[bptuner]

Well, I was able to see it in person for myself yesterday!!
I went to watch some autox and 2 entries were running Hoosier slicks. A C8 on 19's and a SS 1LE on 18's... both cars appeared panted with tons of grip especially the C8 not sure what other mods he had other than and axel back and 3lt lip, side skirts and some kind of wing, car looked great (all black)! The SS was running a 40 sidewall in front said he got a killer deal and decided to go for it. He had an exhaust, set of race pads and a fresh motor as he popped his last time on track (thank God for warranties). Lap after lap they logged practicing for time trials, I was nervous watching (as I'm sitting P3 in the standings with an invite only end of year for top times to battle for bragging rights) they both looked fast with great grip. After time trials ended, they were 1,2 out of the 25-car field. The SS 1st, C8 2nd with about a half second separating them, I will say their practice laps appeared quicker, but pressure of knowing you're on the clock is a big part of competition.

Anyway, watching has made me realize if there is an advantage to be gained running slicks, 18's are the way to go. Oh and I was P3 going into the day and stayed P3 at the end of the day.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by Scargoes

So, you are saying the pace of the REs is nearly the same as the RT660s? If that's the case, I'll stick with the CR-S as I averaged 1 second quicker in my testing when I pitted the RT660 and CR-S V1 against each other.

I'm not Dave, but I can tell you that a set of 285/35/19 RE71RS is significantly faster in an autocross run than a set of 305/315 Falkens. I would assume the same will be true for TT runs. I don't know which tire would be better over a 20-minute session of continuous hot laps.

[VR Baron]

Originally Posted by Msquared

I'm not Dave, but I can tell you that a set of 285/35/19 RE71RS is significantly faster in an autocross run than a set of 305/315 Falkens. I would assume the same will be true for TT runs. I don't know which tire would be better over a 20-minute session of continuous hot laps.

Re71s May be worth looking at. But with my 10.75” wide wheels , while on the wide side of the recommended sizes, not sure how handling will be. Definitely more crisp response being stretched on that wheel. May help as tire rack says these tires don’t have the old re71 turn in ability.

[DaveC113]

Originally Posted by Scargoes

That's why I said I haven't see the evidence personally.

So, you are saying the pace of the REs is nearly the same as the RT660s? If that's the case, I'll stick with the CR-S as I averaged 1 second quicker in my testing when I pitted the RT660 and CR-S V1 against each other.

Just to follow up, I'm not buying Falkens again, they heat cycle off too fast. I feel like the set I currently have are significantly worse in that regard vs the set I had before. I even heat cycled them before using hoping they'd last longer.

I drove to Lincoln for an Evo school + MidDivs, the Evo school killed them off, they never "turned on" for MidDivs, didn't get a fair life out of them imo. 200tw but the compound heat cycles out well before you hit the wear bars... The concrete at Lincoln felt greasy, was pretty disappointing. It was impressive seeing so much concrete though, it's an unbelievably large space and some fun courses. I just can't believe I was there on bad tires.

Thinking a set of 18x11 et35 square wheels are in my future so I can run 295/35/18 RE71RS. Either that or wait for the Nankang CRS V2 in 325/30/19 and 305/30/19, but they are more expensive and from what I've heard not the equal of REs anyways, so yeah at this point I think you pretty much need to run REs to make a level playing field.

[DaveC113]

Originally Posted by Msquared

I'm not Dave, but I can tell you that a set of 285/35/19 RE71RS is significantly faster in an autocross run than a set of 305/315 Falkens. I would assume the same will be true for TT runs. I don't know which tire would be better over a 20-minute session of continuous hot laps.

On average, this is definitely the case.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by VR Baron

Re71s May be worth looking at. But with my 10.75” wide wheels , while on the wide side of the recommended sizes, not sure how handling will be. Definitely more crisp response being stretched on that wheel. May help as tire rack says these tires don’t have the old re71 turn in ability.

They aren't very stretched on my rear 19x11s. They are a bit pinched on my 19x10 fronts. Keep in mind that 285/35 is the biggest 19" tire they currently offer, but if you have 18s you can use 295/35/18. I know at least one nationally competitive driver is using those on 18x12s.

[VR Baron]

Originally Posted by Msquared

They aren't very stretched on my rear 19x11s. They are a bit pinched on my 19x10 fronts. Keep in mind that 285/35 is the biggest 19" tire they currently offer, but if you have 18s you can use 295/35/18. I know at least one nationally competitive driver is using those on 18x12s.

Thanks Matt. Yeah mine are 19s and an odd width. I am waiting to see what happens next year here in SoCal. We all don’t even know if we will have autocross here as we have one venue left. Till the neighbors get fed up with noise three weekend out of the month from three groups. Sucks!

[joelster]

Originally Posted by DaveC113

Just to follow up, I'm not buying Falkens again, they heat cycle off too fast. I feel like the set I currently have are significantly worse in that regard vs the set I had before. I even heat cycled them before using hoping they'd last longer.

I drove to Lincoln for an Evo school + MidDivs, the Evo school killed them off, they never "turned on" for MidDivs, didn't get a fair life out of them imo. 200tw but the compound heat cycles out well before you hit the wear bars... The concrete at Lincoln felt greasy, was pretty disappointing. It was impressive seeing so much concrete though, it's an unbelievably large space and some fun courses. I just can't believe I was there on bad tires.

Thinking a set of 18x11 et35 square wheels are in my future so I can run 295/35/18 RE71RS. Either that or wait for the Nankang CRS V2 in 325/30/19 and 305/30/19, but they are more expensive and from what I've heard not the equal of REs anyways, so yeah at this point I think you pretty much need to run REs to make a level playing field.

Agree on the assessment. I get roughly 80 laps (7-8 events) out of my Falkens. The middle tread on front will look nearly new and be 4-5/32nds. The outer edges will be worn. Once they are at that point I'm lucky to get 1 decent run out of 6, that the car feels predictable and somewhat planted. I take them off and sell them for $150/4.

I really wish they would make the RE's in a 315. I can't justify a 295 RE versus a 315-anything. Giving up 20mm on each corner seems like too much.

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by joelster

I really wish they would make the RE's in a 315. I can't justify a 295 RE versus a 315-anything. Giving up 20mm on each corner seems like too much.

You are thinking of this wrong. The 295/35/18 RE71RS is not as narrow as you think, and it's significantly faster than the 315 Falken on the same wheels. Likewise (and an even more extreme difference in size), on 19s the 285/35 RE71RS is significantly faster than the 305/315 RT660 combo on 10/11" wheels.

[DaveC113]

Originally Posted by joelster

Agree on the assessment. I get roughly 80 laps (7-8 events) out of my Falkens. The middle tread on front will look nearly new and be 4-5/32nds. The outer edges will be worn. Once they are at that point I'm lucky to get 1 decent run out of 6, that the car feels predictable and somewhat planted. I take them off and sell them for $150/4.

I really wish they would make the RE's in a 315. I can't justify a 295 RE versus a 315-anything. Giving up 20mm on each corner seems like too much.

My new Falkens seemed to fall off earlier than the two previous sets I've had. With the life I got out of them I'd need 3 sets a year. Friends who bought REs before I put these Falkens on are still running the same REs and they are still fast.

Falkens in 315 square or 315/305 can be fast, but the 285 or 295 REs are faster, plus they have a much broader sweet spot. REs are fast from run one and yet seem to handle heat as well as Falkens. They seem to not heat cycle out as quickly. It all adds up to more runs with the tires working as intended and less $/run spent on tires overall. Falkens are only fast when almost new and at just the right temp.

I just pulled the trigger on 295/35/18 REs for about $380/tire plus there was $100 in rebates and $150 in Capital One shopping rewards which brings the cost down to a little under $1300/set. Falkens come to $1800. You're spending a lot more money for slower tires that don't last as long.

[joelster]

Originally Posted by Msquared

You are thinking of this wrong. The 295/35/18 RE71RS is not as narrow as you think, and it's significantly faster than the 315 Falken on the same wheels. Likewise (and an even more extreme difference in size), on 19s the 285/35 RE71RS is significantly faster than the 305/315 RT660 combo on 10/11" wheels.

I have a tire machine and balancer and mount race tires all the time. Falkens run huge, balance like shit, and can be an enormous pain in the ass to seat. Especially the "batch" that I've been mounting lately. They seem to be getting worse. The last 3 sets I mounted have been a whore. I wasn't specifically comparing a 315 Falken to a 295 RE though. I usually run a 315/30/18 Yok, and I doubt that a 295 RE is faster than a Yok when giving up 20mm on all 4 corners.

My 19" wheels are 11.5" in back and 11" in front. Not sure how the rears would handle a 285 tire. The specs say to mount it on a 9.5-11" wheel.

EDIT: specs say the 295/35/18 RE-71has a tread width of 10.7" and the 315/30/18 Yok has a width of 11.9"

[Msquared]

Originally Posted by joelster

I wasn't specifically comparing a 315 Falken to a 295 RE though. I usually run a 315/30/18 Yok, and I doubt that a 295 RE is faster than a Yok when giving up 20mm on all 4 corners.

I know of data that specifically says a 295/35/18 RE is faster than a 315/30/18 Yok, both on 18x12 wheels. And the RE lasts a metric shit ton longer and is way more resistant to overheating.

My 19" wheels are 11.5" in back and 11" in front. Not sure how the rears would handle a 285 tire. The specs say to mount it on a 9.5-11" wheel.

Understood, but they will work on a 19x11.5, especially given that the 295/35/18 is known to work well on an 18x12.

[Baddawg53]

With all this talk about how great the 295/35/18 Bridgestone RE71RS is, I'd just like to throw it out there that I have a lightly used set of them that I'd be more than happy to sell if anyone is interested.

I personally was not a big fan, maybe it was just my car or my personal preference, but they just didn't feel good to drive. I was just shy of 6 seconds away my previous best with them. They weren't losing grip, but the car felt off balance and very loose with them. I definitely prefer a stiffer, more responsive tire.

[joelster]

Originally Posted by Msquared

I know of data that specifically says a 295/35/18 RE is faster than a 315/30/18 Yok, both on 18x12 wheels. And the RE lasts a metric shit ton longer and is way more resistant to overheating.


Understood, but they will work on a 19x11.5, especially given that the 295/35/18 is known to work well on an 18x12.

I raced against Strano in his Mach 1 a month ago. He took off his RE-71's and showed up on fresh 315 Yoks instead. There was a $1500 winners check on the line. I doubt he would have done that had he thought the RE's were faster. I'd like to see your data though. I'll likely pick up a set of RE's for next year simply because of the cost.