S2000 Forums - View Single Post - Preparations for the upcoming autocross season.

bjurasz · 05-07-2007, 08:57 AM

Ok, I just did an autocross on Sunday and I think I have a bit more feedback for you. I'm using the stock 050 tires on a bone-stock 2006 model.

The 050's did a bit better than I thought they would. The general rule about pumping up the air didn't seem to apply to the 050's. I started with 38 psi cold but got a lot of understeer in the car. I eventually dropped to 34 psi cold and got much more grip, and more importantly balance in the car. I was also able to get the tires to squeal a bit rather than just slide.

Overall I was a bit more happy with the 050's than I thought I'd be.

More things I learned. If you are running SCCA rules you can run a "Tire" class if you use DOT-legal tires of a 140 treadwear rating or higher. The scoring people will apply a handicap to your time designed to offset you against those running gumballs. Something to consider, and I will probably go this route with my next set of tires.

The tire-of-choice for competition but still street driveable seems to be the Toyo RA-1 tire. Apparantly you can get them in stock sizes for the 16" shod S2000. For the 17" cars you have to compromise on size and then I'm not sure if you are T-class legal any longer.

05-07-2007, 08:57 AM	#9 (permalink)
bjurasz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 132	Ok, I just did an autocross on Sunday and I think I have a bit more feedback for you. I'm using the stock 050 tires on a bone-stock 2006 model. The 050's did a bit better than I thought they would. The general rule about pumping up the air didn't seem to apply to the 050's. I started with 38 psi cold but got a lot of understeer in the car. I eventually dropped to 34 psi cold and got much more grip, and more importantly balance in the car. I was also able to get the tires to squeal a bit rather than just slide. Overall I was a bit more happy with the 050's than I thought I'd be. More things I learned. If you are running SCCA rules you can run a "Tire" class if you use DOT-legal tires of a 140 treadwear rating or higher. The scoring people will apply a handicap to your time designed to offset you against those running gumballs. Something to consider, and I will probably go this route with my next set of tires. The tire-of-choice for competition but still street driveable seems to be the Toyo RA-1 tire. Apparantly you can get them in stock sizes for the 16" shod S2000. For the 17" cars you have to compromise on size and then I'm not sure if you are T-class legal any longer.