MOWOG1... which tires, which tires..

[engifineer]

Heh.. so we will most likely be looking at 40 degree temps and rain at the beginning of the day on Sat, with a bit over 50 and maybe rain in the afternoon. Just wondering what people are leaning towards on their tires, especially those with Azenis. I have the Ziex 912's on the car right now as those are my daily drivers, but had planned on putting my other wheels and 615's on the car for the event. However, with colder temps in the morning coupled with rain, I am wondering if I even want to run the Azenis. So those that do run Azenis (this is my first season on them)... what are you planning? Rain isnt the deciding factor for me.. it is just the colder temps coupled with the rain.

[Teddy.B]

run the azenis

[stoooo]

My Azenis will be on the car tomorrow, and they'll stay that way for M1/2. They're not actually bad in the wet as long as you aren't driving through standing water. Admittedly, that has been an issue at Valley Fair before, but the course designers tend to be able to give those areas a wide berth.

Stuart.

[engifineer]

I will probably bolt em on tomorrow... like I said, I am not overly concerned with the water.. just hope they can get warm enough. But the afternoon runs will hopefully make up for it either way :D Thanks for the input!

[EWAustin]

My pit crew will be attaching my Azenis to the car I will be driving (can't call it my car) tonight. :evil:

[SmokingTires]

DOT R-Compounds!

[dman]

Yeah, I was thinking about that too. But my choice is harder :)
tHS on Azenis or tFSP on Hankook RS2 (on non stock-sized rim) + time to swap.
Since I'm lazy and Azenis is on the car already I think I'll just take it real easy in the morning, since it will be the first time with this car anyway.

[dman]

My pit crew will be attaching my Azenis to the car I will be driving (can't call it my car) tonight. :evil:
So what will you be driving? :)

[Andrew]

Hey who ever said it's going to rain?

Don't make me put on my focus face again!

[EWAustin]

So what will you be driving? :)
Daddy's Golf
:p

pit crew is my brother. he's been DDing my Dad's car with my snow tires, so he can switch to my Azenis. :D

[89yotarollagts]

i will be running azenis lol because thats all i have for "Play" tires ;)

[Jrod13]

i will be running azenis lol because thats all i have for "Play" tires ;)

I am in the same boat as you. Plus I got to showcase the new bronze wheels with 615's.

[chuck b]

Heh.. so we will most likely be looking at 40 degree temps and rain at the beginning of the day on Sat Just wondering what people are leaning towards on their tires, especially those with Azenis. I have the Ziex 912's on the car right now as those are my daily drivers, but had planned on putting my other wheels and 615's on the car for the event. However, with colder temps in the morning it is just the colder temps .

Another factor in your decision is wear; if you were to use your daily driver Ziex's, they will wear down quickly, they are so soft.
I doubt if anyone has done a side by side comparison at 45 degrees for your 2 tires, so what you're hearing is opinion based on no empirical data. (bring 'em both and do your own side-by-side!) so here's another opinion; i doubt there will be much difference between the two even if the feel is totally different. unfortunately for you, that's often the margin of winning! the azzenis will be quite slickery on the first few corners, whereas the ziex's should be better right outta the chute.
if you have a wider azeni or lower profile, that also could be a factor- then go with the azeni.
if you recall, i ran the ziex's all season last year and they worked surprisingly well.

out
p.s. i think others ponder this too; R tires, R rain tires, azenis, hell- why not shaved snow tires!!!

[washburn]

Don't forget tire construction. Probably plays a bigger role than compound when your talking about "competition" tire against your average "street" tires. I'd rather run a slightly slick competition carcass than a squishy tire.

[SaturnRaycer]

There are a lot worse "summer" tires than your Azenis when the temps are in the 40's. I'd go with the Azenis and save the Ziex's. Your grip should improve as the course dries, warms up, and gets some rubber laid in the lines.

[marks_lude]

What is the drainage of the lot like? I've never autoX'ed around here before since I'm new, so I'm not familiar with the lot and how it will be with the light rain on saturday.

My only real option is to use my R compound Avon Tech R's (I'm on borrowed DD tires right now so running them is not an option). If the lot is a pool, or if its a downpour, Id probably opt to sell my spot that day if I can and just hang out want watch/take pictures. The last thing I want to do is hydroplane and do something dangerous.

[EWAustin]

The lot is at an angle (5 degree slope?), sometimes there are pools on the downhill edge, but the course designers work around them. I really wouldn't worry about it.

[phile]

The lot is at an angle (5 degree slope?), sometimes there are pools on the downhill edge,
Pools, hell! That was actually the Minnesota River. That won't happen this weekend, as the river is not in flood this season.

As I recall, this lot does not have any ponding areas. The whole thing sheet-drains north towards the river.

[JRTritsch]

Last year - in the rain. It was not a downpour but the rain was falling pretty good and the lot never looked "flooded".

[EWAustin]

oh man, last year was a blast :D

Nothing like watching the entire course move 15 feet north all at once...

[JCN]

What is the drainage of the lot like? I've never autoX'ed around here before since I'm new, so I'm not familiar with the lot and how it will be with the light rain on saturday.

My only real option is to use my R compound Avon Tech R's (I'm on borrowed DD tires right now so running them is not an option).

Although if those are my tires you're talking about, it'd almost be worth it to see that. When we took those tires to Altoona, the waiver-clipboard guy was like: :?

(We swapped out for S02s that day).

[marks_lude]

Although if those are my tires you're talking about, it'd almost be worth it to see that. When we took those tires to Altoona, the waiver-clipboard guy was like: :?

(We swapped out for S02s that day).

At an event in my old region we had an M3 show up on 4 blizzaks and did surprisingly well. It was the first event, and very cold out and I think everyone elses tires were hard as rock. They were quite loud tho!

[murph]

I am debating as well.

My street tires have stiff autocross-type sidewalls, (Kumho MX's) and at that temp the R-Compounds might not be too sticky, but they might still be stickier than the MX's...

I think I am going to use the R-comps anyway, I think the softer compound (even when cold) will groove into the cheese grater surface of VF better than the MX's.

[EWAustin]

I think I am going to use the R-comps anyway, I think the softer compound (even when cold) will groove into the cheese grater surface of VF better than the MX's.

I thought I heard someone say that VF was repaved since the last time we were there.


(EDIT: This might be way off...)

[AliensRgr8]

Wasn't the parking lot at Valley fair just redone last year after our autocross?

**Edit**
EWaustin you beat me to it.

[engifineer]

Yeah, I really dont want to destroy my Ziex's autoxing them. And honestly, after running the Avon TECH M550's last year as my daily drivers and autox tires (I know all seasons are a not so great choice on the course, but they did ok and I only had one set of wheels then).... the Ziex's dont measure up to them so far. I will definitley go back to the Avons for my next set of all seasons. The Ziex's are nice and a bit cheaper, but the rain grip and overall performance of the Avons was a good amount better IMO. And they killed the Ziex's as far as snow driving.

Good point from Pat as well. My 912's are 215/45, my 615's are 225/45. And considering that from what I can tell, the 912's run narrow (they are noticeably narrower than the Avons I had in the same size) and the 615's seem not to, there is a good difference in width, so I will definitely run the 615's regardless.

And as mentioned regarding the water question, the lot at VF drains pretty well. The only place last year I remember bad standing water was Midway in a downpour. But the VF event last year was a blast, hurricane winds and rain included :P

[EWAustin]

Wasn't the parking lot at Valley fair just redone last year after our autocross?

**Edit**
EWaustin you beat me to it.

Whooo! I'm not the only one that heard that!

anybody got a Verdict?

[murph]

I thought I heard someone say that VF was repaved since the last time we were there.

That would be sooooo awesome.

(but make my decision harder...)

[AlexL]

Whooo! I'm not the only one that heard that!

anybody got a Verdict?
I heard from Pat that it's just as bad as ever, and the course will have to follow a similar path to last year's in order to stay on the good stuff.

[EWAustin]

Suxors :(

[Rex Jr]

I heard from Pat that it's just as bad as ever, and the course will have to follow a similar path to last year's in order to stay on the good stuff.

Damn. Aside from the weather, which is always seems crappy this time of year out there, the surface has always been the Achiles Heel of VF, IMO.

As for tires, I'll be wearing my Azenis 615s as my only other option is the rock-hard Fleet-Farm tire I use for storage.

[washburn]

Yeah right! I would be in freakin' heaven if they re-paved!!!

They re-paved the small section that was tore up for last years event. Didn't amount to much. It's extremely difficult finding a course on this lot since we know that it will come up if we drive on certain parts of it. (You need to learn to "read" pavement!) The basic path of last years course will be re-used because we didn't have any issues, but the courses will be different.

[oldtoyota]

cheese grater surface of VF

VF is a tire corder's dream site.

[murph]

VF is a tire corder's dream site.

I may have Rachel bring the "new" Hoosiers just in case...

[engifineer]

Well.. the forecast is now leaning towards a 30% chance of a rain/snow mix on Sat, with a high of 50.

[dman]

Well.. the forecast is now leaning towards a 30% chance of a rain/snow mix on Sat, with a high of 50.
That thing is changing by the hour even for tomorrow. Like 1-2 hours ago it was saying "steady rain in the afternoon", and now it says "periods of light rain in the afternoon". I bet its gonna be sunny in the end :)

[JCN]

Well.. the forecast is now leaning towards a 30% chance of a rain/snow mix on Sat, with a high of 50.

What's with the freaking snow?!!!!

[marks_lude]

Forcast varies by site to. I tend to put most of my trust into weather dot gov.... dot com seems to always be all over the place.

The chance of precip is down to 30% which is good. Id gamble on a 70% favor anyday. As long as it says above 35ish, I can put my top down without crackin the rear window :p

[seannabend]

Run your auto-x tires or you will be dissapointed/regretting it if you don't. I won't be using my RT-615's but that is because I'll be using my DOT-R's :)

[engifineer]

I normally get the best results from NOAA (weather.gov)

[o2_designs]

I just put on my Azenis...hope for the best...

[WhiteMamba]

[QUOTE=engifineer;103898]Heh.. so we will most likely be looking at 40 degree temps and rain at the beginning of the day on Sat, with a bit over 50 and maybe rain in the afternoon. Just wondering what people are leaning towards on their tires, especially those with Azenis. . . . [W]ith colder temps in the morning coupled with rain, I am wondering if I even want to run the Azenis. QUOTE]

As amusing as it is to spin around in circles, I was actually hoping to put down some improved times this year. So I too have been bouncing between tires. My selection being between 1/2 worn Hoosier A6's or nearly new Michilin PS2's. With things shaping up to be a bit cooler (high 30's) at race time and a bit dryer (and windy, just like last year:rockon ) but only mid 40's in the afternoon, would anyone change their position to running slicks to high perf street rubber?

[rdub]

NO ....the R Compounds (I'll include Azenistoneovadirreza's in this group)will ALWAYS be faster.......they are softer....and heat up just about the same as squirming street rubber.
even in the damp they're faster.The only time R's are slower is in snow (on the ground) or lots of standing water(although full tread Azenistoneovadirrezas are better than 710s or Hoosier A6's in snow or standing water)
Now everyone quit worrying about tire choice

[aansorge]

NO ....the R Compounds will ALWAYS be faster.......they are softer....and heat up just about the same as squirming street rubber.
even in the damp they're faster.The only time R's are slower is in snow (on the ground) or lots of standing water.
Now everyone quit worrying about tire choice

Especially with the new R compounds...the S04 Hoosiers and G-Force R1's were horrible in any temps colder than approximately 50 degrees, but 710's and the new Hoosiers seem to be able to heat up even when its in the high 30's. They still stink on their first run, but they get better after a run or two.

[914 Dave]

My first "R" tires were the AS04 Hoosiers. My first run on them was the season opener at VF, cold and blustery, I was astounded- whats all this flap about R tires being the bomb- these slip and suck! When temps got over 50ish, they were MUCH better. The 710's on the 914 are pretty grippy right out of the start in most any weather, just better still the warmer it gets.

Hows this for a plan. Mount some R's on the front, and all seasons on the back. Then just swap front to back depending on temps/conditions to put your preferred tires on either your driving wheels, or your steering wheels, (if rwd), or to change the rotation/pendulation properties of your car if fwd.

[washburn]

[As amusing as it is to spin around in circles, I was actually hoping to put down some improved times this year.

Improved times compared to what? Your competitiors? You can still do that. I know it would be more fun in the dry, but you still need to drive better than your competition no matter what the weather. We're all in the same conditions. No matter what the setup, the tires, the weather, the whatever...it's still a great challange to get the most out of whatever you have under you.

[ITSrotary]

Especially with the new R compounds...the S04 Hoosiers and G-Force R1's were horrible in any temps colder than approximately 50 degrees, but 710's and the new Hoosiers seem to be able to heat up even when its in the high 30's. They still stink on their first run, but they get better after a run or two.

Maybe on the skinny stuff you guys use but not across the board for all tires. Try driving an R-tire with some width, particularly in the cold/wet, and you might have a different opinion...

[DaveBahl]

Ya gotta "heat them up" at the start line :D I don't know how to heat my fronts yet... 8)

Hours to wait... hummmm... what will be new... :rolleyes: I can smell the exhaust... the brakes... rubber burning... here we go again!!!!:rockon

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!!!!!! :p

[AlexL]

NO ....the R Compounds (I'll include Azenistoneovadirreza's in this group)will ALWAYS be faster.......they are softer....and heat up just about the same as squirming street rubber.
even in the damp they're faster.The only time R's are slower is in snow (on the ground) or lots of standing water(although full tread Azenistoneovadirrezas are better than 710s or Hoosier A6's in snow or standing water)
Now everyone quit worrying about tire choice
Thank you for posting what I've been meaning to all along.

The bottom line is that whatever your competition tires are, they are better than your non-competition tires unless there are some highly abnormal conditions.

Worst case, it's going to be cold and a little damp tomorrow. It's not a big deal, get over it.

[murph]

I don't know how to heat my fronts yet... 8)

BMW has a great method for this... no camber... =]

[WhiteMamba]

Improved times compared to what? Your competitiors? You can still do that. I know it would be more fun in the dry, but you still need to drive better than your competition no matter what the weather. We're all in the same conditions. No matter what the setup, the tires, the weather, the whatever...it's still a great challange to get the most out of whatever you have under you.

I'm always just trying to run a little faster than my last time (it just doesn't always work out this way). :) But if all the stars align and I clock a little better time than Alan, Wally or Evan, I wouldn't complain. They are all quick and am sure will have their best setup. I just didn't want to make a rookie mistake and leave the wrong set of tires in my garage. This would not be making the most of what I have available to put under me.

[Matt D.]

clutch burning...
Fixed it for you. I'm good at that.