Tire question to the A/X people - I’m slipping away, what’s your favorite tire for handling/grip on AX?? and any other set up advice Options

[DRPHIL914]

After having a bit of fun at my first local PCA AX here in Atlanta,
I realize that I definitely need better tires than my Firestone Firehawk Indy 500. I was only 2 seconds behind a very nice 1976 911 and a 1979/80 SC 911, but cold have done better with better tires and a bit more camber and toe adjustment i think.

—
i’m looking for advice on tires and my track adjustment . i’m running 205/55-16 6” up front and 7” in rear, stock sway bar rear and front with Tarett front drop links.
motor i think ran well, 3 year old 2056 build with stock he and Ben’s muffler.


Thanks for the help.

Phil

[TonyVan]

One of the top rated AX tires are on sale on TireRack. The Bridgstone RE 71RS. These are 2021 production dates but for the price, they're a steal: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...romCompare1=yes
Tony

[emerygt350]

I autocrossed on firehawks for years and recently put some general gmax on there. The Firehawk is a terrible terrible tire. You would do better with nearly anything else. At your level (assumption) technique is really going to pay off more than super tires. Take a look at the tire rack testing and you will see less expensive and longer lasting tires with only a slightly worse time than the very highest ranked tire. If you drive the car and don't want to be swapping tires on race day, find some that have a little better tread wear rating than the true autocross tires. Those super soft tires are also susceptible to freezing temperatures. I think high 200 low 300 is ok for dual use.

[JamesM]

After having a bit of fun at my first local PCA AX here in Atlanta,
I realize that I definitely need better tires than my Firestone Firehawk Indy 500. I was only 2 seconds behind a very nice 1976 911 and a 1979/80 SC 911, but cold have done better with better tires and a bit more camber and toe adjustment i think.

—
i’m looking for advice on tires and my track adjustment . i’m running 205/55-16 6” up front and 7” in rear, stock sway bar rear and front with Tarett front drop links.
motor i think ran well, 3 year old 2056 build with stock he and Ben’s muffler.


Thanks for the help.

Phil

"Street" tire classes Bridgestone RE-71RS or BFG Rival S 1.5 tend to be the two fastest. BFG only has a single size in 16" though 215/45/16 with you may not be able to get to work on a narrow body car without perfect wheel fitment. The Re71-RS tends to edge out the Rival in some tests but the rivals are super easy to drive and dont require as much precision to get the most out of them and dont seem to need a ton of camber. They are a ton of fun. Either one will blow your mind if you have never driven modern autocross "Street" tires though and depending on what you are running now may alone be worth 2 seconds.

Hoosier A7s if you want to go all out and are not limited by class rules.

If you want to maximize grip go to a 7" wheel up front too. 7" is perfect for a 205.

You didnt mention what rear springs you have but depending on what your car is doing you may want to try running with the rear swaybar disconnected. Helps keep the rear planted especally if you have stiffer than stock rear springs.

Probably don't want to go messing with toe quite yet if its your first autocross. Seat time and some good tires and you should be walking all over any air cooled 911.

[mate914]

Yokohama ADVAN A0-52.
Matt

After having a bit of fun at my first local PCA AX here in Atlanta,
I realize that I definitely need better tires than my Firestone Firehawk Indy 500. I was only 2 seconds behind a very nice 1976 911 and a 1979/80 SC 911, but cold have done better with better tires and a bit more camber and toe adjustment i think.

—
i’m looking for advice on tires and my track adjustment . i’m running 205/55-16 6” up front and 7” in rear, stock sway bar rear and front with Tarett front drop links.
motor i think ran well, 3 year old 2056 build with stock he and Ben’s muffler.


Thanks for the help.

Phil

[mlindner]

Dr. Phil, I would get the tires of your choice and then work with that for the season. There's nothing like seat time to better understand your driving and the cars handling. I'm 77 and have been auto-crossing for 50 years and stillll love it. Best, Mark

[DRPHIL914]

great info thanks guys.

Matt, i am running bilistein sport shocks in the rear, with 100# springs.
every run was an improvement, so i was learning and getting better with my lines and when and how hard to brake etc. but i have to work on my hand position and movement.
i had Bridgestone Potenza Rae11’s a few years ago and did one weekend wirh them and tired motor but the handling was much better. those were very sticky, i think 90-100 hardness rating. i ran the whole course in second gear. I think I will definitely work on getting the tires. the rear sway bar is connected c i do have 7”s back there , the balance seems pretty good, i’m not loosing the rear more than the front over all, maybe once or twice slightly but i just hit the gas did a bit of counter steer and drifted just a bit and peered thrum the corner and came on quick, it was my fastest lap. It’s a lot of fun to watch those other drivers and see their lines and how they manage their cars. looking forward to our may run. i hope to get those tires picked out by then. also, i she a extra pIr of 6” rims im going to get a mother pair and probably put the new tires on them and keep the fire hawks for street use only.

I’ll let you know how it goes. also happy with the quickness of my motor compared the the original tires one, but i would l w to have as quit and high reving motor as some of this other cars, at least 140-175hp i can tell would be a hoot!!

[DRPHIL914]

Dr. Phil, I would get the tires of your choice and then work with that for the season. There's nothing like seat time to better understand your driving and the cars handling. I'm 77 and have been auto-crossing for 50 years and stillll love it. Best, Mark

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) what your telling me is i have a lot of fun years left even though im a late starter?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[mate914]

I have ran both the Bridgestone Potenza 11's and the sr71's. I like the Ao-52's over the Potenza. You having lower Hp. Get the a lightest weight tire.
Matt

great info thanks guys.

Matt, i am running bilistein sport shocks in the rear, with 100# springs.
every run was an improvement, so i was learning and getting better with my lines and when and how hard to brake etc. but i have to work on my hand position and movement.
i had Bridgestone Potenza Rae11’s a few years ago and did one weekend wirh them and tired motor but the handling was much better. those were very sticky, i think 90-100 hardness rating. i ran the whole course in second gear. I think I will definitely work on getting the tires. the rear sway bar is connected c i do have 7”s back there , the balance seems pretty good, i’m not loosing the rear more than the front over all, maybe once or twice slightly but i just hit the gas did a bit of counter steer and drifted just a bit and peered thrum the corner and came on quick, it was my fastest lap. It’s a lot of fun to watch those other drivers and see their lines and how they manage their cars. looking forward to our may run. i hope to get those tires picked out by then. also, i she a extra pIr of 6” rims im going to get a mother pair and probably put the new tires on them and keep the fire hawks for street use only.

I’ll let you know how it goes. also happy with the quickness of my motor compared the the original tires one, but i would l w to have as quit and high reving motor as some of this other cars, at least 140-175hp i can tell would be a hoot!!