Hoosier R6 vs A6 vs Racing Slick for Autocross
02-08-2010, 10:13 PM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Hoosier R6 vs A6 vs Racing Slick for Autocross
I have three sets of slicks right now that I run on two different cars for road racing. I have an 06 C6 automatic with a wide body kit heavily modified for the track (sway bars, bushings, big brakes, coil overs, camber kit, engine mods, seats and more). I also have an 09 Z06 with even more modifications it weighs 2800 pounds and has 700 horsepower. I have a set of R6s on my stock wheels they are 345 and 295, a set of R6s on a set of Forgeline 18" lightweight racing wheels that are I think 345 and 315 x 18" and a set of Hoosier Racing slicks (not R6 or A6) in 18" not sure of width due to weird sizes on another set of lightweight Forgeline 18" wheels. I use all of this stuff for road racing.
Recently I was invited to an autocross event. My question is can I run something I have (I am thinking the racing slicks not the R6s) for autocross or do I need to get another set of wheels with A6s on them. Anyone with autocross and slicks experience please chime in. I have a large investment in wheels and tires already and frankly don't wont anymore slicks stacked up in my garage I am running out of room for cars. Of course my concern is that the R6s and racing slicks won't warm up enough to be effective for autocross. I know my first lap road racing I always take it easy until the tires warm up. I understand A6s are sticky when cold but I think my racing slicks may be as well just don't know for sure. I don't think the R6s will work but not sure about that either.
Recently I was invited to an autocross event. My question is can I run something I have (I am thinking the racing slicks not the R6s) for autocross or do I need to get another set of wheels with A6s on them. Anyone with autocross and slicks experience please chime in. I have a large investment in wheels and tires already and frankly don't wont anymore slicks stacked up in my garage I am running out of room for cars. Of course my concern is that the R6s and racing slicks won't warm up enough to be effective for autocross. I know my first lap road racing I always take it easy until the tires warm up. I understand A6s are sticky when cold but I think my racing slicks may be as well just don't know for sure. I don't think the R6s will work but not sure about that either.
02-08-2010, 10:50 PM
#2
Former Vendor
I have to say the A6 tires, as long as in good shape, are the way to go since they are autocross tires.
R6 are road race tires and probably not going to warm up enough for autocross.
R6 are road race tires and probably not going to warm up enough for autocross.
02-09-2010, 01:11 AM
#3
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The A6s would be better for an autocross. However, if all you are doing is one autocross that is a lot of money to spend for an event where you will probably only get 5 minutes of course time for the day.
Bill
Bill
02-09-2010, 07:45 AM
#4
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If you are running for fun use what you have, I've used R6s before for Autocross.
If you are going to win or prove something show up with sticker A6s, A6s are worth about 2 seconds per 60 sec auto X run.
If you have Hoosier R80s they would be better than the R6 IMO, although I've never Auto Xed them
If you are going to win or prove something show up with sticker A6s, A6s are worth about 2 seconds per 60 sec auto X run.
If you have Hoosier R80s they would be better than the R6 IMO, although I've never Auto Xed them
02-09-2010, 07:56 AM
#5
Melting Slicks
Hoosier A6's FTW in any autocross if you are playing to win....seriously....
R6's and R80's will probably take way too long to come up to temperature, the only time that they may be viable is if you are making back-to-back runs in the middle of the summer with BIG temperature. I haven't run any of the Hoosier radial slicks in autocross either , but I agree that they would probably be faster than the R6.
With all of that tire , I would make sure that you are using the largest rear you can buy like the 345 that is taller and has some sidewall. Sidewall will help with forward bite...
R6's and R80's will probably take way too long to come up to temperature, the only time that they may be viable is if you are making back-to-back runs in the middle of the summer with BIG temperature. I haven't run any of the Hoosier radial slicks in autocross either , but I agree that they would probably be faster than the R6.
With all of that tire , I would make sure that you are using the largest rear you can buy like the 345 that is taller and has some sidewall. Sidewall will help with forward bite...
Last edited by RAFTRACER; 02-09-2010 at 08:00 AM.
02-09-2010, 08:33 AM
#6
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Just use the R6 and do circles in the parking area for a couple min. before your run! 
It all depends on the condition of the tire. A new A6 is fast, but Autox heat cycles wear them down FAST. I bought a set of A6s that were made literally 3 months before I got them, but because I bought them used and they already had like 20 Autox runs on them they were like ice and sucked in an autox. I got beat by another C4 on Kumho SPT street tires.
Autox sure puts more of a beating on the tires.
It all depends on the condition of the tire. A new A6 is fast, but Autox heat cycles wear them down FAST. I bought a set of A6s that were made literally 3 months before I got them, but because I bought them used and they already had like 20 Autox runs on them they were like ice and sucked in an autox. I got beat by another C4 on Kumho SPT street tires.
Autox sure puts more of a beating on the tires.
02-09-2010, 09:11 AM
#7
Melting Slicks
Just use the R6 and do circles in the parking area for a couple min. before your run!
It all depends on the condition of the tire. A new A6 is fast, but Autox heat cycles wear them down FAST. I bought a set of A6s that were made literally 3 months before I got them, but because I bought them used and they already had like 20 Autox runs on them they were like ice and sucked in an autox. I got beat by another C4 on Kumho SPT street tires. Autox sure puts more of a beating on the tires.
It all depends on the condition of the tire. A new A6 is fast, but Autox heat cycles wear them down FAST. I bought a set of A6s that were made literally 3 months before I got them, but because I bought them used and they already had like 20 Autox runs on them they were like ice and sucked in an autox. I got beat by another C4 on Kumho SPT street tires.
Autox sure puts more of a beating on the tires.A6's are fast throughout thier life , but never as fast as when they have stickers on them. They do get slower towards the very bloody end when the tire is the thinnest, but still quite fast. New tires will make you feel like super-man.
02-09-2010, 09:20 AM
#8
Melting Slicks
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Bring one car with the A6's and one car with the R80's find out which one you like better then just drive that car the rest of the day. 
02-09-2010, 10:13 AM
#9
Racer
They do heat up and get to full stick pretty quick.
I've run 10-20 HC A6's back to back with stickers on 1:30-1:45 tracks and they are ~3 secs slower than stickers. Which means they are still faster than most other R comps
They are pretty fast for the first 3 HC's, then slowly fall off then seem to kinda stabilize for awhile before they totally die.
They die faster if you abuse them in the summer heat.
I've run 10-20 HC A6's back to back with stickers on 1:30-1:45 tracks and they are ~3 secs slower than stickers. Which means they are still faster than most other R comps
They are pretty fast for the first 3 HC's, then slowly fall off then seem to kinda stabilize for awhile before they totally die.
They die faster if you abuse them in the summer heat.
02-09-2010, 11:10 AM
#10
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I am finding that hard to believe unless it was really cold and/or wet....
A6's are fast throughout thier life , but never as fast as when they have stickers on them. They do get slower towards the very bloody end when the tire is the thinnest, but still quite fast. New tires will make you feel like super-man.
A6's are fast throughout thier life , but never as fast as when they have stickers on them. They do get slower towards the very bloody end when the tire is the thinnest, but still quite fast. New tires will make you feel like super-man.
They were bought in the summer and they came off a 4 wheel drive subaru.....
02-09-2010, 11:18 AM
#11
Racer
02-09-2010, 12:54 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
I'm mainly a track guy, but do autocross on occasion and have tried a variety of tires.
Regarding race tires; not sure about the Hoosier race tire, but my Goodyear G19 370 compound (fairly soft and softer than the 480 that I typically use at the track) only got to a max 106 degree temp. Far too low for the tire to work properly. I usually run in the 155-165 degree range at the track and thats barely warm enough).
I once drove the 370 compound home just for hell of it. They looked like toasted almond bars, so they actually got warmer on the street.
Regarding race tires; not sure about the Hoosier race tire, but my Goodyear G19 370 compound (fairly soft and softer than the 480 that I typically use at the track) only got to a max 106 degree temp. Far too low for the tire to work properly. I usually run in the 155-165 degree range at the track and thats barely warm enough).
I once drove the 370 compound home just for hell of it. They looked like toasted almond bars, so they actually got warmer on the street.
