Race tires in STX?

[erok]

Since STR is no more, are race tires like Hoosiers allowed in STX? And if not, what class would I be in if I was in STS, and bought race tires?

Thanks.

[scapamouche]

NO! NO!! NO!! Alas..... I really wanted to run on race rubber this year, but DSP is no fun....
Stx is a street tire class. Same rules as STS for tires.

If you got race tires you would go to DSP (GT-S0 or ESP (GT?)
I think that's right for the GT.

[erok]

So the Ecsta V700 and Falken Azenis seem to be the STX tires of choice. What about Goodrich KD's? I can't remember if that's the right name. They're supposed to be good right?

I JUST ordered a set of Victoracers! Fortunately it's not too late to change the order. Ignorance is not bliss!

[nxracer]

Originally posted by scapamouche
If you got race tires you would go to DSP (GT-S0 or ESP (GT?)
I think that's right for the GT.

Both the GT and GT-S go to DSP

[NoCones]

Ecsta V700 is an R tire...treadwear of 50 or so.

I think Ecsta 712 is what you'd be looking for in STS/STX

[erok]

How bad would I get my butt kicked in DSP?

The most significant performance mods on my car would be the Victoracers, TRD Sportivo suspension and AEM Cold Air Intake/TRD Exhaust. I'm not a bad driver, but definitely have a lot to learn.

Maybe I'll just run for time only this year.

Edit: Scapamouche, how's do the Kosei's fit? Any problems? How bad does the fender gap look? Discount tire is sold out of the Falkens according to their web site.

[MaddMatt]

Kumho should be releasing the ECSTA MX to compete with the Azenis. That might be a good STS tire battle.

[erok]

I could swear I just read on some scca web page that the new Ecsta V700 was legal for stock classes. Now I can't find the link.

[Unity112]

But if you read it again, you'll find that R rubbers are Stock legal. And in DSP, just expect to get your ass handed to you without some substantial modification.

[nxracer]

Originally posted by erok
I could swear I just read on some scca web page that the new Ecsta V700 was legal for stock classes. Now I can't find the link.

Yes they are BUT STS and STX are not stock classes. They were created so people who have modified their cars in excess of stock yet can't afford (yea right) "R" rubber have a place to play.

"R" compound tires will probably not ever (never say never) be allowed in STS or STX. Just too close to Street Prepared.

[pitcrew]

erok, If you're still learning, it really doesn't matter what class you're in while building seat time. The only times you should be worrying about are your own to see if you're improving. Run your V's in SP until they're dead, then decide if you should replace them with street tires for ST or more race rubber for SP. ST is turning into a much more highly contested class than SP, and you'll prolly get your butt handed to ya by a decent WRX driver.

[scapamouche]

The kosei's fit great, but there is a lot more gap since the have a smaller diameter overall with the 205 tires. When I get them on the car again, I'll take some digicam pics and post them- showing stock rubber and the Koseis for comparison purposes. BTW, I have a 2" drop on my car to begin with, so the stock wheels fill the fenders really well. If you're still at stock ride height, the Kosei's will have even more gap.

As for the Ecsta 712s that NoCones mentioned, those are my daily drivers now. They're OK for Autox but by no means good.

[erok]

My car is about .75 or 1" lower than stock. It'll probably look pretty funny with a three inch gap. Kinda like stock again huh?!

Thanks for the info guys; I basically agree with pitcrew on this one. I'll just run in DSP and have a bigger challenge. I remember from last time the typical fast run in each class was in the 57 to 63 sec range. Anything in the 60's was ok. The very fastest run by a race only Camaro in the dry was like 50.xxx secs. I ran a 70.5xx in the rain and know I could have cut at least 5-6 seconds off with better driving on my Ecsta 712's. Hell there was a stock Focus driver that turned in consistant 63.xxx sec runs in the rain so it should be possible. Plus the Victoracers will be more fun on road course days.

For now, I'm in it mostly to learn and improve times. But as I realized while freezing my butt off in the rain last week, the goal should be to become competative as well.

I have a feeling that with R compound tires allowed in stock classes, there will be a lot of stock drivers running faster times than STS/X drivers.

Why would the SCCA think the typical stock class driver can afford the race tires when they think the STS/X guys can't? Maybe they figure the STS/X drivers want to see a competition based on how their mods stack up without the influence of race tires throwing times off. Or maybe it was because almost no one ran in STR last year?

[nxracer]

erok: Yes most "stock" cars are in fact faster than STS. STS will probably beat HS but GS and STS is almost a wash (that's why the index number is so close). A Lot of how STS does depends on weather conditions. I have noticed that STS does very well on those cold days or in the rain.

The STS/X Tire rule and why we allow "R" tires in stock?

Let the Tire wars begin! As the STS/X drivers are finding out (or will be soon) tires are a very tough thing to police, thats why there is no rule in stock. Remember the 140 rating means absolutely nothing! It is placed on the tire by the manufacture and is not backed up by any government standards. That means if Kumho wanted to they could mold up some MX's (the newest "built for STS" tire) with the V700 compound and dominate the class. Will it happen ? is it already happening ? That Falken is no 200 wear rated tire and nobody has even seen a Kumho MX.

Also STS/X and Street Prepared cars are very close suspension wise so if the club was to allow "R" tires in STS/X I feel the classes would have to go away. I idea of STS is you could drive your race tires to the event, race and go home. Last time I saw STS driver "Jack Burns" he had Pilots on the car, plus a set of Bridgestone S-03's and Falkens on his trailer. Jack is always looking for that little advantage.

[erok]

Thanks nx for the clarifiction. I think I'll be happy in DSP. I've got to get a rule book. STS/X is a popular class in LA which translates into long lines between runs. I've always wondered what race tires would be like and now I'll see.

How do you guys think this set up will do on a road course?

[pitcrew]

IMHO, A good agressive alignment is all you'd need with what you've got.
AND... a all the quality seat time/instruction you can get if you want to be competitive. (we run in ~ 40 events + all the schools and test n tunes we can find a season!) Take the Evolution AX schools ( www.autocross.com/evolution/ ) if at all possible. each phase will cut 6mo- a year off your learning curve. Best money you can spend!