Circuit Semi Slicks

[SimonR32]

I don't think I'm going to go backwards going a Advan A050 M in 265/35 to a Hankook C70 "Soft" on 285/35 so may just give them a try. I'm also doing a lot of sprint events so the softer compound should come on quicker for these

So Hankook only have the 265/35 in soft. Hopefully I'm going to trial fit the 295/30 A050 this weekend, if they clear I'll get a set of them otherwise I might try a set of Hankooks in the 265/35 and then I can get a fairly accurate comparison to the A050 M

[SimonR32]

Ended up getting the Z221 C70 "soft" fitted in 265/35R18 last night.

Initial impressions, they are wider than the same size Advan A050 and at 100km/hr a fair bit noisier (mind you the A050 were bald so maybe they are not). Appear to be very sticky even when cold so shall be interesting. Going to Barbagallo on Saturday so can basically do a back to back with the A050 in medium BUT it may be raining which will piss me off.

[SimonR32]

It's forecast to rain all of tomorrow which made me go to a No Limits event at the track last night to try and set a time in the dry. I got basically 4 hot laps in, only one decent lap and did a 60.19.

That compares to a 61.58 on almost dead Advan A050M, I also picked up 0.75sec through one section of the track from changing my line and throttle application. So they are quicker but by how much is hard to tell.

$450 cheaper though, I don't think you can go wrong either way

[hrd-hr30]

Nice!

I just sold my 120Y track toy and about to buy another set of semis for the Soarer, so it's great to hear this feedback. After driving the 120Y on A050M, I just can't bring myself to go back to the half worn Nittos I already have for the Soarer... Z221s it is!

Edited August 11, 2015 by hrd-hr30

[Dale FZ1]

A set of Hoosier R6 or the superceding model R7 might be a good thing for the Soarer

[JimmyRickard]

Ended up getting the Z221 C70 "soft" fitted in 265/35R18 last night.

Initial impressions, they are wider than the same size Advan A050 and at 100km/hr a fair bit noisier (mind you the A050 were bald so maybe they are not). Appear to be very sticky even when cold so shall be interesting. Going to Barbagallo on Saturday so can basically do a back to back with the A050 in medium BUT it may be raining which will piss me off.

What did you pay?

Also curious about how many track days you get out of them, be sure to let us know

[SimonR32]

$475 a corner, will keep everyone advised on wear

[hrd-hr30]

A set of Hoosier R6 or the superceding model R7 might be a good thing for the Soarer

lol the yanks get away with murder in DOT tyre classes over there - those R7 takes 'cheater slicks' to a whole new level! Not even '2 groove cheater slicks' anymore, just a few dots pretending to be tread now!

Soarer needs semis to stay in the Road Reg class at Mt Cotton hill climb. And being a pure street car, street legal tyres are more suited to the car's philosophy. Besides, I have to remove the rear seat to have enough room to carry non road legal tyres out to the track, and that's a PITA. Would rather drive to and from on the semis.

I bought a set of new (3yo stock) 235/40R18 Z221 C70/Soft compound (80 treadwear) semis for $264ea incl freight. I have a cheap-arse tyre buying gene that is hard to overcome... They still look and feel fresh and soft, so I think they'll be fine. The A050M I had for the 120Y that convinced me to buy better tyres for the Soarer, were 3yo and secondhand (off a mate, so I knew they were stored well) and they were awesome! Fitted them up on Saturday morning and I've entered a sprint at Lakeside this Wednesday to try them out.

Edited August 17, 2015 by hrd-hr30

[Dale FZ1]

Cheap-arse gene normally dominates.

Those Z221 will go great on the Soarer, probably more suited to shorter sprint events. I'd say super soft C90 if you can get them would be awesome hillclimb spec.

Still be interested to see/hear people locally running the Hoosier. Price will keep numbers low but they seem to have a damn good reputation. For hillclimb the A6/A7 would be the choice.

[hrd-hr30]

agree on the compounds, but I do both sprints and hill climbs, so it's a compromise. Being a cheap-arse means I want them to last a while as well... C70 is the compound I wanted.

[SimonR32]

How does everyone go with pressures and temperatures?

I had mine working at 32deg hot the other night but went to test them cold the next morning and they were 25psi for 3 and 22psi for the hard working front left. Seems like a very high delta to me at 7-10psi but maybe that's just normal. I managed to shag out the centre blocks a little initially as the pressure were getting to more like 35psi hot because I started at 28psi. My GTR seems to love doing this, ripping apart the compound it the center of the tyre, had done it for both the A050 and Z221 when new. I always just assume it's the pressure getting a little too high but maybe it's something else?

[sweefu]

Hey guys,

Which compound Z221 is good for Tarmac Rally? My car is very mild, stock power S14, size is 235/45r17.

http://www.hankooktire.com/global/competition-cars-tires/hankook-ventus-td-z221.html

Cheers.

[Dale FZ1]

Probably depends on the event, location, conditions, budget, performance and longevity requirements.

Most likely a hard compound.

[hrd-hr30]

Those kind of pressure gains are perfectly normal for a hard working tyre in my experience. I normally aim for about 32psi hot as well on heavy cars. I had the Soarer on the track yesterday. Set the cold pressures to 24psi LF - the hardest working tyre, 25psi LR, and 26psi from both R side tyres before starting. Had to bleed about 1psi out of a couple of them after the first session - including the LF, so it gained about 9psi.

It's normal for a treaded semi slick to tear more of the rubber off immediately beside a tread groove too. The A050 and Z221 both have tread groove right near the centre of the tyre and cause that centre wear. Not much you can do about that, except drive slower! But I agree that 35psi is a bit too high, and may have contributed as well.

I was very impressed with these Z221's yesterday. 1.5sec faster than the Nitto NT01s I had before! I did fit a FMIC as well since last time, but can't imagine that being worth much time. It gained 1.5psi with the intercooler, and does go a little better by seat of the pants. But the tyres are damn good!

[hrd-hr30]

for tarmac rallies - it would be worth your while buying them off Alan Stean of Z Car Workshop in QLD I reckon. He's the QLD distributor and very experienced in tarmac rallies. The bit extra you might pay in freight will be worth it for advice he can give IMO.

[Stribs]

I tried NS2-R, very little grip and tore apart on a ripple strip. Not even in the league of Federal RS-R, let alone a proper semi slick.

Which tread wear rating NS-2R did you use? The 120 or the 180?

I was looking forwards to a review of these, I was hoping it would be positive as the price point looks good for an entry level track orientated tyre.

Any more detail on your time on them / how they gripped from cold et al?

[sweefu]

Which tread wear rating NS-2R did you use? The 120 or the 180?

I was looking forwards to a review of these, I was hoping it would be positive as the price point looks good for an entry level track orientated tyre.

Any more detail on your time on them / how they gripped from cold et al?

I can't remember now, I'll try dig out some pictures.

They just weren't anything special, grip from cold was average they needed heat in them to work, good grip when hot but no better than Federal RS-R or something like that.

Pretty boring tyre, I wouldn't bother with them again. They are miles off being a semi slick too, it's just another road tyre like RS-R, KU36 etc.

[sweefu]

Are the R888 still a hit and miss tyre? I have a budget of around $1000 - $1200 for a set of tyres to use at the Great Tarmac Rally in Victoria.

I used to live in a similar area to where the rally is being held and it was often damp/wet at this time of year but I can't be sure.

There's some 2014 production Toyo R888 at St George Tyres for $1160/set in 245/40r17, could anyone suggest any other options for my budget?

http://www.stgeorgetyres.com.au/tyres/toyo-tyres-245-40-17-proxes-r888/product-detail.aspx

Cheers.

[fatz]

Just reporting back

295 hand cock z221 c70

I bought these used from a super lap competitor in 2012

4 super sprints later and still have a day left in them

Consistent so far will report back once I am through to the belts

[Duncan]

stay away from the 888....they are not hit and miss, they just only work well on light cars.

Buy these instead @250 each: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/235-45-17-2354517-94W-HANKOOK-VENTUS-TD-Z221-R-COMPOUND-SEMI-SLICK-TYRES-NEW-/281783694508?hash=item419b9df4ac. Just check first, it says the compound is soft which may be too soft for your use depending on temps and the length of stages.