[Z06] Firestone Firehawk Wide Ovals
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: Durant Oklahoma
Firestone Firehawk Wide Ovals
Before you ask I've searched different threads and while they kind of answered my questions I still want to ask. Some say it is a decent tire, others hate them, I think everyone likes the price. My new Z06 has these at the moment, but they are worn and need replaced(can't wait to put the rear tires in their final resting place
) My Z is a daily driver, as in it's the only car I have so it goes everywhere I go. After a week of driving on this worn set they seem perfectly fine to me, so a new set should be even better. I don't plan to take it to the strip, just some spirited driving every now and then, so I don't need extreme dry traction. What I do need is good wet traction since at some point I'm sure I'll have to drive down the highway in the rain, I've heard these are pretty good in the wet. Also like a tire that lasts a little while. I can get discounts two different ways on a set of Goodyears(my work discount and my Dad's Goodyear discount since he works at the plant) but they would still be higher, and I think those sets are just more than I need. The TOYO's seem nice also, just a little more expensive.
) My Z is a daily driver, as in it's the only car I have so it goes everywhere I go. After a week of driving on this worn set they seem perfectly fine to me, so a new set should be even better. I don't plan to take it to the strip, just some spirited driving every now and then, so I don't need extreme dry traction. What I do need is good wet traction since at some point I'm sure I'll have to drive down the highway in the rain, I've heard these are pretty good in the wet. Also like a tire that lasts a little while. I can get discounts two different ways on a set of Goodyears(my work discount and my Dad's Goodyear discount since he works at the plant) but they would still be higher, and I think those sets are just more than I need. The TOYO's seem nice also, just a little more expensive.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,286
Likes: 0
From: Southwestern OH
St. Jude Donor '08
Go with the GY GSD3's, great wet and dry tire IMO
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...e+page-13.html
Not cheap, so if price is critical look into Kumhos MX, Toyo T1Rs, Flaken Azenis 615's or Vredestein Sessanta's as well.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...e+page-13.html
Not cheap, so if price is critical look into Kumhos MX, Toyo T1Rs, Flaken Azenis 615's or Vredestein Sessanta's as well.
Last edited by CJR2; Apr 30, 2008 at 07:38 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,680
Likes: 1,180
From: Raleigh
I have the Wide Ovals on mine. I have no problems with them at all. Mine is a daily driver and the tires have about 12k miles on them so far. They are great in the rain. For the money they are a good tire.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 15,678
Likes: 1,097
From: birmingham Alabama
St. Jude Donor '09 and '13
I agree. I have them and they are fine. I had the toyo's and they will handle better in the dry, but they are scary in the rain, and they will only last about HALF as long as the firestones.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,679
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
Go with the GY GSD3's, great wet and dry tire IMO
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...e+page-13.html
Not cheap, so if price is critical look into Kumhos MX, Toyo T1Rs, Flaken Azenis 615's or Vredestein Sessanta's as well.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...e+page-13.html
Not cheap, so if price is critical look into Kumhos MX, Toyo T1Rs, Flaken Azenis 615's or Vredestein Sessanta's as well.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee Wi
I have the Wide Ovals on mine for 2 years now. I play around alot and they still have plenty of tread. The ride is good and they are predictable when sliding the rear out, I tested them in a couple of autocross events. They are a bit narrower than all the other manufacturers, but for daily driving they are great. They stick ok once warmed up but I can get them to spin a little in 3rd at 70 if I really try. My next set will probably be the Toyo tires or the Yokahoma A048 or some sort of dual purpose track/street tire. Although since i have another set of rims I may just use the wide ovals on the street and get some R6's or something similar.
I can't really complain about them too much - they've outlasted 3 sets of Kuhmo's on my friends car and we drive about the same.
I can't really complain about them too much - they've outlasted 3 sets of Kuhmo's on my friends car and we drive about the same.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I have the Wide Ovals on mine for 2 years now. I play around alot and they still have plenty of tread. The ride is good and they are predictable when sliding the rear out, I tested them in a couple of autocross events. They are a bit narrower than all the other manufacturers, but for daily driving they are great. They stick ok once warmed up but I can get them to spin a little in 3rd at 70 if I really try. My next set will probably be the Toyo tires or the Yokahoma A048 or some sort of dual purpose track/street tire. Although since i have another set of rims I may just use the wide ovals on the street and get some R6's or something similar.
I can't really complain about them too much - they've outlasted 3 sets of Kuhmo's on my friends car and we drive about the same.
I can't really complain about them too much - they've outlasted 3 sets of Kuhmo's on my friends car and we drive about the same.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,158
Likes: 1
From: St. Peters MO
Go with the GY GSD3's, great wet and dry tire IMO
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...e+page-13.html
Not cheap, so if price is critical look into Kumhos MX, Toyo T1Rs, Flaken Azenis 615's or Vredestein Sessanta's as well.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...e+page-13.html
Not cheap, so if price is critical look into Kumhos MX, Toyo T1Rs, Flaken Azenis 615's or Vredestein Sessanta's as well.
Go for the GS-D3'sCan't really say that they are that much more $$ though......couple hundred for the set?.......remember that the GS-D3's have a tread depth of 10/32 with is 2/32 more tread life than most other choices.........so in the long run they would be the better "bargan"........Plus it's a better tire
......and it will actually look like a 295 wide tire back there.......
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 17,103
Likes: 39
From: stop the fun suckers
I ran my wideovals on my C4 corvette for three or four days of HPDE track use as well as daily driving duty and loved them.. one of the track days was in the rain.. they are fabulous in the rain.. and held up well to the 130+mph straightaway speeds in a downpour.. were predictable in the corners as well as soft riding and quite for daily driving..
For our size tires on the ZO6 are they really narrower or is it the perception that they are narrower because of the curb protectors built in?!??!
For our size tires on the ZO6 are they really narrower or is it the perception that they are narrower because of the curb protectors built in?!??!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,055
Likes: 9,817
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
I ran my wideovals on my C4 corvette for three or four days of HPDE track use as well as daily driving duty and loved them.. one of the track days was in the rain.. they are fabulous in the rain.. and held up well to the 130+mph straightaway speeds in a downpour.. were predictable in the corners as well as soft riding and quite for daily driving..
For our size tires on the ZO6 are they really narrower or is it the perception that they are narrower because of the curb protectors built in?!??!
For our size tires on the ZO6 are they really narrower or is it the perception that they are narrower because of the curb protectors built in?!??!
The looks don't count the performance does and they can perform. Some people say they don't perform for them but more say they like the performance. Makes you wonder about those who can't get them to perform doesn't it?
Bill
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 17,103
Likes: 39
From: stop the fun suckers
tire rack spec has a 10.2" TREAD width for the F1's and 10.1" for the WO's.. thats an 1/8" difference..
I guess they are smaller..
just how much an 1/8" difference makes.. I donno..
Interesting note however is the section width of the wideoval's is wider than both the PS2's and F1's.. (I would wager due to the curb/wheel protectors).
I guess they are smaller..
just how much an 1/8" difference makes.. I donno..
Interesting note however is the section width of the wideoval's is wider than both the PS2's and F1's.. (I would wager due to the curb/wheel protectors).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 281
From: Was New Orleans but swam to Baton Rouge LA
Cruise-In IX Veteran
I am with you on that Bill. Everyone I know down here in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans area that races cars uses the Wide Ovals on their Z06. When we get together for the vette viper days we just roll through the road course at No Problem Raceway. I think I am the slowest one in the group and I do not have problems with the tires, but it is more of I am more scared of wrecking my car that slows me down.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 747
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento CA
I have had them on A Cobra when they first came out and I think that you are getting exactly what you pay for. A harder tire that people buy to save some money. If you are just A driver that cruises your Vette around the tire is fine. If you are A driving enthusiast, spend the extra $100.00 A tire A get yourself something that will perform. There really is A huge difference
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 6
From: NS
Mine has Wide Ovals. I have no issues with them other than wheel hopping on cold pavement. I'll soon be pulling them off and replacing them with Michelin PS2s ... only because I don't pay for my Michelin tires. 