Current 200tw tire to have for time attack?

I'm prepping to run time attack next season in a class that is limited to 200tw tires. I'll be running a relatively lightweight car (1988 CRX Si) with plenty of camber (I'll likely run around -3 degrees all around). I've been reading about all the tires and figured I would ask the hive-mind before I hit the order button. What is considered the hot ticket 200tw tire for time attack these days? 

I'm having a tough time deciding between the Yokohama A052, Falken RT660 and the new Continental ExtremeContact Force, all of which are available in the size I'll be running (205/50R15). 

For autocross, I know the A052's seem like the tire to have since they perform well with no heat needed. I'm not sure how that translates into TA? 

I know the Conti ECF is more of an endurance tire, so I'm not sure if it will have the outright grip vs the A052 and RT660? 

Any thoughts and experiences would be greatly appreciated! 

A052 and get your best lap within the first two laps.

A052 is fast but overheats quick and wears out quick. Not sure if they format you are running, but it face value, this seems to not be the best choice. 

RT660 was my choice last season for TT. The A052 just heats up too fast. 

TT is basically autocross as far as tires are concerned. For that car the A052 is absolutely going to be the fastest.

What's the run format like with the organization that you'll be running with? 

Captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

What's the run format like with the organization that you'll be running with? 

I'll be running with a local chapter of SCCA Time Trials in Tuner 5. 

dps214 said:

TT is basically autocross as far as tires are concerned. For that car the A052 is absolutely going to be the fastest.

I'm sorry, what? Every TT I have run with is set up like a track day - multiple 20 minute sessions where your single best flying lap is scored in each session. This isn't Japan with standing starts on cold tires...

Javelin said:

dps214 said:

TT is basically autocross as far as tires are concerned. For that car the A052 is absolutely going to be the fastest.

I'm sorry, what? Every TT I have run with is set up like a track day - multiple 20 minute sessions where your single best flying lap is scored in each session. This isn't Japan with standing starts on cold tires...

Yes, but if you're taking it seriously you're doing an outlap, a flying lap, and then a cooldown lap and either coming in or going for another lap if you made a mistake somewhere. A052s are good for 2-3 hot laps in a row, maybe more on a car that light, so that's plenty.

In reply to dps214 :

That's why I inquired about run format. If you're doing a warm up, 2 flying and a cool down. A052 and a water sprayer in the paddock is the answer. If you're doing 20 minute sessions, RT660 or RS4 come into play. 

Captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

What's the run format like with the organization that you'll be running with? 

I guess I should have been more specific, typically 15 minute sessions, 5 total laps, 1 practice/outlap, followed by 4 timed laps. 

From what I'm reading online from a fair number of TT competitors with the "US format" for time trials (ie, not the 2-3 lap JDM approach), the RT660 seems to be the tire of choice at the moment.

dps214 said:

Javelin said:

dps214 said:

TT is basically autocross as far as tires are concerned. For that car the A052 is absolutely going to be the fastest.

I'm sorry, what? Every TT I have run with is set up like a track day - multiple 20 minute sessions where your single best flying lap is scored in each session. This isn't Japan with standing starts on cold tires...

Yes, but if you're taking it seriously you're doing an outlap, a flying lap, and then a cooldown lap and either coming in or going for another lap if you made a mistake somewhere. A052s are good for 2-3 hot laps in a row, maybe more on a car that light, so that's plenty.

Again, what organization are you running with? In the SCCA if you pull in for anything other than a meatball check or make space request, your session is done. Reality is an outlap, 5-8 laps depending on track length, and a cooldown is what each session is. The RT660 is absolutely the tire to have in US TT whether it's SCCA or GTA.

Javelin said:

dps214 said:

Javelin said:

dps214 said:

TT is basically autocross as far as tires are concerned. For that car the A052 is absolutely going to be the fastest.

I'm sorry, what? Every TT I have run with is set up like a track day - multiple 20 minute sessions where your single best flying lap is scored in each session. This isn't Japan with standing starts on cold tires...

Yes, but if you're taking it seriously you're doing an outlap, a flying lap, and then a cooldown lap and either coming in or going for another lap if you made a mistake somewhere. A052s are good for 2-3 hot laps in a row, maybe more on a car that light, so that's plenty.

Again, what organization are you running with? In the SCCA if you pull in for anything other than a meatball check or make space request, your session is done. Reality is an outlap, 5-8 laps depending on track length, and a cooldown is what each session is. The RT660 is absolutely the tire to have in US TT whether it's SCCA or GTA.

I would think regardless the A052 would be the best flying lap and then you pull in. Why run 5 laps on less sticky tires if you only need 2 with a stickier rubber?

Olemiss540 said:

I would think regardless the A052 would be the best flying lap and then you pull in. Why run 5 laps on less sticky tires if you only need 2 with a stickier rubber?

Because you are not guaranteed a clear track. In Japan where they do standing starts or single lap flyers, you are literally the only car on track. In the US you are sharing the track with an entire run group. Banking everything on 1 lap chance is extremely risky as you could come upon traffic, yellow flags, etc. Running a tire that allows you multiple attempts in a single session greatly increases your chances of having a good time recorded. Most TT drivers attempt 2-3 hot laps in their session depending upon traffic and temps. Same thing with brake pads, we don't run super aggressive when cold AX compounds, we run track day pads that need to get warmed up a little and then stay on point for the whole session.

The RT660 will have the most consistent behavior over the course of a 20-min session, which is very nice to drive.  However the A052 will be at least slightly faster and on something as light as a CRX they will certainly last the '4 timed laps' you mention.

My personal experience is that the RT660's will heat cycle out at some point whereas the Yoko's will keep on doing what they do all the way to the cords.  I still like RT660's and would recommend them in certain cases (they are cheap, long-lasting and close enough in pace for many people) it's just a characteristic to be aware of.

Might be a regional preference or something, because my experience is "everyone serious runs A052's" while Javelin's experience seems to be "everyone serious runs RT660's" and he seems REALLY sure of that.  However we are each in different parts of the country.

In reply to RedGT :

For data, everyone fast up here runs A052s for AX. Our two TT sanctioning bodies are SCCA and Global Time Attack, and they both operate 20 minute full group sessions. All of our tracks are also pretty long and high speed (PIR is a 1:35s track with top speeds of 125 in my 200tw car). I did 15 total sessions last season over 3 events with my RT660s and they have not aged out. Your experience may vary. 

For comparison, i did (9) 20 min track sessions and about 100 autocross runs before the falkens started behaving noticeably different.  Interestingly, in retrospect they also got extremely loud on the road around the time they lost grip but it took me a few autox events to realize the grip had changed.  After talking with other people running them i found similar stories.

Javelin said:

Olemiss540 said:

I would think regardless the A052 would be the best flying lap and then you pull in. Why run 5 laps on less sticky tires if you only need 2 with a stickier rubber?

Because you are not guaranteed a clear track. In Japan where they do standing starts or single lap flyers, you are literally the only car on track. In the US you are sharing the track with an entire run group. Banking everything on 1 lap chance is extremely risky as you could come upon traffic, yellow flags, etc. Running a tire that allows you multiple attempts in a single session greatly increases your chances of having a good time recorded. Most TT drivers attempt 2-3 hot laps in their session depending upon traffic and temps. Same thing with brake pads, we don't run super aggressive when cold AX compounds, we run track day pads that need to get warmed up a little and then stay on point for the whole session.

Do they not grid you according to time at your TT's? Do you also not allow yourself proper spacing from the guy ahead so you don't catch the guy ahead of you in 2 laps? If you're srsbsns about TT, you run the A052 because you know the job is to get it done in 2 laps.

In all my other forum posts, I am a strong advocate of the RT660 as being an amazingly consistent tire for a 20 minute session. I got 33+ heat cycles out of mine before they delaminated and slowed down. In this case, you don't need consistency but just outright grip.

Some reading from the site that might help: Ultimate track tire guide | 200tw, 100tw, street-legal track and R-comps

(The above aritlce also includes links to our recent tire tests.)

RedGT said:

The RT660 will have the most consistent behavior over the course of a 20-min session, which is very nice to drive.  However the A052 will be at least slightly faster and on something as light as a CRX they will certainly last the '4 timed laps' you mention.

My personal experience is that the RT660's will heat cycle out at some point whereas the Yoko's will keep on doing what they do all the way to the cords.  I still like RT660's and would recommend them in certain cases (they are cheap, long-lasting and close enough in pace for many people) it's just a characteristic to be aware of.

Might be a regional preference or something, because my experience is "everyone serious runs A052's" while Javelin's experience seems to be "everyone serious runs RT660's" and he seems REALLY sure of that.  However we are each in different parts of the country.

This...I would say A052s for fighting at the pointy end, or RT660s if you're not.