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I would advise you do a little more than just drive them to the event site if you want them good out of the box.  You might consider finding an empty lot and do some skid pad runs in both directions.  Additionally, if you have time I would do the skid pad runs then rotate the tires front to back and do the skid pad runs again to make sure they are wore in evenly.  I would then drive them to the event.  I doubt this will have tem completely smooth, but they will be better than just normal driving to wear them in. 

turbohappy:

Gimp:

The event where I'm going to be using these first is about 160 miles from my house. Traditionally, I would just drive on the full treads to the event to remove the mold-release. Would you say this is too far for the shaved tires and I'm best off just letting the course do the work for me? It's a two day event, with 10-12 runs over the entire weekend (on a nice and grippy airport surface).

Depends on the car. My car doesn't wear tires evenly at all on the street so it isn't too helpful for me. If your tires wear evenly on the street, that would be fine. 

Mine does not wear evenly in the front with all the negative camber... so that may be out... 

 

Crosser1:

I would advise you do a little more than just drive them to the event site if you want them good out of the box.  You might consider finding an empty lot and do some skid pad runs in both directions.  Additionally, if you have time I would do the skid pad runs then rotate the tires front to back and do the skid pad runs again to make sure they are wore in evenly.  I would then drive them to the event.  I doubt this will have tem completely smooth, but they will be better than just normal driving to wear them in. 

 I like it, but with my work schedule I doubt I'd have time to take things that far.  Looks like I'll just beat them up at the event, and flip front to rear on day 2. 

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Paul Przyborski

Currently running a 1996 BMW 318ti in STS.
Also now building a CP 1981 Camaro.

http://www.mewhiney.org
http://www.teamziptie.com

gtitronic:

I just ran the 215/40-17 Z1's (pre-StarSpec) in STS yesterday for the first time on my 94 Integra GSR. I was VERY impressed with the grip of these tires. Even on my first run the rears heated up just fine (around 60' ambient temps, sunny, very windy). I ended up with about 35psi on all corners. Tires are mounted on 17x7.5 Rota Subzeros et45 (lightest of the non-ultra expensive 17x7.5 options at 16.4lbs)

in-car video (wind-noise, sorry) http://youtube.com/watch?v=hzVKarrfUng

I have a few more photos of my car on course and the front tires after 4 runs: http://apexracinggroup.com/eventmedia/20080420dicks.html

Results-wise, I placed 2nd behind a 90 Civic Si and scored 938points first time driving the car with this suspension and tire setup- my previous best STS finish in an 89 Si on Falkens I drove half a dozen times was 954 points a couple years ago.

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-Kelly
Rocky Mountain Region Solo / Time Trials - 94 Integra SM.
Apex RacingGroup.com

some "hard data" concerning width

I recently mounted up the Direzza Star Spec
225/45/17 on a 7.5" wheel (STS Subaru)

-vs-

the Yokahama Neova, 225/45/17 on the same wheel (BBS)

 the Dunlop was about an 1/8" wider

 that's all I have for now... racing this weekend, more later

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NWR#56STS

FWIW, this past weekend, with temps in the lower 50's (maybe even down into the 40's with the horrible wind chill factor???), vwawd and his co-driver, as well as myself in STX did quite well with our unshaved Z1's. They are totally fantastic! And even though I had to wait a very long time between runs so the tires never heated up at all, they still stuck like glue and were very impressive! Can't say much about the wear, as I can't tell where they WERE wearing from the course, because the sides of the fronts got a bit chewed up from when I tracked in at MSR some weeks back. But they felt so very good out on the course! As I learned both the car (new setup) and the tires, I was able to shave a touch over 4 seconds from my first run by my last run. As luck would have it though, we did not (THANKFULLY!!!) have the chance to test how well they would have done in the rain, because by the time it was our turn, the course dried up real nice. But the poor STU guys in the morning, were having a heck of a time. Some spots there were even standing deep puddles they had to drive through. But if the STU guys felt at least their last runs were on dry enough pavement, then you can say that STX beat them for once. But also within STU, Paul Magyar's STi with the Z1's beat Henry Lin's STi on RE01R's by about 1.1 seconds.

Now for the Tour this weekend!!!!!!!! :)

Gimp:

turbohappy:

Gimp:

The event where I'm going to be using these first is about 160 miles from my house. Traditionally, I would just drive on the full treads to the event to remove the mold-release. Would you say this is too far for the shaved tires and I'm best off just letting the course do the work for me? It's a two day event, with 10-12 runs over the entire weekend (on a nice and grippy airport surface).

... If your tires wear evenly on the street, that would be fine. 

Mine does not wear evenly in the front with all the negative camber... so that may be out... 

SS RX7 R2:

Gimp:

turbohappy:

Gimp:

The event where I'm going to be using these first is about 160 miles from my house. Traditionally, I would just drive on the full treads to the event to remove the mold-release. Would you say this is too far for the shaved tires and I'm best off just letting the course do the work for me? It's a two day event, with 10-12 runs over the entire weekend (on a nice and grippy airport surface).

... If your tires wear evenly on the street, that would be fine. 

Mine does not wear evenly in the front with all the negative camber... so that may be out... 

So how did it go? I had a 318ti club sport.

Neg camber shouldn't cause excessive street wear, it's probably due to an aggressive toe setting. 

Did either of you guys notice anything as far as poorer braking?  I felt like cornering was great and acceleration is a non-issue driving a 318i, but I did feel like I could out brake the tires somewhat easily.  I THINK it might actually be a different issue on my car where one wheel was biased wrong and then the ABS would come on, but any similar thoughts or feelings ont he Direzza's?  I do still believe they are a GREAT tire and I have been very very happy with them.

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Steve Nackers

R Street index HS. #723R
'98 BMW 318i
www.nsnmotorsports.com

Ok, so some interesting information here on the Z1.....

If you take a look at the DOT stamping on the sidewall you will notice that the 2 letters after the DOT are V4. This 2 digit code stands for the manufacturer of the tire. Oddly enough, this is the same code that is present on the Falken Alenis 615. It traces back to the Japanese manufacturer ad the exact same address, which is listed below. This means both tires are produced in the same exact factory.

Ohtsu Tire and Rubber
3 Tohoku-Cho, Miyakaonojo City, Miyazaki, Prefecture, Japan, 885

According to the Goodyear rep they have no connection with Ohtsu, so who knows. Does anyone else have the same codes on their Z1's and 615's?

Interesting times these are for street tires...

Ian
 

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--CRX Addict
--Recovered Mini Addict

Does anyone have any suggestions other than TR for a supplier?  I was planning on buying a set for our T&T on the 17th, but I see that TR is out until June.

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IA Region #52 STX WRX

My RT615s were apparently made in the Ohtsu plant as well. 

In 2003 Ohtsu was absorbed by Sumitomo Rubber.  One of Sumitomo's divisions is Dunlop Falken Tyres Ltd.  So it does not surprise me that the RT615 and Z1 would be manufactured in the same plant.

Also, Goodyear may not have any connection with the Ohtsu plant, but Goodyear Japan is also a division of Sumitomo Rubber.

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Paul Greif
927 STS
2006 Hyundai Elantra GT
(2,800 lb. nose-heavy pig)
http://www.elantraclub.com
http://www.scca-milwaukee.org/

Yesterday was the second event on these tires, but the first event where we got the pressures right. These tires seem to work very well. I have not had time to dig into the datalogging from this weekend to that of two weeks ago on the same sight with RE-01R's. Hopefully I will get some time to do that this week.

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00' 328Ci
01' Tahoe LT
98' Camaro Z28 - dead
95' 325is - STX 182

these tires were DOMINANT this weekend at Minnesota's first 2 big events of the year.  Many teams that visited nat's last year tried both neovas and dunlops and said the dunlops were far superior.  Teams to note were the Washburn/Deutsch pair in STU and the Tovsen/Wrolson 2007 STX runner-up 3 series.  It took me until the 2nd day to get my tire pressures right but I ended up at 39/38 on a BS street tire E36 M3.  I have 245/40/17 Z1 * spec all around.

One note, we did not get back to back testing done.  We broke the car before we could do this.  :) 

Also newly shaved Yoks, in my experience anyway, totally suck the first event.  They get better after, but I've done this with three different sets, and they've felt like greasy crap the first day.  These were not terrible, but definately not the best either.  We were just trying to scrub them in before doing real testing in Milwaukee.  My early take is the Z1's are competitive without a doubt.  When it comes to shaking that last couple tenths............we'll see.

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Patrick Washburn
STU Evo
www.winghats.com

I'm no where near a top-tier driver or do I have a top-tier car, but I'll add in what I know so far...

This weekend was my first weekend on the tires.  225/50R16 shaved to 5/32.  I did not break them in on the street.  Just arrived, bolted them on, and went.  I have between -2.5 and -3.0 camber up front.  My pressures **seemed** okay at 36 front, 33 rear.  That seems low compared to others out there.  I did not have pyrometer, so I couldn't get any good measurements, but the fronts and rears seemed to be rolling over to where they are supposed to.

**SIDE NOTE - does anyone have any suggestions for pressures?  Am I way off?** 

These tires felt GREAT. I was on a RT-615s before, but these are so much better.

I'm still waiting on the PAX results to get posted (my class was not strong this time around... I won both days, but PAX will be a better indicator).  I was about 5-6 seconds off FTD.  I'll post those up with my maxqdata logs later when I have them. 

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Paul Przyborski

Currently running a 1996 BMW 318ti in STS.
Also now building a CP 1981 Camaro.

http://www.mewhiney.org
http://www.teamziptie.com

Paul: Off topic: tell Steve to get on fixing his car ;)

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Andrew
STS2 114 - 1992 Miata

I seem to have a contrarian gift - at this point I'm running the 195/55-15 Star Spec tires.

The seasoned players weighing in on the "Toyo > Bridgestone?" thread debate the merits as if the Dunlop didn't exist...perhaps because of sizing?

For me the Dunlops are damned encouraging.

They have more grip at 44 deg and wet pavement than anything I've ever run (over a g no worries).  20% more than the Kooks.

They have 5-10 % more grip at 70 deg (100 deg tire temp) than last years RS2, despite being a half inch narrower at the contact patch.

They brake significantly better - over 15% improvement from last year.

The bottom line is that last year I was not on the same second as the fast Civics up here in NER land.  Those talented lads ran Bridgestone last year, and again this year, and the equipment is from Mr. Kim's little stable, which means well set up I reckon.  This year I am on the same second - and I will blame the tires without hesitation.

Last year I was contrarian and risked a wider tire - and regrettted it.

This year I'm contrarian again and risked a narrower tire - and I think it may have been a wise choice.

I've seen no comparative measurement so far this year regarding the Dunlops - Andy's review was Toyo/Bridgestone and therefore sheds no light over here.

Anyone planning on going apples to apples between the ST* sized dunlops and the bridgestones?

cheers,

Charlie

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Charlie Thompson
'04 JCW Cooper [STX]
NER Cannon Fodder

Aaron B:

Does anyone have any suggestions other than TR for a supplier?  I was planning on buying a set for our T&T on the 17th, but I see that TR is out until June.

Discount Tire Direct. I have always worked with Matt Johnson - great customer service! 

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John W: 2003 WRX: STX, 1998 M3
Washington, DC Region

cmt52663:

The seasoned players weighing in on the "Toyo > Bridgestone?" thread debate the merits as if the Dunlop didn't exist...perhaps because of sizing?

i think that's the reason.  195/55/15 is not a good size for the popular STS/2 cars like the Civics, CRXs, and Miatas.  i'll be interested in seeing how a shorter Dunop does, as well as the 225 Toyo.

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Mike - #44 STS2
'91 Miata - racer
'07 CX-7 - dog taxi
www.phillyscca.com
www.GreyhoundAngelsAdoption.com

Butt Dyno:

Aaron B:

Does anyone have any suggestions other than TR for a supplier?  I was planning on buying a set for our T&T on the 17th, but I see that TR is out until June.

Discount Tire Direct. I have always worked with Matt Johnson - great customer service! 

 Thanks but a little late.  I had been trying to find a set of 235/40's with no luck anywhere, ended up ordering a set of 245/40's from TR.  Steamroller width and was surprised to see the overall diameter VERY close to the 235's I'd been running. Obviously the full tread set was taller than the shaved and worn out Hankooks I had been running, but if I would have got them shaved it would be very close.

After last weekends TnT and event, I LOVE THESE TIRES!  Found that the overall setup was pretty much dead on already with what I was using for Hankooks, just a little higher tire pressure needed.  On Sundays event I ended up PAXing first, which I haven't done since I drove an EM car on fresh slicks just before Nationals last fall.  Results were me then 4 D/E mod cars, which usually dominate at our regular site, it's hard to compete with slicks on grippy concrete.  Outside of the PAX, in raw times, set the fastest time for a non D/E mod car, even over several cars running R compounds in FS, BS, SS, and SM.

Love 'em, love 'em, love 'em.

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IA Region #52 STX WRX