Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Autocross and Open Track How to Setup?

A late response. I have a basically stock 2000 SVT Contour that I use for track days two or three times a year. For track day use I bought 215/45/60 Azenis mounted on no-name 16x7 wheels. They were quite a step up from the stock KDWs. Higher cornering limits, forgiving breakaway and better braking (my antilocks came on a lot less often). The slightly smaller diamter was not a problem on the track, just acted like a slightly lower gear set. The tires were less than $100 each from Discount Tire. They are not unidirectional so I can move them around on the car to even out wear. If you don't have a shoulder harness set (I use a Schroth) get one. It's nice not to have to brace myself while cornering. Now I can concentrate on driving. Put 6+ quarts in the engine and have fun!

Oops, sorry. 215/45/16 Azenis.

Azenis are good, but they are still a street tire. If you ever get a chance to get on some DOT approved R tires, do so. You'll understand the addiction after that.

Just for reference Grassroots Motorsports magazine did a comparison between street tires and DOT R's and on a 35 or 45 second course (can't remember exactly) the slowest of the race tires beat out the fastest of the street tires, which by the way weren't Azenis, by over 2 seconds. That should give you an idea of the difference between street tires and race tires.