NB: Since this article was published, various changes have been made, both to the tyres and the road rules here in Australia, and as such AutoSpeed has re-written this article to accomodate these changes. Go here for the new and improved version...
Many of us have been let down by a pedestrian set of tyres at one time or another. Whether you've slid outa control around a fast corner, or often find yourself watching smoke clouds whenever you drop the hammer - the frustration can be immense. So here's our updated annual report on the stickiest rubber around.
The reason we're so often disappointed is that most road tyres are designed to suit the driving style of the average motorist - not the typical AutoSpeed adrenaline junky. But, luckily, the solution to our traction woes can be found in a set of semi-race tyres that are road legal. These tyres all have a minimal tread depth, a soft rubber compound, extra-firm sidewalls and - needless to say - sensational grip and adhesion. They also come with an H (210 km/h) speed rating or higher, which makes them ideal for our high-performance applications.
But are they really legal?
There's a simple way of identifying whether or not a tyre is legal for road use. If it has "DOT" or "E" written on the sidewall, it's passable - no probs. DOT is the US abbreviation for the Department of Transport, while "E" is the recognised European compliance symbol. Having said that, it wouldn't be unthinkable to get pulled over by the police for supposedly "bald tyres" - regardless of their technical legality. And we'd also strongly suggest that you check out your insurance coverage with a set of semi-slicks fitted - you don't want any loopholes that they can wiggle their way out of...
Comparing Specs
Where supplied, the Uniform Tyre Quality Grade (UTQG) data tells us about the details of a tyre. The areas quantified are tread wear, traction and temperature resistance.
Here's an example of a UTQG and how it can be broken down:
60-A-C ...where... 60 = treadwear, A = traction, C = temperature
The lower the treadwear number the softer the tyre is, while the following letters represent its traction and temperature resistance grade (A, B and C a la school grading order).
Road-Legal Semi-race Tyres Available...
Note that all of the tyres listed here are available in Australia - some countries may have the same tyre available under a different name. For comparative purposes, the prices quoted are for a 225/50 16 size (where possible). All Australian prices are pre-GST, as the final figures had not been determined at the time of writing.
BF Goodrich
First up is the BFG G Force T/A R1 (incidentally, the T/A stands for Traction Advantage). Its shallow skid-depth of 3/32-inch (2.38mm), new tread compounding, inflated profile and internal construction makes it "the ultimate tyre for showroom stock or autocross competition". It offers linear, predictable, precise response to steering inputs, improved progression and ease of driving and improved dry traction, braking and turn-in (over the old Comp T/A R1).
The BFG G Force T/A R1 comes in sizes from 185/60 14 to 335/30 18.
Speed Rating: G Force T/A R1s are all Z rated.
UTQG Rating: G Force is 0-A-A.
Approx Price: US$155
Dunlop
The 'R' in any Dunlop tyre name represents its design for racing use while still being street legal. The Formula R D98J (like the rest of the 'R' range) incorporates a reduced tread depth, high stability tread pattern, race type construction techniques as well as special tread compounds. A more conventional looking variant is the D93J, which has increased wet-weather performance over the D98J. Then comes the more recent RSV 98 tyre, which combines the D98J's dry weather grip and the D93J's wet-weather advantages - it's a good all-round tyre
Note - at the time of writing - a new D01 model had just been introduced to selectively replace the aging D98J.
Formula Rs have won the Bathurst 12 Hour, the Eastern Creek 12 Hour, Targa Tasmania, three Peaks Rallies, Dutton's GP Rallies, Indy GP Rallies, the Panama Alaska Rally and more. Formula 'R's are available from 165/70 10 to 255/40 17, while the Formula RSV 98 comes in sizes ranging from 195/55 15 to 265/35 18.
Speed Rating/UTQG Rating: unknown.
Approximate Price: All AUS$425
*Note - the D98J is only available in 45 series in 16-inch 225
Hoosier
Another DOT-approved rubber is the Hoosier Street TD. This is a bias-ply tyre which "has been dominating for years". It features excellent predictability, wonderful outright grip and an extremely light mass to achieve its high status.
These are available from 185/60 13s up to 335/30 18s (for a recommended 12 inch rim width).
Speed Rating: All Z rated.
UTQG Rating: 0-A-C (yes, zero!).
Approximate Price: AUS$400
Only just legal for road use is Hoosier's Radial A3S03/R3S03. These use an asymmetrical tread design with dual grooves around its perimeter, and very shallow tread impressions elsewhere on its footprint. It is the product of much laboratory experimentation and extensive track testing.
Combined, the A3S03 and R3S03 are available in sizes from 185/60 13 to a massive 335/30 18.
Speed Rating: All Z rated.
UTQG Rating: 40-A-C
Approximate Price: US$168-184
Kumho
Kumho's VictoRacer V700 is the premium performance tyre from the Ecsta range. This product is fully moulded, features an excellent tread compound, asymmetric pattern to provide maximum cornering power - and it also has long tread life (hooray!). Improved traction (via large shoulder tread blocks) is given for maximum cornering and braking and its steering response is outstanding thanks to its stiff sidewalls. It also is mighty strong because of its nylon reinforced two steel belts. A tread depth of between 5 to 6/32nds of an inch indicates this to be an extreme performance tyre.
Victos come available from 205/60 13s up to 315/35 17s.
Speed Rating: V-rated in 13-14 inch sizes and Z-rated for 15-17 inchers.
UTQG Rating: 50-A-A.
Approximate Price: US$135
Pirelli
This company currently has some great ads - like the woman running through the water and up the wall etcetera. Anyway, the P Zero C is their most purposeful tyre legal for road use - although it is mainly intended for circuit use. It features "excellent road holding near the limit, constant performances under very high speeds and a high resistance to the physical/mechanical stresses arising from circuit use". With a ZR (240km/h) rating, the P Zero C also has an asymmetric tread design possessing extra large outer blocks "to allow maximum road holding and stability in bends". And don't forget the rhomboidal blocks in the inner area, which deliver good handling in the wet...
P Zero Cs are available in sizes starting from 185/60 13, right up to 285/30 18.
Speed Rating: All ZR rated.
UTQG Rating: unknown.
Approximate Price: AUS$600 (depending on supply)
Yokohama
Yokohamas are amongst the most recognised of all the ultra-high performance tyres on the market, and more tyre outlets carry these than any other brand. Their relatively new A032R is a proven top performer - and it looks pretty damn impressive too. This tyre was designed primarily for the track and for driving school participants, but it also brings racing tyre design to the street. It provides terrific grip, with a pronounced and very functional tread that is 8/32-inch (6.35mm) deep for improved wet weather performance. Its tread also incorporates large tread blocks (to maximise road contact) and tapered edges to maximise wear and 'chunking' of the tyre.
The cool lookin' A032 is available in sizes from 175/60 13 to 275/40 17.
Speed Rating: These vary from H, V and Z - however, the larger ones are all Z rated.
UTQG Rating: 60-A-A
Approximate Price: AUS$455
Then there is the A-008RS, which has been recently discontinued, but there are still some sets floating around at some tyre outlets. Also suitable for road race and driver schools, the RS features an asymmetric tread pattern for extremely high levels of cornering power. It is even highly recommended for high-speed driver schools because of its superior wear rate (for a competition tyre). There is also the RSII variant which was aimed at autocross, having an advanced tread compound which heats up quickly to drop lap times in that type of event.
RSs made from 185/60 13 to 315/35 17, and RSIIs from 185/60 13 to 315/35 17.
Speed Rating: Either H or Z rated depending on profile.
UTQG Rating: 80-A-A to 80-A-B
Approximate Price: AUS$350-$400 (old stock)
Bridgestone
The Potenza RE520S is Bridgestone's offering - which has only recently started being replaced by the similar (but much improved) RE540S. However, 520Ss have proven themselves on Australian club racing cars and have received a lot of praise. Both the 520 and 540 are directional tyres with a standard tread depth of 5.2mm and an extra-stiffened sidewall. This sidewall is rumoured to be amongst the firmest in this category of tyre. In the 520 range (which is still being sold until they're gone), the 195/60 14 and 245/45 17 are available with the choice of a soft or hard tread compound.
The RE520S/RE540S comes in a choice of sizes from 175/60 13 to the 245/45 17 - which is recommended for a rim width of 8-inches.
Speed Rating: In the RE520S/RE540S range, the 60 series tyres are all H rated and the 50-55 series are all V rated (except for the 225/50 16 and 245/45 17, which are Z rated).
UTQG Rating: Not available.
Approximate Price: AUS$300
Falken
The Falken Azenis is this company's most appropriate road legal tyre. However, it's also "for the weekend racing enthusiast" and has given good results in hill climbs and club sprint events in Australia. Available at an affordable price, the directional Azenis represents an excellent daily road tyre with weekend race capabilities. It uses a soft rubber compound and computer designed tread grooves to channel water away from the contact areas. Note that the newly released Falken RSV04 is even more serious than the Azenis. This tyre won Targa Tasmania 2000 (thanks to Jim Richards) and is even softer than the Azenis - which means it also wears out extra-fast. We've been advised that this model isn't nearly as suited to general street use as the Azenis.
The Azenis is available most common sizes from 195/60 14 up to 255/40 17s.
Speed Rating: 60 series Azenis tyres are H rated, 50-55 series are V rated and the lowest profile (45 series) has a Z rating.
UTQG Rating: Not available.
Approximate Price: AUS$430
Toyo
Toyo's DOT approved competition radial is the Proxes RA-1 (and no, it's not "poxy")!
Designed for "touring racing", it uses steel wire reinforced sidewalls, an aggressive directional tread pattern with a 8/32-inch (6.35mm) depth for exceptional wet weather traction. Shaved down to 4/32 icnhes (3.2mm), it is claimed to dramatically drop your lap times. Internally it features two wide steel belts, jointless edge and cap construction as well as a special tread compound to optimise adhesion and durability. It is the exclusive control tyre for the Professional Sports Car Endurance Championship, and is a proven winner in autocross and car club events.
The Proxes RA-1 is available in a reasonable range of sizes from 205/60 13 to 235/45 17.
Speed Rating: The smaller RA-1s up to 225/50 14 are V rated, while the larger sizes are all Z rated.
UTQG Rating: The Proxes RA-1 is quite a competition based tyre with a 40-A-A rating.
Approximate Price: AUS$300-350 (depending on supply)
The last word...
Take your time choosing the right tyre for your car. It's important for you to bear in mind that a certain tyre might perform brilliantly on (for example) a rear-wheel-drive 300ZX, but prove to be a total flop when fitted to a front-wheel-drive Peugeot. And someone else's idea of sticking like you-know-what to a blanket might not be the same as yours either.
Unfortunately, there's no theoretical way of determining how successful any one set of tyres will be - more often than not you're going purely by guesswork. Compounding the problem, consumers have little recourse if they aren't entirely satisfied with their purchase - which is often a reasonably expensive one. Because of this expensive suck-it-and-see situation, we'd thoroughly recommend arranging some sort of buy-back or exchange deal with your tyre shop if you aren't happy. Good luck though - you'll need to push them hard!
Contacts:
Yokohama, Falken, Pirelli, Toyo -
North Terrace Tyres (Adelaide)
+61 8 8362 2113
Dunlop -
Stuckey Tyres (Melbourne)
+61 3 9386 5331 or
http://www.stuckey.com.au
Hoosier Street TD, Bridgestone -
Kym Davis Tyres (Adelaide)
+61 8 8332 0800
Hoosier A3S03/R3S03, BF Goodrich, Kumho -
Tire Rack online (U.S.)
http://www.tirerack.com
Bridgestone Australia Ltd.
+61 8 8348 9177
Goodyear
www.goodyear.com
(Note - Eagle F1 GS-CS 1 is only officially available from the US)
Toyo
http://www.toyo.com
