And just dropping it here: our Ultimate track tire guide | 200tw, 100tw, street-legal track and R-comps.
Photography Credit: Chris Tropea
Fall is here in Central Texas, which means there’s a chill in the air most mornings. And that is ideal tire testing weather.
We’ve got a couple of interesting rounds on our slate, the first of which is a trio of “tweener 200s.” They’re not quite as quick as the latest Super 200 hotness, but they’re more formidable than the typical Enduro 200s. They give up a touch of pace for more lap-on-lap consistency and longer life.
Yokohama’s Advan Neova AD09 fits that bill perfectly, as does Nexen’s N Fera Sport R. Our third player, the Kumho Ecsta V730, has been on our test slate before, so it will serve as a good relative reference point. They’ll all be mounted on some Flyin’ Miata Kogeki wheels.
[200-treadwear tire test | Kumho Ecsta V730 vs. Yokohama Advan A052]
In addition to our usual after-the-fact online and print story write-ups, we thought it would be fun to lift the curtain a little between scenes to show what goes into one of these tests via a Live Thread in the GRM forum. We might even toss out some data tidbits while we are at it, so check back often.
And just dropping it here: our Ultimate track tire guide | 200tw, 100tw, street-legal track and R-comps.
Hey Andy, why are you at the track today? It's not Friday yet!
Most of my track laps lately have been in one of my CRX's prepping for SCCA TT Nats. Testing needs consistency so I'm out here getting my ND chops back in tune.
Time to mount the donuts.
With all the testing I do, you'd think I'd own a machine but I don't. Instead, I trust people that are meticulous, careful and knowledgeable. In short, I got a guy. His name is Joe. And he lives ten minutes from my house. So he's also convenient. Never messed up a wheel or tire. And very reasonably priced.
Joe also knows the right way to work a balancer to minimize vibration rather than saving weights (default settings).
Joe's only stipulation is that wheels are clean and devoid of weights. Similar to Pirelli and Michelin from my days in Pro Racing.
3M Adhesive Remover plus a plastic tool are the weapons of choice. Brake cleaner is not nearly as effective on weight residue. Get the low-VOC version so your brain cells stay intact. 
"Chill in the air" in central Texas........like 60 degrees?
DeadSkunk (Warren) said:"Chill in the air" in central Texas........like 60 degrees?
Actually, it was in the 40's the other morning.
Of course, high for Friday is looking to be in the 90's again. Sheesh.
My tire hauler...
2007 CX9 will hold three sets easily, and four with some creativity.
And, back at the track again. Today is scrub/heat cycle day. 45 minutes on the highway, 6 laps of ever increasing intensity, then 45 minutes of country roads.
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