fleming23

I posted this on pro-touring as well but know there is a good bit of activity in this forum as well.

I tried to find people who have done back to back comparisons with the two tires in question but I seem to only find articles with the older versions. I know either tire is competitive but there is somewhat of a price difference between the two online.

Tire Rack lists the BFG Rival S at $343.25 per tire
Discount Tire Direct prices the Azenis RT-615K at $399 per tire

That is only a bit over $200 for a set but for those of us who don't have corporate sponsors fighting for space down the side of our car, $200 is gas or hotel money! The point here is that I see the top names in the national autocross arena winning on either tire. Are they really a toss up as far as traction is concerned? I tend to do more full-course HPDE track days than autocross but would like to attend a few more regional autocross events next year if time and money allow. I am not sure if I want to try to do road course events on a 200TW tire and have heard the BFG is not really great once it gets that hot. I haven't seen any news or hints of any updates for the 2016 season so I assume these two tires will still be the top players.

Any opinions or sources would be great!

Thanks!

froggy47

talon95

I don't know what autocross events you were looking at but for autocross,

Rival S >> 615k

HPDE, probably still the Rival S but I don't have any experience at track events with them. It doesn't overheat too easily and needs a small amount to work 100%.

fleming23

LS Fest, Midwest Muscle Car Challenge, USCA events...

I know I have seen you post but don't remember your car exactly so don't take this as me discarding your advice - do you have experience on the Falkens or based on feedback from others? I am leaning toward the Rival S, if for nothing else the fact they are cheaper and seem to do very well.

mountainbiker2

I noticed that too. One of my friends tried the Falkens 615k at an Autocross and was quite fast with them. Higher air pressure seemed to work better for them. I also remember comments about being hard to drive at the limit. After a few events, she switched to Bridgestone 71r. Although she was pretty fast with the Falkens, she's much happier with the Bridgestones. Then went out and kick my butt in a practice event. The Bridgestones 71r and Rival S are very comparable in times. You can't get 71r in 315's, so that only leaves you with one choice. BFG's.

Steve

chetly

As someone who drove on 315/30-18 rt-615k square for most of my Auto-x season, I finally made the switch to re71r F/ Rival S/r combo. On average I was 2.5-3 seconds behind my buddy Scott driving a Cobra with my C5z in CAM-S (we don't play by SCCA rules) to being within .6xx on average for the last 2 2 day events. I'd say they are quite a bit faster...

strano@stranoparts.com

Falken's are not a competitive tire, period.

fleming23

Seems like the Rival S is the way to go. Thank you all for the input!

klodkrawler05

a little late to the party but I got the opportunity to drive my car (on Rival S) at Gingerman raceway a track i'm pretty familiar with, for 2 laps before the engine failed due to spun rod bearings, during those 2 laps I managed a 1:41.0

After getting my car off the track I was offered the opportunity to drive an identically modified car (ridetech shocks, big sway bars, 18x10.5 square wheels and stock motor besides headers/intake) the sole difference between our cars was this particular car was on Falkens. I drove the car all of my remaining sessions that day and couldn't manage to break into the 1:43's on Falkens.

That said they do seem to wear better. If you want to be competitive I'd be on the RE71 first or the Rival S if they have a better size. if you want a well wearing tire I'd chose the Falken.

fleming23

Thanks for the post. I am pretty well committed to the BFG rival S at this point, especially based on feedback on here and pro-touring. Only issue at this point is finding someone who has it in stock.

I need a 315/30-18 which eliminates the RE71, and many of the other brand tires unless I go to less than 200 UTQG, like the 888 or NT-01.

chetly

Tirerack has them in stock.

fleming23

Just got off the phone with them

Was trying to give some local business the money but nobody had them in stock, or could even get an ETA. I was even told by one tire "store" that the tire was discontinued, even after verifying he was checking on the Rival S for me.

Heat-cycled tires should be here either Friday or Monday. Now just waiting on new wheels to arrive

chetly

I believe that tire rack has an exclusive deal with that tire, meaning no one else can sell it.

fleming23

Ready to rock & roll!!

loudes13

The last time I drove with RT615's they over heated in less than a half lap. They are not a modern competitive tire, even for autocross. Falken has good marketing, not performance.

For hpde, does the rival come in a non S for your size? That would offer you a great tire with great wear.

firebirdfan

Anyone fit 315 rivals onto the front of a C5? I'm struggling to find pictures. I know they'll fit on the rear.

fleming23

Danny Popp definitely has but I'm not sure what else he may have done to get them to fit.

froggy47

You will want to have minimum suspension travel to do this, or you will be doing a fender trim job with the tires.

mountainbiker2

Yes. I have C5 Z06 rear wheels on the front. No problem. C5 Z06 pictures.

firebirdfan

AWESOME. Thanks for the pics. I sent you a PM regarding alignment specs and a few other questions. Really appreciate it.