Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires AutoCross/Street tire

Ok... I am going to be running my 98 SE in GS Autocross this season... My dunlop D60A2s are almost worn out (after a whopping 18K miles...) Ok they really aren't worn out... but the wife doesn't know that While they are nice tires for everyday use they are getting a bit slippery.

I am trying to decide what would be a good tire to AutoX with AND still drive everyday... a 3 season tire is fine, my Tour doesn't see bad weather!

I was looking at the Kumho 712 (I think) or the Bridgestone RE71 (the RE730 is also an option).

The goal here is to get best bang for buck. I am also willing to 'change size' I want to retain the stock 205 width but I was thinking that 205/55 15 would be fine....

People rave about the kumho, But I ve never tried em. I have driven with the a032r yokohomas loved em, kinda tuff for everyday, maybe weekend and some autocross.
I have run my stock BFG KDWs two times and really like em.

I don't think the a032r would last long on the street... and I bet it is horrible in the rain on poorly drained public streets...

I am looking more towards a street tire that is going to be pretty good in an AutoX

This is my list so far:
205/60 15
Yokohama AVS Intermediate

205/55 15
Bridgestone Potenza RE71

Kumho ECSTA Supra 712

or is it worth the extra $20 a tire for the
BF Goodrich Comp T/A ZR
Dunlop SP SPort 8000
Bridgestone Potenza RE730

Check out tire rack,they have sumitomo htr 100's.205/60 15 for $46.They are summer only tires but have a nice tread design thats exellent for every day and autocrossing.
I have a 2000 contour se sport V6 that i ran in autocross and all season tires just can't hang and it tears them up.I wan't to stay stock.The 205/55 15 will have a major effect om your speedo and also cause your mileage to increase faster because it has a shorter sidewall.
check out the sumitomo's.They have a good price and have a (AA)traction rating.

chris
2000 contour se sport V6

I will check the tire out...

I am not all that concerned about the small difference in sidewall size...The size change will not effect the speedo that much... It will read 3.3% too fast... so in other words if I was doing 100 MPH the speedo would read 103 MPH.

plus that will help the car out in an autoX situation because of better turn in AND a slightly lower gearing

Check out http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

to check out the differences.

I had the same question a while ago and recieved a chart from some one on this site,i too wanted to try the 205/55's but not only does it make the speedo think your going faster it tacks on the mileage faster
and you wind up with more mileage on the car than you drove.hope this helps.
chris
2000 contour se sport V6

Milage, Speedo Readings Etc. are of no concern to me. I am already passed the warrente period (milage wise) for my car so that isn't a problem. The car's value is already low, and I don't plan on selling it any time soon.

The reason I like the 205/55 15 size is that they should offer better turn in, lower ride height (and thus center of Gravity) and the negitives of this are more than OK by me.

I was really hoping to get advise on the actual tires, not the size.


Thanks,
Ted

If you want to autocross go with the Kumho's. If you want a great street tire go with the Bridgestones. The Kumho Ecsta's are based on their 700 Victoracer competition tire with a compound more suited to the street. These are proven winners in SCCA championships. Check out this link www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp?make=Kumho&model=ECSTA+Supra+712 and try to pick a tire that is WR rated. This will give you a stiffer tire and a little more stick. HTH.

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96LX/ATX/A4 repeaters/SVT exhaust/KKM/E1 suspension/SE rockers/BAT swaybar/urethane bushings/Kenwood 7 speaker syst./E1 SVT brakes/9006 lowbeams/885 fogs/50% tint/Michelin XM+S 130's
Soon: E0 rims/ 215/50YR16 gForce's

I have to say to go with the Kumhos. I have them on my 17"s but they need to be warm to have good use. On two occasions in Nov., when it was fairly cold, I about plowed through an intersection making a right turn. It was kind of a hot turn but the tires weren't warmed up yet. I have since added the 19mm bar and bushings fore and aft. Figure I went from 15" to 17" with a significant weight increase to boot. All that aside, these things grip like claws when it's doing the twisties. I'll be putting them back on in the spring. Believe it or not, I had Firehawk SH30s for a bit over two years and about 35K miles. That's AutoXing and 7 HOURS AT THE TRACK during the Nats. I tore them things up!! But they were still great in the rain. Best tire thus far in the rain and all around. They went through two winters as well. They have a 460 rating too. Just an option for ya.

HTH John

When it comes to a tire that will perform well in an autocross and still do ok on the street I would recommend that you go with the RE730's they outperform every other tire you mentioned by a great deal and do offer exceptional wear and excellent wet traction.
Thanks, Luke

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Luke Pavlick
Performance Specialist
ASE Certified Master Tech
for more info or to place orders please call 800-428-8355 ext. 362