The only query most critical autocrossers need answered: Which tire might be quickest on concrete?
Certain, 80% of autocross occasions across the nation happen on asphalt, however the Massive Present–the Tire Rack SCCA Solo Nationwide Championships–runs on the concreate expanse discovered at Nebraska’s Lincoln Airpark.
And that distinctive floor makes a distinction in how a tire operates. Concrete autocross websites, although, …
Yokohama Advan A052
Our check mule has competed just about completely on the Yokohama A052 for the previous three seasons, so each the setup and driver familiarity are biased towards it. Provided that, it’s no shock that Vivek cracked off three laps all inside a tenth.
Not good runs, although. He did have a small slip on the primary cross close to the end, which doubtless value a while. Working back-to-back for the second cross, the now-warm tires weren’t fairly as exact. We then sprayed and reset pressures for the third run, however the preliminary crisp feeling of the first-run chilly tire was gone. Typical A052 efficiency–get it performed early.
Vitour Tempesta P1 X-01R
With its new-for-2026, autocross-specific compound, the Vitour X1 delivers related efficiency to the unique track-focused P1 however with out the necessity to add vitality for compound activation.
On the primary launch, the automotive didn’t hook as nicely off the road because the A052 and misplaced just a little time on the preliminary straight. Additional, regular state sweeper grip was not fairly as much as the Yokohama degree, and a scarcity of front-end precision in transitions was additionally discovered. Turning earlier cured the transitions on the second run, however a few slalom cones have been hit within the course of. Spraying the tire earlier than the third cross had no impact on the texture, however no cones have been hit this time as driver familiarity elevated.
Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RZ
All three passes on the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RZ have been the quickest of the day, and driver suggestions was stuffed with reward. Famous was the extremely responsive entrance finish, enabling exact slalom and offset execution. The tire did appear to need just a little vitality for full grip, as wheelspin was current on the preliminary launch. Later video evaluation confirmed this to be value 0.15 second.
The tire was totally on for the second and third runs, however small errors in every value a while. Of the three tires examined, the RZ is clearly the outlier on response.
Yokohama Advan A052 (retest)
To bracket our testing and decide if floor evolution or driver enchancment had sullied our outcomes, we once more mounted up our check Yokohama A052s. This time, although, a pair extra tenths have been gained over the primary cold-tire run–on the expense of two slalom cones hit. However the two follow-ups once more fell again to establishment for a heat A052. This gave us confidence in our information.
Evaluation
We at all times say that our testing isn’t absolute. It’s only one information level that can be utilized alongside others for steerage in your individual testing program. That’s why we’re proud of this follow-up information level to our observe testing. And this time, we discovered an actual distinction.
After a decade, the reign of the Yokohama A052 might lastly be over. The Bridgestone RE-71RZ merely handles warmth higher, giving extra bites on the apple for much less constant drivers. It’s additionally extra exact in transitional maneuvers, although it does require recalibrating your inputs.
The Vitour X1 was additionally proper there within the combine, delivering on its promise of being an autocross model of a P1. And it does are available in some distinctive, motorsports-friendly sizes which will present an advantageous fitment in some purposes. But it surely simply didn’t have fairly the mid-corner grip because the others on at the present time and on this automotive.
The grip deficit might have been from the extra excessive camber settings used to assist the A052’s wants. Vivek’s automotive sports activities 4° on the entrance, whereas the GRM Triple Menace ND used for our observe testing solely has 3°. Each the P1 and X1 are identified to choose much less camber than different tires, however both method, now we have three main contenders for this yr.
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