Very Sticky Tyres

Cameron Parsons · #1 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 01:51 AM

I know this thread comes up from time to time, but for me, it's time to consider something different.

Those who know my car, know that I run on 15's for both street and race. I have been very happy with both, other than my last outing at Winton. I changed to the very well regarded AVON CR6ZZ on 15's, and although these are highly rated and I know lot's of 15" racers really like them, I didn't particularly like the way they handled.

Now I am considering (which is a long way from deciding) stepping up to a set of 17" rims. If I do, I would be interested in hearing from those racing on 17's, what's the best choice in rubber.

And also, is 17" the way to go, or would the step right to 18" be more beneficial for track work. I'd consider 19's and 20's, but then I would need a set of diamond encrusted dentures to complete the look

Thanks in advance for your pearls of wisdom

Cameron

richardferguson · #2 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 02:20 AM

Check out the reviews and ratings for race rubber on Tirerack.

OZVENOM · #3 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 03:14 AM

Hi Cam i think there is a much better selection of 18" rubber than 17 " might be wrong but it seems that most serious sportcar rubber is 18".
and just on a side note to that advice which has nothing to do with it i know someone who is selling a set of 18" halibrands pin drive with tyres . pm me and i will pass on the details if you get past concidering. our new race cobra will have perilli pzero corsas for wet tyres and slicks for dry on 18 x 12 rims and 18x 10.5 . hope its not too cold over there. see you at the nationals i hope missed you last year.
scott.

Cameron Parsons · #4 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 05:55 AM

Thanks Scott,

I have a leave pass for the Nationals and an excuse to come to Oz.

You have mail!

Cameron

TerrysSPF · #5 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 08:45 AM

Cameron: I'm considering new tires for my SPF and have heard good things about the AVONS. Could you tell me what it was that you didn't like about them?

Wazza · #6 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 03:50 PM

Hi Cameron,

The 17 or 18 inch wheels will give you the right choices.

I've found the Toyo Proxes R888 to be a brilliant track tyre, and of course is still a legal road tyre.
http://www.toyo.com.au/Proxes%20R888%20Page.htm

This means of course that you can prepare the Cobra, and drive to the meeting, compete , and drive home again, which is something I've enjoyed now for years.

Then there is the option ( in 18 inch ) of something like the Michelin SLICKS , ( Carrera Cup Tyres )

This would put you in the "Race Car " category at the Nationals....so then you could Join Scotty / Matt and Steph in kicking my butt in that group if you like.

Regards,
Warren.

sambo · #7 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 04:33 PM

Wazza, looking at the Toyo site it appears that 255 is the widest 17" tyre on offer?

bnewell · #8 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 04:52 PM

Terry ~ don't you also have a set of Goodyear Billboards?? If so, are you selling them??

Did you talk to Dave a couple of months ago?? He told me he was going to call you.

Wazza · #9 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sambo

Wazza, looking at the Toyo site it appears that 255 is the widest 17" tyre on offer?

Yeah.... I think that's about right.

That's the choices I guess....Whether you go for the Semi-slicks/legal road tyres that max out at about 10 and a bit inches (255)....or full slicks that are around the 11-12 inch range.

spookypt · #10 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 05:50 PM

Cam, did you get my PM... I'm in your local as we speak.. Chinese domestic air and local taxi is an experience to say the least.....

Matt

Cameron Parsons · #11 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 06:25 PM

I did Spooky, sent you an email on your work address.

I'll PM contact details too

Cameron

LoBelly · #12 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 07:12 PM

Did you like the tyres you had before the Avons?

and if so - what were they? looking for some better 15s at the moment

ta
LoBelly

Cameron Parsons · #13 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 02:42 AM

Thanks all for the responses. As I said, I haven't decided to change, as I really like the vintage look, but I am sorely tempted.

Now there are tyres out there for everyone, so I am not trying to start a this tyre is better than that. It's just that the characteristics of a tyre suit some people better than others.... This is my opinion.

Before the AVONS I had the TA-R's. I quite liked the TA-R's, they seemed to stick well and always felt predictable. It is also probably fair to say I didn't push the TA's as hard as the AVONS, as I did have a faster lap time with the AVONS. BUT...

I drove on the AVONS on Mallala, and for those that know the track it has a wicked bend in the back straight, not unlike Wakefield. On that bend I started to drift the rear at a very spooky speed, north of 200k's. It did come back in, in time to brake for the next turn, but the heart rate took a lot longer to slow down.

I also had the rear break free at speed on a few other occassions on bends under moderate power.

Then at Winton, it was like a drift competition. I had a lot of drift in turn 1, the sweeper, at the top of the back straight and through the kink onto the short front straight.... I have always been told, drifting costs time.

This made me quite uncomfortable, and has me questioning the choice for me. To make a fair comparison, I would have to try the AVONS and TA's back to back on the same track, but unfortunately the family fortune was squandered on cockroach race behind some pub in Collingwood, so that luxury is beyond me.

I did try many pressure combinations and suspension tweaks to assess the differences. The AVONS seemed to come on fast enough, but then got to a point and did not get any more grip.

So now I am tossing up;

- Stick to 15's and enjoy the challenge of technology over track (which is a lot of what Cobra's is all about)
- Go to hi-tech rubber and have a shot at beating the clock

Decisions, decisions ... That's half the fun

Cameron

Leeroy · #14 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 04:16 AM

Cameron

I have 17" wheels 7.5" wide front, with 9.5" rear rims.

I had the Yoko AR032 which as first time racer I thought they were awesome
until I fitted the Toyo R888 which are even better. Normally I would run 235 front and 275 rear as per Yoko's which are no longer available. Toyo only do a 255 rear which in my view is a better size than the 275 only looks arent as tough, car seems to handle more predictably with smaller rear rubber.

Time again I would have picked 18" as there is more choice in rubber and look nicer as well

Leeroy

Mrs flatchat · #15 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 04:42 AM

http://www.mdmotorsport.com.au/catal...oosier&catid=1
Hi Cam, now that you've tried all the expensive tyres -- go with the Hoosiers
we use R3S04 (R6) 275/50x15 and 225/50 x15 --they make us look fast and we don't have to wear out the brakes at corners

Cameron Parsons · #16 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 08:08 AM

Looking at your Avatar the corner braking is your speciality!!

Thanks for the thoughts ..

Cameron

Cameron Parsons · #17 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 08:11 AM

Leeroy,

was that look nicer, or look ricer

Thanks

Cameron

P.S. Just caught up with Spookypt in Beijing for dinner tonight, a touch warmer than our meeting up here, but also lot's of fun...

bret a ewing · #18 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 10:03 AM

Test Pilot Cameron,
Thanks for the Avon review.
What tire pressures have you experimented with? What was the ambient air temp at that time? How do you have your f/r suspension set up? .......and, what type/weight engine do you have up front?
Thanks a bunch !!

justbetter · #19 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 04:49 PM

Morning Sir Cameron, I been waching from afar.

You know i run 15's ( road ) 17's Track & Road, i would love 18's because of the tyre selection for the track and road.

Our problem arrises ( because we want our cars to look good all the time ) that the SPF rims only come in 15 & 17, i had my 17's made here in OZ to get a wider diamiter.
The problem i see ( have ) is the aftermarket rims are twice the weight of SPF ones. Lucky i have the HP to get them to mumbo. With you relying on your talent and stickyness this could be a bit of a hinderence for you.

You might get weights from the rim co's first to see which direction you head.

Take care

Garrett

TerrysSPF · #20 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 08:06 PM

Brian: I'll send you a PM.

Cameron: Thanks for posting your experience with the AVONS. I'm basically looking for a better street tire (no track time) that is DOT. I had a set of Billboards (non DOT) and got rid of them. -With the slim pickins' we have in 15 inch rubber, I'm kinda kicking myself for doing that now, though.