Another day Autocrossing at California Speedway

[LtNoogie]

Originally Posted by CASTREX

You should really start thinking on a track dedicated set of wheels and tires...

Are my 10lb wheels considered appropriate for the track? Or do I want some ugly but beefy wheels? The Motegi's were a bit pricey and it would be painful to have to buy another set just for the infrequent race days.

I can't imagine heavy steelies improving track performance.

However, I can understand buying a set of stickier tires just for racing.

Also, I drive the little car to the track. Do people stuff four wheel/tire sets into their car and then change them there? I saw where people pulled little trailers just with their race tires in them.

[jkuchta]

What you could do is get a set of steelies for the street, and put some sticky rubber on the wheels you have now for track duty.

As far as transporting said wheels/tires......cheapest thing to do is get a set of tire totes and just drop the back seat down (or better yet, gut the back!). Even with stock suspension you can get one whole side of the car off the ground with a single jack, which makes tire changes pretty easy trackside.

[CASTREX]

Originally Posted by LtNoogie

Are my 10lb wheels considered appropriate for the track? Or do I want some ugly but beefy wheels? The Motegi's were a bit pricey and it would be painful to have to buy another set just for the infrequent race days.

I can't imagine heavy steelies improving track performance.

However, I can understand buying a set of stickier tires just for racing.

Also, I drive the little car to the track. Do people stuff four wheel/tire sets into their car and then change them there? I saw where people pulled little trailers just with their race tires in them.

wow 10lbs motegi's. Nice! Didn't know you were running on those.

All you need now is some rubber then!

If you drive your car to the track and want to keep it on a budget you can get some Falken Azenis RT-615 or Dunlop direzza star spec.

Those are not very expensive and you still would be able to drive them safely to the track. You can even get decent mileage out of them if you wish to keep them for daily usage thru the summer.

[LtNoogie]

Dang! And I thought that racing would be an inexpensive hobby.

[thebarber]

lol, i had some extra steelies with 185-60-14 r-comps on them....just chuck 'em in the back of the yaris.....bring a jack and do it all at the track....thats what i did

happen to have the 14" steelies for sale if you want to buy 'em....

14" steelies are only 14lbs each and you can fit decent sized r comps on 'em. what you need to do is get on your local scca forum and pick up some used r-comps....lots of guys (especially with miatas (which, btw have the same offset, bolt pattern and hub bore as a yaris)) will sell off tires that are less that 50% tread because theyre not AS effective.

i say pick up some used rims and r comp tires to try 'em.....shouldnt be TOO expensive

[cleong]

I'd spend money on brake and tire upgrades next.

Those two things'll allow you to brake harder, later, for a longer time, carry more speed into and out of corners, buying you more laptime, perhaps as much a gain as that extra 30hp from the SC did.

[Russelt3hPirate]

brakes? for autox? nah.

just get some better street tires.

Dunlop Z1 Star Specs or even some Falken RT615s.

you'll notice a big difference in the autox performance. :)

[LtNoogie]

Does anyone have an opinion on the Kuhmo ECSTA XS? They were designed to be "Falken killers" and priced similarly to the Falken RT615s.

[mojoyaris]

Congrats! Keep up the good work. I'm very happy to see the SC helps out.

Tires, you need tires.

[mojoyaris]

Originally Posted by LtNoogie

Does anyone have an opinion on the Kuhmo ECSTA XS? They were designed to be "Falken killers" and priced similarly to the Falken RT615s.

We have alot of guys using Kuhmo at the VCMC events here in BC. Kumho is one of their sponsors and alot of the guys there have V710's, very sticky.
I have a set in the garage. :)

The Ecsta XS tires are ok. But you may really want to try R-comps and considering you have the SC you're in a category that's already pretty tough as it is. Tires will help alot. Do you have the suspension to match this?
You'll want to get the suspension done up.

Unless you want to stay in street class try the Kumhos. Otherwise, once you've gone into R-comps. It's hard to go back.

[cali yaris]

I don't think I'd use this on the street, but here is the V710:

[LtNoogie]

Ouch! Tire Rack wants $186 a tire for the V710 in 205/50ZR15.

[Russelt3hPirate]

Originally Posted by LtNoogie

Does anyone have an opinion on the Kuhmo ECSTA XS? They were designed to be "Falken killers" and priced similarly to the Falken RT615s.

They are newer so in theory they should be better, but they aren't proven yet.

I think the Dunlop Z1 Star Specs are still cheaper.

Originally Posted by LtNoogie

Ouch! Tire Rack wants $186 a tire for the V710 in 205/50ZR15.

it's well worth it, you would only use them at the track so they last a long time when properly rotated and with the right amount of camber.

you will need a 2nd set of wheels, no point in putting them on the stockers really, you "could" but it'd be funny to have lighter street wheels.

pick up a set of 15x7 Enkei RPF1s, slap on the V710s you'll have a pretty sweet autox setup.

then all you need is a coilover suspension (properly setup).

although I would suggest getting better tires on the Motegi's and learning how to drive the car before changing anything else.

[mojoyaris]

If you were here up in Canada, I have a set of V710's 205/50/15's.
I also have a set of Yokohama a048 softies the same size.
DNGZ's been using that set last summer.
Treadwear ratings are 70 for both tires.
I noticed you already have the TRD shocks and springs and the rear swaybar. This is good enough. The tires will make a difference.

[LtNoogie]

Thanks to all of you for your advice because it appears to come from real track experience. The only thing holding me back right now is the cost of four new wheels and tires. I'll start setting aside money and by mid-year will get a dedicated track set.

[Russelt3hPirate]

Originally Posted by LtNoogie

Thanks to all of you for your advice because it appears to come from real track experience. The only thing holding me back right now is the cost of four new wheels and tires. I'll start setting aside money and by mid-year will get a dedicated track set.

get some Enkei RPF1s in a 15x7 and a nice 205/50/15 be it a street tire or R-comp.

do it! :D

[thebarber]

Originally Posted by Russelt3hPirate

get some Enkei RPF1s in a 15x7 and a nice 205/50/15 be it a street tire or R-comp.

do it! :D

lol, cus thats the cheapest way...