Each tire take a look at we conduct represents however a single information level, and although we attempt to decrease variables in our comparability course of, there’ll all the time be the possibility that completely different outcomes might be obtained with completely different climate, venue, driver, car and setup. So what can we do? Take a look at once more.
Once we in contrast the present crop of R-comp tires a yr in the past–these are the theoretically street-legal tires solely designed for monitor work–we used our One Lap CRX and located that the Goodyear Eagle RS DOT lacked in a key front-wheel-drive high quality: mixed loading. It was not glad when the entrance tires had been requested to concurrently flip and speed up or decelerate.
Maybe they’d carry out higher in a rear-drive utility like our Triple Threat ND Miata venture automobile? Another excuse to retest.
We additionally modified the relative sizing used for this take a look at. Each the Hoosier R7 and the Goodyear Eagle RS DOT are bodily giant for his or her marked measurement, whereas the Yokohama Advan A055 higher aligns with the business’s customary dimensions. Through the use of tires all marked with the identical measurement, final yr’s outcomes probably penalized the slender Yokohama.
This yr, we selected tire widths that had been extra dimensionally equitable–so meaning 225/40R17 for the Hoosier and the Goodyear and 245/40R17 for the Yokohama. When mounted on our 17×9-Kogeki wheels from Flyin’ Miata, every tire had a superbly supported, straight-up sidewall with very comparable tread widths.
As it’s with portray a automobile, preparation is vital to optimum tire efficiency. Every set of tires was given a six-lap warmth cycle previous to precise testing after which allowed to chill for twenty-four hours earlier than subsequent use. This circumstances the rubber, permitting for extra grip and higher temperature management.
From left to proper: Goodyear Eagle RS DOT, Yokohama Advan A055, Hoosier R7. Images Credit score: Andy Hollis
Spherical 1: Yokohama vs. Hoosier
We got permission to share partial outcomes from our personal developmental work that in contrast a brand new tire to each the Hoosier R7 and Yokohama A055. In that take a look at, the prototype tire was run at each the start and finish of the take a look at, and whereas we will’t disclose the precise information, the 2 classes produced comparable outcomes, so we’re assured that we efficiently minimized variables in our comparability.
For logistical causes, we lapped Harris Hill Raceway, our regular monitor for tire testing, within the atypical counterclockwise route. Climate was cloudy all through with temperatures hovering within the low 70s.
Yokohama Advan A055
- measurement: 245/40R17
- quickest lap: 1:25.02
The Advan A055 got here as much as temp fairly shortly, and full grip was out there after a few lap and a half. Steering response was extraordinarily progressive, with small inputs making more and more bigger turning moments as cornering masses elevated.
Breakaway was a bit edgy, particularly on the rear of the automobile. This required fixed consideration to constantly drive on the restrict, however the tire’s tempo by no means slowed. Trying on the information, there was not more than a tenth or two out there by combining one of the best sections.
Hoosier R7
- measurement: 225/40R17
- quickest lap: 1:25.08
The R7 took a number of laps to construct warmth and absolutely activate the compound. Driving traits had been very pure: medium response, progressive breakaway. The tire was particularly good at mixed loading asks–like trail-braking together with corner-exit power-up.
Dealing with steadiness shifted to a slight oversteer, although, leading to a spin on the fourth lap in Turn2. It’s an particularly tough part to get constantly within the clockwise format, requiring trail-braking, a downshift and a subsequent energy squeeze simply because the automobile crests some bumps. Add tire swaps to the equation, and errors can occur.
Sadly, the spin overheated the rear tires, and subsequent laps didn’t ship the identical stage of grip. Trying on the information, although, the quickest lap had all one of the best segments.
Spherical 2: Including Goodyear to the Combine
When speaking R-comps, what about Goodyear? We’d been instructed that its Eagle RS DOT not too long ago acquired an up to date compound.
A month later, an ideal climate window opened up simply after the brand new Goodyears arrived. With these mounted and heat-cycled, we loaded them up together with our two-cycle Yokohamas and Hoosiers. This may give a slight benefit to the Goodyears, however given how far again they positioned within the final take a look at, we had been okay with that.
Take a look at day dawned within the low 50s, with temps climbing to 60 by our morning of lapping. Tires had been saved in our motor house at about 70 levels till referred to as to motion. We ran Harris Hill Raceway in our regular counterclockwise route.
Goodyear Eagle RS DOT
- measurement: 225/40R17
- quickest lap: 1:27.4
Regardless of the low monitor temps, the Goodyear compound turned on instantly. Response of the Eagle RS was a bit sluggish in comparison with the others, nonetheless, and breakaway was obscure.
A lot because it did final yr, although, the Goodyear delivered robust longitudinal grip–each braking and placing down energy–however solely when the steering wheel was largely straight. Mixed loading was not its robust swimsuit, nor was mid-corner grip. It was particularly sad in Turns 2 and 5, the place arduous braking is shortly adopted by uphill, off-camber turning.
Hoosier R7
- measurement: 225/40R17
- quickest lap: 1:25.4
As earlier than, the R7 took a bit time to return in however then delivered some constant laps earlier than falling off a bit. Knowledge evaluation confirmed about two extra tenths out there for the proper lap.
Yokohama Advan A055
- measurement: 245/40R17
- quickest lap: 1:25.0
But once more, the Yokohama was very constant and quick after a single warmup lap. Per the information, nothing was left on the desk on that single flyer.
Goodyear Eagle RS DOT (retest)
- measurement: 225/40R17
- quickest lap: 1:27.2
Because of the added familiarity, we had been capable of extract a bit extra tempo out of the Goodyear on the retest, however doing so put a lot warmth into the tire that it fell off before within the earlier session. Nonetheless, it was shut sufficient that we had been snug that monitor evolution was not a think about our outcomes.
Who Gained This Spherical?
The large takeaway from this yr’s testing was the tempo and consistency of the Yokohama Advan A055. When bodily sizing is considered, it’s the equal of the vaunted Hoosier R7–and that’s saying one thing.
This makes the Yokohama a robust possibility for lessons like NASA Tremendous Touring that govern through sizing templates, or in instances the place bodily wheel nicely packaging is the defining restrict. Given the distinctly completely different dealing with traits, each the Yokohama and Hoosier must be tried to see which finest matches the automobile and driver.
Sadly, we simply by no means related with the up to date Goodyear. On a relative foundation, it was no faster for us than final yr, and the accelerated put on was regarding. Whereas the sample was pretty even, suggesting our pressures and camber had been good, it was closely grained. We even ran them once more a few days after this take a look at in hotter climate with no higher outcomes. At that time, with solely 40 laps on the clock, the tread cap started to put on by.
However Goodyear has had good success on the SCCA Nationwide Championship Runoffs on huge vehicles with huge energy, so maybe we simply want a quicker take a look at mule to seek out its candy spot. That stated, they had been not too long ago chosen because the spec tire for SCCA’s B-Spec class of small, low-powered, front-drive econoboxes for 2024. We’ll be watching intently.
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