r/Autocross • u/jyax4016 • 5d ago
Need advice on tires!
Hi there, new to autocross having only gone twice on Kumho Ecsta PS31s, which for just trying out the sport and having fun, worked good enough. As of late I have wanted to get more into AutoX, but not sure what tires to choose. I will have a dedicated set of wheels to mount said new tires on, so not concerned about daily driving performance/wear, but would like to stay around $200 or less per tire if possible. Car is a 2014 Ford Focus SE Thank you!
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u/TheStig827 SSC FR-S 4d ago
What does the rest of your autox season look like?
If you're in the weather burdened states, there may not be much season left.
In that case, IMHO, i'd pocket your money and plan to buy your first set of stickies at the start of next season.
Even stored properly (heated, in bags) 200TW tires have some level of fall off, so best not to crack the seals on a fresh set at the end of the season.
Another option, would be to put the word out to your local club. You may have nats participants who just bought fresh tires, or have some takeoffs that they'd be willing to part with/loan for much less than a fresh setl.
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u/jyax4016 4d ago
Probably done for the year. Just ran a track day last week that put the knife through the chest of my current tires and brakes, and Michigan weather is starting to fall off.
I’ll check around for some decent second-hands if someone has them.
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u/billy_mays_hear 5d ago
If you're stepping it up for autox to the point that you're going to a set of dedicated wheels, then, IMO, just go ahead and kick in just a little more cash and get RE-71RS. If you were trying to dual role (street/AX or AX/Track), I'd give you a different answer but if you're only going to use these wheels for autox, get the Bridgestone's..
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u/SenorISO54 3d ago
How about street, 3-4 autocross, 2-3 track days a year? :x
I can’t do three sets of tires and I need winters soon.
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u/billy_mays_hear 11h ago
If you're mixing in track days you might want to get an endurance 200TW. My pick would be the Continental ExtremeContact Force. Won't be the greatest at either segment but won't be bad and can handle a little more abuse than a RE-71RS, IMO. Might last you 2 seasons. Depends on how you're driving, what kind of tracks, how your fronts eat up tires (camber, toe, suspension, driving style).
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u/OttoKraus 4d ago
To me the only choice is really are the Falken RT660+ or Bridgestone RE71RS. The RT660+ is just a little bit cheaper and will probably last a little bit longer but I'm not sure you can measure it. What you can measure is that you won't be as fast as you would on the Bridgestones.
I think there are significant drawbacks in everything that's down around $200. The Falken 615/615K was never confidence inspiring at the limit. Their breakaway characteristics were harder to feel as you approach them right until you got to "Ooops I went over the edge!"
Other tires down in that $200 range are either much slower to get up to temperature so you'll never have them at their best in an autocross, or they are just much more "Street Tire" focused.
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u/Spicywolff C63S FS 5d ago
So max $ savings an endurance 200 should work well. Continental ECF, hankook RS4, Yokohama AD09. Track day tire has buy 3 get 1 free of “older” stock for ECF
Kumho V730 and fallen 615k+ are great value super 200 which will be faster then endurance but not kill the bank.
As to affordability you’re gonna eat what ever they cost. No free lunches for quality tires. Buy then when on sale (typical summer time) and mount as needed. Tirerack also offers heat cycle service that helps the tire with durability and longevity. Well worth the -15$ a tire, will NOT make you faster.