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15" Tires for limited autocross use

PostPosted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 3:04 pm
by olds70supreme
Looking for tire recommendations for my Starfire wtih 15x6 and 15x8 front and back. I plan on 2-3 autocross events per year, with about 3000 daily driving miles included. Not looking for all out R compound tires. I am running into a wall trying to find a decent 225-XX-15 tire for my 15x8 rear wheels. I have a set of four HTR 200s (205-60-15) for the fronts, but they discontinued these tires awhile ago so no luck finding others. I am starting to wonder if I will have to get rid of the 15x8 wheels and go to 15x7, or even switch to 16" all around just to be able to buy decent quality, decently priced tires. Am I missing something here?

Re: 15" Tires for limited autocross use

PostPosted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 5:03 pm
by cosvega76
About 10 years ago I made the switch to 17s just for that reason. If you want tires just for autocross, there are many choices in 205/50-15 that fit Miatas. They are a bit smaller in diameter (23.1" vs. 23.9" for the 225/50s) hence the autocross-only use.

If you don't mind a little noise on the street, Toyo Proxes R888 is an excellent autocross tire (I used them on the Cosworth) and is available in both 205 and 225/50s. With a 100 treadwear rating, you probably won't get more than 12-15,000 miles out of them, but how much will you drive it a year? Be aware, though, they will throw stones at the body in gravel.


Chuck

Re: 15" Tires for limited autocross use

PostPosted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 5:24 pm
by ROB
I was just going to say the Toyo R888's also. About the only good choice for street/track that has a decent life span. Try 225/50r15 in the front, and you could even go 235/50r15 in the rear.

Rob

Re: 15" Tires for limited autocross use

PostPosted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 2:33 am
by tinsfci
I´m looking for 13" Tires for the same purpose, mainly street but even limited autocross use.

If you have have problem finding 15" tires, guess how many wider tires there is for 13" :rolleyes:

I use Monza original but widened steel wheels and I like them for that "vintage" look:
RALLYE1.jpg

I have:
front: 205/60-13
rear: 215/60-13

The only street tires I seen soo far is Vredestein Classic, which seem to have 205/60-13, but I doubt these tires are far from "performance tires".
They seem to be available in 205/70-15 and 215/70-15 also.

I too really don´t want R-tires, but maybe I have to choose that anyway, if I prefer to stay in the "13" department" :?

Has anyone tested the Toyo Proxes RA1? They seem to have better thread life than the Toyo Proxes R888. They are available in 225/45-15 and 225/50-15.
Approved rim width is 7.0-7.5-8.5 for the "45s" and 6.0-7.0-8.0 for the "50s"

http://toyotires.com/tire/pattern/proxe ... tion-tires

Re: 15" Tires for limited autocross use

PostPosted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 8:27 am
by cosvega76
Per,

The RA-1s are an excellent autocross tire, but not recommended for the street. On the Tire Rack site I see that the R888 is still available in 205/60-13.

Chuck

Re: 15" Tires for limited autocross use

PostPosted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 9:44 am
by tinsfci
cosvega76 wrote:Per,

The RA-1s are an excellent autocross tire, but not recommended for the street. On the Tire Rack site I see that the R888 is still available in 205/60-13.

Chuck


But the R888 is also not really a street tire. :wink: I must honestly say that I have NO experience of R-tires AT ALL. I compared the R888 and the RA1 on Toyos site http://toyotires.com/tires/competition-tires and because the RA1 was marked as having better thread life than the R888, my guess was that the RA-1 was a bit better for street. I thought the tire pattern looked more "stock" on the RA1 too.

But, once again, I have NO experience of R-tires

Re: 15" Tires for limited autocross use

PostPosted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 4:41 pm
by cosvega76
From the Tire Rack website:

Toyo RA-1:
"While Proxes RA1 radials meet DOT requirements, they are not appropriate for highway use."

Toyo R888:
"The Proxes R888 is Toyo’s Streetable Track & Competition tire for driving enthusiasts participating in road racing, track days and high-performance driving schools."

I take that as meaning you could use the R888s on the street (I did - for limited times), although maybe not the best choice for longevity or driving in the rain.


Chuck

Re: 15" Tires for limited autocross use

PostPosted: Thu Apr 25, 2013 5:49 pm
by rpoz-29
I'm running Nitto NT-01's on my ITA Monza, and my '02 Z-28. The Monza runs on 225/45/15's and the Camaro is on 245/50/16's. If money is no object, nothing beats Hoosier A6's.

Re: 15" Tires for limited autocross use

PostPosted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 9:40 am
by olds70supreme
The impression I have gotten is that 15" tire availability is as good as it is going to get, and that 16" wheels may be a better option for long term, widely available tire selection. Thoughts?

Re: 15" Tires for limited autocross use

PostPosted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 4:27 pm
by rpoz-29
Sixteen inch tires may have more sizes, but not when you get into the 245-275 range, which is where you'll be on 8" wheels. My Camaro is on the factory 16x8 wheels, and finding a "compromise" tire was a bit difficult. The Nitto's have worked great on both cars, although I know there are better tires out there. I've run the Camaro on Hoosiers, Kumho 710's, Victoracers, and finally the Nittos. The Camaro has a lousy LSD, and spinning the tires is easy. Pushed hard the Nittos give up a little grip to the other tires I've run on, but they work as good as any under acceleration out of corners. Another thing I like about them is buying them from Discount Tire Direct. Free shipping!

Re: 15" Tires for limited autocross use

PostPosted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 6:16 pm
by cjbiagi
I have 225 BFG's on 8" wheels and they fit fine. Any tire will have a "design" rim width but it will also have an acceptable range that it can be mounted on.

Re: 15" Tires for limited autocross use

PostPosted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 7:09 pm
by rpoz-29
They'll fit, without question. But they will not perform as well, (auto-x wise, that is), particularly if you have a powerful/heavy car.

Re: 15" Tires for limited autocross use

PostPosted: Sat Apr 27, 2013 4:04 am
by tinsfci
cjbiagi wrote:I have 225 BFG's on 8" wheels and they fit fine. Any tire will have a "design" rim width but it will also have an acceptable range that it can be mounted on.

rpoz-29 wrote:They'll fit, without question. But they will not perform as well, (auto-x wise, that is), particularly if you have a powerful/heavy car.


Yep, here´s the example again for Toyo RA-1 225/45-15 and 225/50-15. The bolded number is the ideal rim width:

tinsfci wrote:...they are available in 225/45-15 and 225/50-15.
Approved rim width is 7.0-7.5-8.5 for the "45s" and 6.0-7.0-8.0 for the "50s"

Re: 15" Tires for limited autocross use

PostPosted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 10:04 am
by mad max motorsports
I have the same issue with my Fiero that is built for street and autox/time attack.
In back the wheels are 15x7, I use Hankook RS3 225's
Up front the wheels are 15x6, I use RE-11's 205's
These are the stock staggered sizes. Both tires are "street tire" competitive.

Re: 15" Tires for limited autocross use

PostPosted: Wed Aug 21, 2013 11:09 pm
by 122Vega
RA1 makes a great street/autocross tire. I've run them for years on my streetable Vegas. I have Hoosiers on the race car and they would be ridiculous on the street.