200TW tire options for XU in SCCA autocross

[Rttoys]

Since it looks like a bunch of us will be switching to XU in SCCA autocross, we need a thread for 200TW tires that can be used. Hopefully we can lay out the top candidates to suit our needs. Tire size and air pressure will also be a key in this discussion, but gotta start with the tires themselves. Any first or even second hand experience with any of them will be helpful. Not gonna leave out sub 200tw or slicks for those that want to run amuck.

This is an article I came across laying out several top candidates for 200tw tires

How to maximize your 200tw tires for speed and wear

We test a lot of tires here at GRM, learning something each time we hit the track. Feel free to crib from our notes to make your tires faster.

grassrootsmotorsports.com

this is a list of tires and prices in a 245/40-17 that I compiled as I have been looking them up. Listed in no particular order.

Yokohama advan A052
245/40-17 $296

Yokohama ADVAN A052 Tires: High-Performance Grip for Track and Street

Dominate the road and track with Yokohama ADVAN A052 tires. Engineered for unparalleled grip, precise handling, and extreme performance for sports cars…

www.yokohamatire.com

Bridgestone RE-71RS- discontinued
245/40-17 $291

Potenza RE 71RS | Tires Engineered for Cornering & Braking | Bridgestone Tires

Chase your competitive spirit with the Potenza RE-71RS extreme summer performance tire from Bridgestone, designed for maximum grip and responsive handling in corners.

tires.bridgestone.com

Bridgestone RE-71RZ - rs replacement
245/40-17 $304

Potenza RE 71RZ | Tires Engineered for Cornering & Braking | Bridgestone Tires

Chase your competitive spirit with the Potenza RE-71RZ extreme summer performance tire from Bridgestone, designed for maximum grip and responsive handling in corners.

tires.bridgestone.com

Vitour tempesta P1 X-01R
245/40-17 $295

Vitour Tempesta P1 200tw Performance Tires

Redefining quick-lap performance, the Vitour Tempesta P1 X-01R (also known as Vitour X1) is a 200tw tire that takes the proven P1 platform and introduces a new faster activation compound—the result is faster grip, precision, and explosive pace. Purpose-built for drivers chasing peak performance...

vitourp1.com

Kumho ecsta v730
245/40-17 $219
255/40-17 $215

Kumho Tire USA | Your Trusted Partner for Quality Tires

Experience quality, innovation, and trust with Kumho Tire USA. Explore our full range of tires built for every road and every driver.

www.kumhotire.com

Hoosier A7
245/40-17 $445

Hoosier Sports Car D.O.T. Radial P245/40ZR17 A7 - 46716A7

hoosiertiregp.com

Nankang AR-1 (100tw)
245/40-17 $252

AR-1

Maxxis RC-1 (100tw)
235/40-17 $262
255/40-17 $274

Victra RC-1

DOT-approved R compound optimized for the weekend warrior. The RC-1 was designed to deliver outstanding dry traction, heat-cycle performance and smooth breakaway characteristics. The semi-slick design eliminates tread-squirm and delivers great braking and steering response for fast and...

shop.maxxis.com

slicks -
American racer. JBinTX has been using these for a few years. ToxicBill and I just switched to them to keep up in EM

Road Race Tires Archives - American Racer Online

Racing Tires - American Racer Tire Company – Made in USA

americanraceronline.com

 

[95Blitz]

Another good link or a list of 200's.

Grassroots Motorsports ultimate track tire guide

What you need to know before choosing your next track tire.

grassrootsmotorsports.com

I was going to try these. but went with the v730's.

Gladiator X Comp H/P 255/40ZR17 255/40R17 98W XL High Performance Summer Tire - Walmart.com

Buy Gladiator X Comp H/P 255/40ZR17 255/40R17 98W XL High Performance Summer Tire at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[Rttoys]

Another good link or a list of 200's.

Grassroots Motorsports ultimate track tire guide

What you need to know before choosing your next track tire.

grassrootsmotorsports.com

]

from that article

Vitour tempesta P1 X-01R
In comparison to its cousin, the P1 P-01R, the X1 turns on quicker, though, as we found in our testing, is less tolerant to heat buildup over time, making it better suited to autocross than the P1

Bridgestone RE-71RZ
Bridgestone’s eagerly awaited replacement for its popular RE-71RS, the RE-71RZ exhibits many of the same positive attributes of the RS, though felt somewhat livelier on track in our testing. That said, the RZ had a habit of allowing the car to turn more as the tire approached its limit, making it feel like it had more grip when, in fact, it did not.

Vitour tempesta P1 P-01R
One of the fastest 200tw tires we've ever tested, the Tempesta P1 is quick to turn on–one hard lap, in our case–and offers abundant grip, an eagerness to dive into corners with progressive breakaway and recovery. Several strong laps are available before heat soak sets in and pace slows a bit

Bridgestone RE-71RS
Our initial test of the RE-71RS found a tire that’s very quick out of the box while providing strong grip and feedback–it’s up there at the pointy end of the field. Despire multiple newcomers since that first test, the RE-71RS remains one of the faster tires in its category.

Yokohama advan A052
A popular choice among the 200tw frontrunners, the A052 is not without its caveats. The A052 offers its best performance when paired with a shallower tread depth, wider wheels and lots of camber. Additionally, it's an expensive tire that's only available in select sizes. However, the tire needs virtually no heat to activate and it's even good in the wet, so long as there’s no significant standing water to cause hydroplaning

that article is contradicted by the first one I posted here

How to maximize your 200tw tires for speed and wear

We test a lot of tires here at GRM, learning something each time we hit the track. Feel free to crib from our notes to make your tires faster.

grassrootsmotorsports.com

“For top-tier autocross use, you’re going to want a fast tire whose compound turns on quickly in your application. Typically, that means a Yokohama Advan A052 or Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS, rated A for both Pace and Warmup. With its B rating for Warmup, the Vitour Tempesta P1 may be an option for a heavier car or warmer weather; it can also be an option if you’re willing to throw away the first run.”

I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the top 3-5 on the list. I’m curious how your runs go and getting heat in the tires 95Blitz. That would help answer the differences in the articles. As always, our light cars mess up all these tests anyways.

 

[Rttoys]

Reading stuff and talking to some of my autocross buddy’s, the conclusion is; all the autocross specific 200tw tires are going to be great. Talking to a lotus7 driver, he said the Bridgestones will probably heat up the fastest, but can’t go wrong with yokes or any of the others. He did worry about the Vitour’s heating up with our light cars, like the article said, so I played it safe and somewhat logical and went with the most updated tire, the Bridgestone RE-71RZ in 255/40-17.

I went 255 because I was stuck between 245 and 255. The 275’s I have been using in the rear, just never seem to get hot unless on the track. The 245’s on the front get hot fairly easily, BUT I have always felt I needed just a little more up front. I think the 255 is a good balance, plus fit perfect on a 9.5” wheel…….and will fit perfect on the corvette when they are “done” on the goblin.

 

[Rttoys]

Santa was quick not even 30 hours and it’s delivered.
These are impressive. Look aggressive and very soft. Maybe softer than the slicks I got according to my thumbnail.

 

[Desert Sasqwatch]

These are the Vitour?

BTW, that's a handsome Rubicon in the background.

 

[Rttoys]

They are the Bridgestone Potenza RE-17RZ

yes it is. Fun to run around in too

 

[Keckster]

I personally have run 255/40R17 Yokohama A052s for the last two seasons. I find they are easy to heat up in one run and do not overheat on the street when casual driving. I'm not completely sure how many miles I've got on them but I have had to rotate my front and rears between seasons. They were decent at highway speeds in moderate rain when I got caught on a cold October evening this past year. The nationals XU winner this past year was also on yokes.

The P1 has been pushed around the scca like crazy this past year and they are definitely fast but I have had a few conversations that they are not light car friendly. However, this year with the new P1 X-01R I'm told from a few conversations with a friend (C6 corvette Vitour brand ambassador) the new version is much more light car friendly and even faster than last years. I'm told if you do go vitour make sure to get them straight from vitourp1.com due to a couple people selling them that are not distributors.

The RE-71RS was too difficult to get heat into the tire personally when I had a chance to borrow a set. using a tire temp gauge it took 2-3 runs to get up to temp but then they felt really grippy. I felt like they weren't quite as good as the yokes but they were a lot more forgiving when you went past the edge. I've recently been working with a champcar team and our faster car runs the Bridgestones and they seem to stay quick for upwards of 6-8 hours straight at VIR on a Boxster.

 

[95Blitz]

Update: the Kumho tires did well. We run on concrete so its got tons of grip. Seems like the tires warmed up quickly. The only change from street driving to track was air pressure change. 23F 25R full soft on the suspension. I need to drop the pressures down more before the next event. Anyway a video of my clean run.

 

[Rttoys]

. The only change from street driving to track was air pressure change. 23F 25R full soft on the suspension. I need to drop the pressures down more before the next event. Anyway a video of my clean run.

good smooth run
dang. That’s still high pressure. I’m a firm believer no goblin should be over 20psi street or track. Most of us goblin guys here run around 12f/15r (hot) at autocross, adjusting a little depending on outside temps.

 

[Rttoys]

I personally have run 255/40R17 Yokohama A052s for the last two seasons. I find they are easy to heat up in one run and do not overheat on the street when casual driving. I'm not completely sure how many miles I've got on them but I have had to rotate my front and rears between seasons. They were decent at highway speeds in moderate rain when I got caught on a cold October evening this past year. The nationals XU winner this past year was also on yokes.

The P1 has been pushed around the scca like crazy this past year and they are definitely fast but I have had a few conversations that they are not light car friendly. However, this year with the new P1 X-01R I'm told from a few conversations with a friend (C6 corvette Vitour brand ambassador) the new version is much more light car friendly and even faster than last years. I'm told if you do go vitour make sure to get them straight from vitourp1.com due to a couple people selling them that are not distributors.

The RE-71RS was too difficult to get heat into the tire personally when I had a chance to borrow a set. using a tire temp gauge it took 2-3 runs to get up to temp but then they felt really grippy. I felt like they weren't quite as good as the yokes but they were a lot more forgiving when you went past the edge. I've recently been working with a champcar team and our faster car runs the Bridgestones and they seem to stay quick for upwards of 6-8 hours straight at VIR on a Boxster.

i wish I had the money to test 3 or 4 sets on a light car like ours and get the info out there. I do believe like my autocross/lotus7 buddy said, any of the autocross specific tires will do well.

 

[Rttoys]

Put about 40-50 miles on the new tires to scuff them up. They feel different, that’s for sure. Definitely sticky. Now time for the track/autocross.

 

[95Blitz]

When is your next event?
Our next event is Mar 21st.

 

[Rttoys]

When is your next event?
Our next event is Mar 21st.

i signed up for SCCA pro solo in beeville tx, being held next weekend. There’s a ton of rain in the forecast though.

We lost our local place we ran, so I have no idea when we are starting up again. Normally we run year round.

 

[95Blitz]

i signed up for SCCA pro solo in beeville tx, being held next weekend. There’s a ton of rain in the forecast though.

We lost our local place we ran, so I have no idea when we are starting up again. Normally we run year round.

Got ya. I'll be waiting on the vids.

Yeah Wiregrass just got it's place back lost it May of 21.

 

[Rttoys]

Got ya. I'll be waiting on the vids.

here’s the vid from the weekend

our weekend got cut short due to very bad weather, so I only got some practice starts and 3 runs on a small autocross track on Friday, then the 2 heats on Saturday consisting of 4 hot runs each.

temps were upper 70s in the morning and low 80s in the evening, partly cloudy sky’s.

when trying to figure out what tire pressure to start at, I figure to start with the same as the r888r (12f/15r), but I noticed the weight rating his higher on the Bridgestones (1652# @50psi vs 1521# @ 50psi on the r888r). On practice day I went with 11.5f/14.5r. I did 2 hot laps and checked tp. All tires raised 1 to 1.5#. I lowered them back down and went for a 3rd run. Felt good, but needed lower pressure for sure.
Saturday morning I decided on 11f/14r. about 2 runs and the tires were performing well. I didn’t even need a burnout before start.

Saturday afternoon we had a little more heat running mid 80s. The stress from everything being new to me was gone. I was falling behind and needed to catch up. I went with my gut and ran 10f/13r. That was the ticket. the tires felt real good, rubber was balling up and now it’s just me trusting the tires than anything. Times improved, feel improved, the weather did not. Sunday brought rain and lightning, which canceled the event.

 

[95Blitz]

Looks good.

 

[Waterdriver]

Just curious, have you been chalking the tire shoulder to see how much the tire is rolling over?
With the picture from the top of the tire, it kind of looks like you may need more negative camber. More wear on that outer shoulder, especially the rear. Or maybe it's just my eyes. LOL

What's the grip difference feel like between these and r888r's? Your impression?

 

[Rttoys]

Just curious, have you been chalking the tire shoulder to see how much the tire is rolling over?
With the picture from the top of the tire, it kind of looks like you may need more negative camber. More wear on that outer shoulder, especially the rear. Or maybe it's just my eyes. LOL

What's the grip difference feel like between these and r888r's? Your impression?

Yes. Rears are gonna need more negative caster now. Fronts seem fine. Good roll all around. I’ll probably pull .2-.5 out of it and see how it does. That’ll put me around -1.3 to -1.5 again.

much better feel and traction All around. Really need some time with them to get pressures right, though.

ToxicBill and I are pretty identical all around (car, setup, tires). The last 2 years we have been trading positions in times. He won championship in ‘24 and I won in ‘25. We are about as identical as it gets. He’s going to run slicks on the next autocross and I’ll run these and see who’s faster. I’m anxious to see how that goes. Both will be running slicks at the track next month, but I may bring these tires with me for comparison. I’d like to get as much data for you guys as possible.