NTMD8R

Another Tires question.
We are now going to campaign a 2008 Z06.
Of course, we are running Hoosier A7 tires (when it's dry).
But, what about when it's wet ?
We do live in Vancouver, so maybe 1/3 of our events are in the rain.

I was thinking of RE-11 tires.... about the only brand that makes sizes
for the stock wheels on this car.

But, TireRack says they won't be available until at least March.
Our first event is March 4.

Any other recommendations ?
I expect some of you will say to go with 18" wheels all around,
but I don't want to buy more wheels. I've already bought some for the A7 tires. And I've bought 2 sets for the C7 (Grrrr).

Thanks

v10climber

If you're running A7s I'm guessing you're running SSR? If that's the case you have to buy 18" rear wheels and run the Hoosier H20. There is simply no equal.

If you're wanting something that will fit on the stock wheels the Continental DW is being reworked (and renamed the sport) and that's probably the tire you want. Or you could put full-tread RE71rs on the OEM c6z wheels and then have a rain tire and also be able to run AS.

NTMD8R

Yes, we are in SSR with the Hoosiers.
But the RE71R doesn't come wide enough (325) to fit the stock rear wheel.

Thanks for the info on the Hoosier H20, and the Continental DW.

Sawbladz

I just made this choice and chose the RE71R for the front and RE11 for the rear in stock sizes. I have heard mixed reviews on this pairing since the front tires are significantly better than the rears for grip. Not sure how wet weather will impact this pairing and will have a better idea in the spring.

v10climber

The RE71r comes in a 305/19. Fits fine on the 19x12 rear wheel on a c6z. Put the 275/18 up front.

If you have the ability to change it I'd strongly recommend against what you've done. Expect for very specific situations mix and matching tire compounds is not something commonly done. There were a few people running re71r up front and rival s out back on vettes when availability sucked and apparently it was OK but now you don't have to make those compromises. You're going to have tires with very different characteristics at the front and back of the car not to mention the re71r is significantly stickier than the re-11. It'll make driving the car consistently at the limit difficult. The 305/19 re71r fits fine on the rear of a c6z. Or get 18s and run the Rival S. Or like I said the continental extreme contact sport is coming in a 325/19. Or stick with something like a pilot supersport. Lots of options out there that don't involve mix and matching tire compounds.

69autoXr

I'm not sure I understand the need for 200TW tires as rain tires in SSR, unless you're specifically looking for something that could pull double duty and run AS from time to time. But keep in mind that you can't downsize to 18" rears in SSR (yet), so you're pretty much left with the 305/19 RE71R.

There is a 325/19 H2O.

v10climber

Crap I forgot about that. But yes. If you want any hope of being competitive in SSR at a big event when it's pouring down rain you better have hoosier wets mounted and ready.

NTMD8R

69autoXr,

wow... 325/19 in the H20 would be perfect, along with a 305/30/18.

But TireRack doesn't show that 325 size on their site.
Where can I get the sizes I mentioned ?

Thanks

And, because I was thinking of RE-11s, I would be moving around in classes,
depending on the weather.
But I'd rather stay in SSR for all events.

NTMD8R

Hmmm... Phil's tires shows them... Hmmm

strano@stranoparts.com

I have 19" H20's. They make 325's. No need for 18's. Rival S are not good in the rain. The RE71R is pretty darn good but only comes in a 305/19 rear which is small, but if it's raining hard that might not be a bad thing from a cutting through water standpoint.

If it is so wet you can't run dries, and you can't or won't have H20's I'd likely recommend something like a Pilot Super Sport or Conti DW and have them as your streets too.

That said, I do have two sets of good life W710's available (still sticky) on in PA, one in CA that we can't use so we've been street driving them some. I don't know if the rules up there will allow it, how close to SCCA rules you run. If they are EXACT, they are technically not legal unless your club makes them ok. They were legal for years until they got axed under an interpretation of the "street" class rules saying build dates older than 5 years make them no bueno. Cost a lot of us a bunch of money.

There is NO better wet tire. Period. Bar none.

conemark

Sam speaks the truth and then some about the W710. The only thing that lets you know it's raining is the water on the car

With that said, if you aren't going the Hoosier H2.0 route, the Continental DW (*not DWS*) is a very good rain tire that has been seen to get some 'airtime' at National autocross events with good results. Between the Pilot Super Sport and Continental DW, I think the nod goes to the ContiHooHoo.

NTMD8R

Sam,
again thanks for your sage wisdom.
Yeah, we pretty much run SCCA rules up here, so the W710 is a no-no.

So I guess I'll go with the H20s.
I'll use them to drive to/from the event (25 miles highway driving one way) too.
Then swap back/forth at the event to the A7 for hot/dry,
and leave on the H20s for wet.
All this on stock size C6 Z06 wheels.

Does this make sense ?

We don't plan on using this car for anything other than Autocross/track.
We have a C7 Z51 for cruising, etc.

NTMD8R

Now I have more info....
A good friend who has many miles of racing under his belt has said "I wouldn't use H20s as a street tire, and wouldn't do that with A7's either. Hoosiers are built for clean smooth surfaces, and don't have the reinforcement to deal with pot holes or debris on the road. "

And I am not going to buy ANOTHER Set of wheels and tires....
one set for dry/hot and another for wet/rain, then another to just drive on.

So now my thinking is...
Run in SSR with the A7 tires for hot/dry.
Stay in SSR with some highway/rain tires for wet/rain.
Fundamentally all people we run with don't have H20s or "special" rain tires,
so we would likely still be somewhat competitive.

Now... RE-11 seems to be the better of this "world" according to TireRack info.
I did run RE-71Rs on my C7, and they are quite good for street tires,
but they don't like heat, therefore we needed to cool them down (water spray)
between runs (2 drivers too).
I understand the RE-11s are not quite so "fussy".

I know, I keep changing my mind... but I keep getting more information.

I do thank everyone for all your input.
And I have actually made the purchase yet.
So, any more thoughts ?