I'm looking to get into Auto-Xing with the new year. I'd like to stay in A Stock class (if I've read things right, that's where I'll be) with an '05 STi. Does anyone out there have a good tire recommendation? I'm not overly concerned about budgeting here, as I assume that these would last for at least a full season (hopefully more). From the SCCA rulebook: 13.3 TIRES Any tire which is OE on a car eligible for Stock Category may be used. Non-OE tires must meet the following requirements to be eligible for use in Stock category: A. The tire must not appear on the following list, which may be altered at any time by the SEB upon notification of membership. No tire models are currently listed. B. No tire models will be approved for competition during the rest of the year after April 30 of each calendar year. Each eligible tire model must meet all requirements of Section 13.3 by April 30, and must continue to meet them thereafter. A tire model will normally be determined by the designation in the Tire Guide. However, any of the following changes or similar changes (as determined by the SEB) will also be considered to represent a new model for eligibility purposes, even if the designation does not change: change of tread pattern at either full or partial tread depth; characterization by the manufacturer or distributor of a tire as “new” after April 30. A tire model which was previously allowed by these rules continues to be legal until specifically disallowed. This follows years of precedence on eligibility for discontinued tire models. If a manufacturer reintroduces a tire model which was previously discontinued, that tire will be considered a new model. Therefore, it will have to meet the rules specified in SIIR Section 13.3 including the April 30 introduction date. C. The model of tire must be listed in a current or previous two years of the Tire Guide and Tread Design Guide, or otherwise be approved by the SEB. The tire model must have Department of Transportation approval. D. Within each tire model, the sizes which are available must be equally available to all competitors. Tire model variations differing from standard specification, delivered only on a limited basis, or only to selected competitors, may not be used. E. No racing tire or recap (on any casing) may be used. F. Each tire model must be sold in at least four rim diameters, with a total of at least six sizes. G. Tire must fit the allowable wheels and fender wells without modification. H. Each tire must have non-zero measurable tread depth (i.e., points where it is possible to obtain positive measurement values) as described in Section 3.3.D . Tires may not have cord visible at any time during competition Me again: Seeing that, would it be a bad idea to use whatever tires for auto-x as my daily drivers? ...or should I buy a spare set of wheels to use for auto-x purposes? Am I wrong in thinking that a performance alignment would not be wise for use as a daily driver, too?
i know M-chan is using victoracers in A-stock... they grip extremely well but are HORRIBLE in rain... i wouldnt recommend using them on a daily basis i used to have a separate set of wheels with victoracers last year... but next season im considering running good tires on a daily basis and use the same ones for autoX... i know some people using the falken azenis daily and for autoX... im considering either those or the RA1s
Definately check out the Falkens, they get my vote. STi related tires need to have a stiff sidewall in order to maximize the feeling sti drivers are used to (re070s are stiff as #!@^%). Ive heard many a good thing about Yokohamas as well.
Best tires for an 05 STi in AS are 275/40-17 Kumho V710s, which can be used on the required 17x8 rim. We are planning on running these on 17x8 rotas, which have a 48mm offset. The bbs wheels have a 53mm offset, and if you decide to stick with there wheels, they will require a 5mm spacer for the rear to run these without rubbing issues. Here is a picture of a guy (Rankink from IWSTI) who ran them this year, running on flat black Rota Slipstreams: I am getting Mere the same wheels, and we will paint them pink like her BBS wheels Here is a picture of her pink bbs wheels with 255/40-17 Victoracers: -- Brian
another pic of the v710 275/40-17 on 17x8 rota wheels: He took first place in A-stock with them last weekend at an event in Florida: http://autox.carlc.com/results/12-18-05/er051218_fin.htm -- Brian