Article request: 200tw tires on track

For years, there were only really two decent tires for those needing 200TW for Lemons or Chump, the Azenis and the Star Spec. Now, there are suddenly a bunch of tires that are now 200TW. What is fastest? What holds up? What gets greasy when getting too hot? This would be great info for all of the crapcan racers, and now that the new SCCA "street" class will be at 200TW after a year, this is valuable info.

How about another of the fantastic GRM tire tests of the current crop of 200TW tires, for track use. Using two different cars, one heavy like a Crown Vic, and one light like a Civic or Miata, would give lots of great data!

The current potential field: 1. Dunlop Direzza ZII (new)
2. BFG Rival (new)
3. Bridgestone Potenza RE-11A (just updated from RE-11, now 200TW)
4. Hankook RS3 (just updated, now 200TW, but limited smaller sizes)
5. Falken Azenis RT615k (not updated, but good comparison point)
6. Primewell PZ900. Dark horse choice: These are a budget choice that some teams swear by...how much slower are they than the top performers?
7. Michelin Pilot Supersports: Another outside contender, only available in larger sizes, but I know lots of people with newer fast cars like these for track day tires.

Thanks for listening

Where's the article that Andy Hollis did on the Z2's vs the Dunlops? I know I read it and I thought it was affiliated with GRM in some way.
Edit: Found it, it's on Andy's Facebook page. Worth reading.

I would throw in the Federal 595 Evo as another unknown. We were very pleased with ours at the last 14 Chump race at Sebring.

Sourced locally for $73 each picked up makes them very appealing.

I think I remember seeing this article on the proofing wall a few days ago, actually. :D

I plan to try the 595-R on my Neon.

And, because of this thread i went and looked at the Primewells and was somewhat shocked how generally positive the reviews were, from LeMons racers no less! Add to that that they are apparently pretty close to the cheapest option in pretty much ALL the tire sizes i run on all my cars, and you can color me VERY intrigued!

http://forums.24hoursoflemons.com/viewtopic.php?id=12419

Yeah, there's a tire test in the upcoming issue--more aimed at the Street Touring autocrossers--plus another in the works. And maybe another after that, too.

Basically, the Rival does reset the field, although there's another darkhorse on the horizon. Of course you didn't hear that from me.

We ran the Primewell's in an 18 hour enduro a few weeks ago. I would say they stuck really well both in the dry and the wet. We posted the third fastest lap of the weekend behind a couple of BMW's with Dunlops. But they were pretty chewed up at the end. My experience with Falkens is that they wear very evenly which is more important to me than a tenth of a tenth in lap times because I am not rich. But then again the Primewells were cheeep. I bought 7 for the price of 4 Dunlops.

Of course they didn't stick that well in the grass there....

The Primewell website sucks . . .

Any leads on finding pricing info. I've heard really good things, too.

Damn and only one of those is in 14" size.

I want to run the Federal 595rs-r so bad... but GARBAGE SIZES.

The Primewell is interesting... it's available in my magic 245/45-16 size and is about 40% the price of the only other options.

In reply to Swank Force One:

Must check these out. That's the size I've been looking for!!

EDIT:

Wow they are cheap for 245/45R16 . . .

I've run the Federal 595rs-r on a Miata a few years back in the UK. Local track tire place suggested them as a replacement for the always-out-of-stock Hankooks (I think those were RS2s back then). With my limited ability they felt fine and they stood up pretty well to the R888s (trackday tire of choice in the UK) that I used later on.

I'm seriously considering putting the BFG Rivals on the Miata, partically because Tire Rack carries them and their Western warehouse is 1/2h from here...

You guys have me intrigued about the Primewells now. $60 a pop in my size. I wonder if I'd just be wasting my money though.

I'm gonna give them a shot on the Volvo. For less than 3 bills purchased and mounted isn't bad.

In Canada, a PZ900 in 265/35/18 is $130. Not bad at all . . .

I hope the federal is good. I got 4 of them yesterday. The same size as the legends racers use. Got them for $95 a piece!

And they have GREAT sizes. Not much else available for my 13" "anti dubs"

Which Federals did you get? I'm thinking about running 595RSRs or SS595 on my AutoX car. Cheap is the name game

Holy sweetness there is a Federal available in 13"!!!

I got the 205 60 r13 595

Im kinda excited for my 86 crx because theres a regular 595 in 185/55/14. Should work well on that car.

icaneat50eggs wrote: I got the 205 60 r13 595

Where did you get them from? My google-fu is napping today . . .

EDIT: Found one in Charlotte, NC

I can't wait for the article, I'm itching to get some sticky tires for my car.

Interesting, I went with Pilot SuperSports because I wanted a bit more wet weather traction for my everyday tire than most extreme performance tires will give. I was surprised how well they've gripped considering my "compromise"

I'll be interested to see how it stacks up, and how the Revals do. I'm allowed a very generous discount on Michelins and BFG's through work once a year.

I dont think top-line michelins are a 'compromise' for a street tire. IMO they are THE top of the heap of true street tires that are expected to function well in ALL conditions.