Best 14\" tyre for occassional track work

[StanTheMan]

on the racetrack you can swap them any which way. its only when it rains you get into trouble.

No?

[Steampunk]

Well no and yes.
Most, if not all, symmetrical tyres are made so the leading edges are more rounded/chamfered and/or made of a slightly softer compound to reduce tyre noise. Water and debris channeling is the main concern with tyre groove design, so the tyres' rotational direction matters alot more in wet than dry, but it still matters regardless.

You are unlikely to see asymmetrical tyres on race or fast road-going cars.
The only real advantage of asymmetrical tyres over symmetrical is the ability of interchangability of all corners. But when you think about it, on normal road-going cars, what conditions would you be driving in, in order to take advantage of that?, unless you drive like that weird lady with a phobia of right-hand turns, so she can only make left-hand turns.

[timk]

I talked myself out of the Falken Azenis RT615 last time I purchased tyres (got Yoko S.Drive instead) but next time I am getting them for sure!

Not good for a dedicated track tyre but for mostly street and the odd track day I think they are a great compromise.

[Steampunk]

You talked yourself out of them cause they would have been close to $300 each at the time
It's only money though, right Saboteur?

[timk]

I think the best price was $240 a tyre in 205/50/15. I wish it were \"only\" money!

[kitkat]

Phatmx, I was running 32 psi at QR and it started to feel like it was "folding" under on the last flying lap. Mind you, my alignment settings are not the best (needed more negative camber).

Im no expert but i would have thought 32psi is a bit low... i was running 40psi all round. 32psi would be good for street or an R compound i thought.

Anyone confirm?

[Brad]

I talked myself out of the Falken Azenis RT615 last time I purchased tyres (got Yoko S.Drive instead) but next time I am getting them for sure!

Not good for a dedicated track tyre but for mostly street and the odd track day I think they are a great compromise.

I went from 75% worn 14" RT615's to 16" S-Drives and the S's have way more grip then the RT's when I changed over. Sure a lot has to do with the lower profile and less age, but for street use the S's are much better. On the track may be different though as the RT's handled long stints on the track really well. I guessing the S's are a much softer compound and will go off quickly.

[RaYmO]

I am presently on the Potenza GIII's at the moment as well and I don't mind them... HOWEVER I just called Bridgestone and they no longer make the GIII's for 14\" (or ANY sports performance tread for that size)

So I guess I'm stuck now...

I want a good performing tyre, but at the same time something that will last for a while as I don't do trackwork (the R888s are tempting but if I can only get 10,000k's out of them then it is just too costly in the long term)

Also, is 195/60 R14 too big for a 14\"x6.5\" ? if not then I may go the RT615s as the S-Drives don't cater for 14\"ers

Any other suggestions guys?

[Steampunk]

Strange why Bridgestone would take themselves out of the market with not making any \"sporty\" 14\"s. My GIII's came with the wheels I bought

Raymo .... are you sure you want RT615's or similar?

The reason why I started this thread was because I will be doing numerous track days p.a., with relatively low road mileage (<7,000km), with the main aim being improving lap-times at the expense of tyre longevity.

If you are not doing any track-work whatsoever, then from what the others have written, R888, RT615 etc. would not be the most suited just for road-use.
Yes, these tyres provide massive grip, but they have to be warmed up in order to achieve their potential, whilst GIII's and similar do not. Not to mention wet-weather suitability.

[RaYmO]

I just saw this in another older thread:

Kevin,

The Adrenalin is only in lower than 60 series, currently. However a 185/60R14 will be later in the plan dec or Jan . 195/60R14 is available in Grid 2 (previous pattern to G3) made in Aus, and in the Wide oval.

SO there are still some performance tyres available.
Phil Burnard,
Technical Field Service Manager, NSW.
BRIDGESTONE AUSTRALIA LTD
148 Silverwater Road, Silverwater NSW, 2128
Ph: (02) 8756 4500 (I.D.D. 61-2-8756 4500)
Fax (02) 8756 4540
E-mail: pburnard@bridgestone.com.au

w00t
good news for 14s

[Kvision]

From: ^^ [mailto:kvision@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, 3 January 2008 7:33 PM
To: Philip Burnard
Subject: Re: BSAL web enquiry - Tyres NSW / ACT

Hi Phillip,

Just wondering if the Adrenalin is still being planned for 185/60/R14 in the near future?

Cheers,
Kevin


From Philip Burnard <PBurnard@bridgestone.com.au>
to ^^ <kvision@gmail.com>,
date Jan 4, 2008 9:51 AM
subject RE: BSAL web enquiry - Tyres NSW / ACT



I have spoken to product planning and they tell me that Adrenalin 185/60R14 size wont be made till august now. We have ordered the G3 to fill the gap - these are coming from Japan, due in February, and we have some in Victoria currently.

[Kvision]

From: ^^ [mailto:kvision@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, 3 January 2008 7:33 PM
To: Philip Burnard
Subject: Re: BSAL web enquiry - Tyres NSW / ACT

Hi Phillip,

Just wondering if the Adrenalin is still being planned for 185/60/R14 in the near future?

Cheers,
Kevin


From Philip Burnard <PBurnard@bridgestone.com.au>
to ^^ <kvision@gmail.com>,
date Jan 4, 2008 9:51 AM
subject RE: BSAL web enquiry - Tyres NSW / ACT



I have spoken to product planning and they tell me that Adrenalin 185/60R14 size wont be made till august now. We have ordered the G3 to fill the gap - these are coming from Japan, due in February, and we have some in Victoria currently.

to Philip Burnard <PBurnard@bridgestone.com.au>
date Jun 2, 2008 8:52 PM
subject Re: BSAL web enquiry - Tyres NSW / ACT
mailed-by gmail.com
Hi Phillip,

With August just a couple of months away, I was just wondering if the 185/60/R14 Adrenalins are still on schedule to be available in Australia during August.

Thanks
Kevin


Philip Burnard <PBurnard@bridgestone.com.au>
3:38 pm
to ^^ <kvision@gmail.com>
date Jun 5, 2008 3:38 PM
subject RE: BSAL web enquiry - Tyres NSW / ACT

The start of production for 185/60r14 Adrenalin is early July, being made here, we should get stock by late July /early Aug