how important are tires?

[88turboii]

Im new to autox, i just finished my 4th event last sunday. Im just running cheapo sears special tires and my first 3 events sucked, i was near last in my class SM2. But my fastest times were pretty much drifting the whole course. Last sunday i actually did alright, more middle of the pack, but most everyone else was running some type of performance tire

i bought some BFG gforce R1's and am going to run them at the next points event. how much difference as far as times do you think they will make?

[P71]

Learn to drive before you step up all the way to R-compounds. They stick so well that they will cover your mistakes. Tires are everything in autocross.

[josh18_2k]

i tend to agree. tires are everything (well, like 80% probably), but the more tire you run, the harder its gonna be to learn. since you're new, i wouldnt recommend anything beyond a street tire. the faster a car is in any way shape or form, the harder it will be to learn to drive it.
i would go for a tire that's predictable, yet fun. something like Falken RT615, Dunlop Direzza, Hankook RS2, etc. fast affordable street tires.
R-comp are far more sensetive to pressure/temp variation, which could be a handicap to a novice driver.

all that said, its probably a good thing you bought R1's, instead of something else. they are track tires, and you wont be able to heat them enough to get unpredictable. and from what i've read, heat cycling doesnt faze them nearly as much as other r-comps.
just focus on keeping the car under control (not sliding around), and you'll improve in no time.

[RotaryProphet]

I run Direzzas on street and track and love them. As a bonus, they're not really phased by the rain, but snow is a no-no with them.

[jecr]

driver skill first
tires second

Since you're new don't expect your times to be at the top. You'll get faster as you gain more seat time. I would compare your times with someone that has been consistent at each event and see if your gaining ground on them. This will give you an idea if your getting faster. SM is NOT a street tire class, so obviously R-compound tires would be needed to win, but your not at that point yet. The R1 is much better tire then the sears tires, so your times should improve.

http://home.fuse.net/remo/22007rx7.jpg

[MaczPayne]

Seat time, Seat time, Seat time!!!

[jecr]

Seat time, Seat time, Seat time!!!

Amen

[Kelton]

Have you tried running Nitrogen yet? It's more consitent than air.

[P71]

The difference between Nitrogen and air is measured in hundredths of a second, that's not going to be of help until the very top of the sport.

[jgrewe]

Work with the tires you have a learn to get the most from them first. If the tires are making a bunch of noise, slow down! You will go faster. They may not make noise when they are letting go but if one end of the car or the other is stepping out you are overdriving the tires. You want to carve the turn, not slide through it.

[Brent]

Just to mimic what these guys have already said... getting a good street tire will help you without hurting you. It will offer traction without masking your mistakes like an R Compound will. Good street tires have already been mentioned. If I were trying to keep it cheap,I'd get some Falken RT-615 Azensis. If you want to drop some change, get the Bridgestone RE-01R's. Of course, this is just my opinion. :D We all have them.

[MaczPayne]

http://images27.fotki.com/v1024/photos/4/43793/7165698/IMG_9226-vi.jpg

Second time out with my new tires, they are a night and day difference over the old 225/245 combo! I think I'll go with the Direzza Z1's after these, I should have enough experience after going through those to run R-comps. Should. Haha.

[Proxy One]

I have some Hankook RS-2's and they are great as well, this season I will be puting on the RE-01R's though.

[Nopis1O]

i have autocrossed for three plus years on street tires and everyone says they want to see me put some r comps on it i think i might this season