Peter Thana and I have been running Bridgestone RE71s all season long and
I've been quite happy with them.
Any new tire after just 5 events is still going to have more than enough
tread left to run in the rain, so I really don't think you need to worry
about that.
As for dry traction, the RE71 is the softest street tire I have ever used,
absolutely superb traction. It's only problem is relatively soft sidewalls,
so they will feel a bit mushy compared to the more top-shelf
ultra-high-performance tires. But when you weigh the sidewall issue against
the costs involved, I'll personally take a very close second best for half
the price any day. Also, one can consider the softer sidewalls as a benifit
for street driving comfort.
The life of the RE71s aren't bad either, even with such a soft compound. I
bought my set a year ago, just before the last event of the season. Since
then I've run 15-20 autocrosses and two all day track events, and they are
just now getting to the wear-bars and providing the best performance of
their lives.
David Parker has also been running the SP8000s for yet another season. I
had a set of these before my RE71s. Not quite as good traction, but much
sitffer sidewalls. Doesn't seems to slow David down much though =P.
-Carl
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dave Rowney [mailto:daver@uclink4.berkeley.edu]
> Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2000 5:00 AM
> To: ba-autox@autox.team.net
> Subject: Tires for Street Tire classs
>
>
> The Street Tire class has just about consumed our OEM tires.
> Who would
> like to express an opinion on good tires for this class (120+
> tread wear
> rating)? Our size is 225/50-16.
>
> Best in dry conditions overall.
> Best dry, considering cost and longevity.
> Best dry and wet combination.
>
> We would like something that will go through 5 slush events,
> be relatively
> safe in winter rain driving, maybe do 15 regular season
> events next year,
> and not make us too unhappy street driving on bumpy roads. And be
> competitive if the driver does his or her part. Are we
> asking too much?
>
> Dave & Wil
> ************************************************
> * Dave Rowney, Hopper Racing *
> * BMW 328i GS Solo II *
> * El Cerrito, California 94530 USA *
> ****** DaveR@UCLink4.Berkeley.Edu *************
>
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