billla

Is there such a thing as a tire that is stickier than a standard street tire, but still has decent rain capabilities and tire life?

I autocross occasionally, but I really don't want to go down the path of a tire trailer and a 2nd set of wheels. I recognize the competetive disadvantage and I'm cool with that - besides, when I'm getting beat by 4+ seconds I can always tell myself "Boy, if I just had race tires..."

Jason

If you're autocrossing to improve your driving skills, not to win, get the hardest long lasting high mileage tire you can find. if you're running to win, get hoosier A6's.

gmccreary

Since you live in Washington I understand why you need something that you can drive in the rain. I was stationed at NAS Whidbey Island from 1988-1995. You may want to look into the Nitto NT 555 RII or the Nitto Invo.

RC000E

kumho ecsta xs and the dunlop direzza z1 star spec are the best for autox. The Dunlop is better in rain and is a really overall more capable tire, but both are damn good in the dry with pretty descent longevity. Both heat up quick, which is why they are a great autocross tire for a streetcar. There was even a comparison test versus the well known Michelin PS2 and they both owned that tire big time. I have Invo's on one of our GTM's and I'm NOT impressed and will not be buying them again. Just my opinion.

NOSLO6

I loved the 555R2s on my old C5Z06-- incredible all-around tire. Really sticky, work in rain, last reasonably well for tires this soft, fairly cheap.

I would have bought them again for my C6, but they don't have the sizes. Switched to Toyo R888s, which are also great, but the Nittos were a tad better in wet daily driving conditions.

torque*is*cheap

I second the recommendation for the Dunlop Direzza Star Specs...excellent grip, decent ride comfort and not bad in the rain. With mostly street driving and an occasional autocross, they'll probably last 12,000-15,000 miles. I'm very happy, too, with the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11s that are on my car now.

Autocross is no fun at all on really hard-compound street tires...especially with a Vette! With my new (to me) Vette, I did my first autocross this year with the original fossilized Goodyear run-flats, and 400 lb-ft of torque and 6-year-old tires are not a good mix.

billla

Thanks, everyone!

I expect I'll make the buy this winter when I have some clean-up work done on my wheels to get rid of a little rash here and there from the PO.

I've got a bone-stock Z06 that's been lowered about 1/2" and with the Pfadt Racing alignment specs. I curently have the Pilot Sport II's.

At the last local event, which was my first autox in 2 years, I ran a 57 while the fast and serious guys were running around 51 in Super Stock. If I could be running in the 54 range I'd be happy. Not willing to do what it takes to win...just don't want to be *quite* so far off the pace.

63Corvette

For best ALL around tire for street/autocross, I recommend Michelin Pilot Sport CUP, OR Nitto NT-05 tires.... depending on your resources.

RC000E

Sport Cups take a LONG time to get up to temp....not a big deal for HPDE but a big deal for autocross. Other members mentioned them being flat out scary when cold. I've had PS2's and both the Dunlops and Kumho's in the short time I've run them both seem much more capable.

billla

Size-wise, it looks like on stock wheels the most choices are 275/40-17 and 305/25-18...no fitment issues?

thetoy

I run the nitto's on my c5 and auto cross it sometimes and I love the tires.

StKnoWhere

Another fan of dunlop direzza z1 star spec, wish they where available in C6 sizes.

RE-11 are pretty close though.

68sixspeed

Another vote here for Nitro r2's are a great choice for a c5 and they are ok in the rain until they get low on tread. I wish we could get them for the c6z!

RC000E

I have a C6Z wheel setup and run the Direzza Z1's on the front with the Kumho Ecsta XS on back's (285/35/18 front, 345/30/19 rear). Good combo.

c4cruiser

with the Nitto NT-05's. I just picked up a set for my 87 (275-40-17 all around) and they seem to be very good tires for autocross if you don't want to haul race tires.

I did one autocross in the rain with the NT-05's and they did very well for only having about 30 miles on them. My a6's would have been useless given the conditions for that day.

I just finished a track day with the NT-05's and they performed very well. I had a set of Kumho Ecsta MX's and these Nittos are every bit as good.

I decided on the Nitto tires over the new Kumho XS because of price and most reviews said the Nitto was slightly better in the wet. For street use in the rain, the NT-05 works as long as you don't drive hard. Everyday commuting would be fine.

Another tire worth considering for C5 and C6 sizes is the Toyo R888.

Paul R.

Direzza star specs are great, but they do not make wide enough sizes for corvettes. Their widest 17" is only a 265 and in 18" is a 275. I ran them on my old SVT Focus that I ran in G stock at the time and I loved them. I really wish they made sizes to fit my C5Z as I'd definitely run another set.

http://www.dunloptires.com/catalog/d...1StarSpec.html

doje

I ran the NT-01's on my street / auto-x car for a couple years and they were AMAZING. That being said, I would only use them if you NEVER drive in the rain.

JiminVirginia