer, on the KU36 is:-

Dry performance 5 star plus.
Asymmetric tread design with mid noise and silica base compound.
Extreme dry grip and handling performance with latest street racing technology.

Also in the car mags they are advertised as a tyre for high performance cars.

[Guran]

What are the other 7, Keith? Surely KU31 must be one of them but I'm struggling to think what the others could be.

[KRM]

Bryan it is an interesting list with some good looking tyres.
KU19, KU21, KU23, KU27, KU31, KU36, KU38 and KU39.
The only KU not in the list is KU33

[deviant]

Bryan it is an interesting list with some good looking tyres.
KU19, KU21, KU23, KU27, KU31, KU36, KU38 and KU39.
The only KU not in the list is KU33

The KU33 is a tyre aimed at the luxury barge sector of the market.....and they release a Lavender scent as you drive!!

I have used the lower end KU tyres in the past and really did not find them to be anything to write home about. The prices are good though.

[Guran]

Here are the details on the plethora of Kumho KU tyres, extracted from the Kumho USA website. KU19, KU23, KU33 and KU38 are not on the USA website. Out of all these, I'd say the KU36 and KU15 are the only ones that could be considered to be "S Specs". KU15 is not available in Australia yet. KU39 is an attractive tyre and I'll be pricing it against KU31 very soon when I replace the tyres on my 135i. Unfortunately, it looks like KU39 only comes in 16" or larger. Personally, I wouldn't bother with any of the others. They are advertised for their long life (60,000 mile warranty on KU27 in USA!), which inevitably suggests they'll be hard and lacking grip.

Ecsta XS KU36
Extreme Performance
UTQG 180 AA A
Dry 10, Wet 7, Noise 6, Wear 5, Comfort 6, Snow 0


Ecsta MX KU15
Ultra High Performance
UTQG 220 AA A
Dry 9 Wet 7 Noise 7 Wear 5 Comfort 6 Snow 0


Ecsta LE Sport KU39
Ultra High Performance
UTQG 280 AA A
Dry 9 Wet 10 Noise 9 Wear 5 Comfort 6 Snow 0


Ecsta SPT KU31
Ultra High Performance
UTQG 320 AA A
Dry 8 Wet 9 Noise 8 Wear 7 Comfort 7 Snow 0


Ecsta ASX KU21
Ultra High Performance All Season
UTQG 420 AA A
Dry 8 Wet 8 Noise 9 Wear 7 Comfort 8 Snow 6


Ecsta LX Platinum KU27
Ultra High Performance
UTQG 600 A A
Dry 8 Wet 8 Noise 10 Wear 8 Comfort 9 Snow 7


Ecsta AST KU25
High Performance
UTQG 400 A A
Dry 7 Wet 7 Noise 7 Wear 7 Comfort 7 Snow 7