The largest variable in efficiency? Tires.
However which of them are the proper match? It is determined by the automobile alternative, setup, guidelines, venue, climate and driving type. Finances and longevity may also affect this resolution.
We’re right here to assist with a synopsis of accessible choices culled from all our years of tire testing. All of the tires listed below are DOT-approved, which implies they will legally be pushed on the road–even when that’s not an incredible concept.
Whereas right this moment’s market concentrates on the Tremendous 200 tires so prevalent in autocross, time trials and endurance racing, we branched out to incorporate fashions that aren’t restricted by that UTQG determine.
To make this information simple to comply with–scroll previous this chart to dive deeper by class–we’ve grouped tires by their meant mission: Tremendous 200s, Endurance 200s, Endurance/Monitor, Road-Authorized Monitor, R-Comps and Finances UHP.
Find out how to learn this chart:
We’ve assembled this chart to be a fast reference to decide on the correct tire for the correct venue. For GRM’s up to date tire information and previous tire assessments, go to grassrootsmotorsports.com/tires. Entire letter grades–AAA, AA, A, B, C, D–point out main grading steps, whereas + and – are used for minor changes between them.
- Autocross: Select A or AA for warmup and B or higher for time trial tempo.
- Time trials: Select by time trial tempo and put on.
- Lapping days: Select by warmth tolerance and put on.
- Road and observe: Select by warmth tolerance, put on and moist climate efficiency.
Up to date November 2025
These are quick tires for autocross and single-lap time trials that meet the 200tw scores. All are able to a reasonably related single-lap time trial or autocross tempo, although every goes about it in numerous methods.
Vitour Tempesta P1
One of many quickest 200tw tires we have ever examined, the Tempesta P1 is fast to activate–one exhausting lap, in our case–and presents plentiful grip, an eagerness to dive into corners with progressive breakaway and restoration. A number of robust laps can be found earlier than warmth soak units in and tempo slows a bit.
Bridgestone Potenza RE–71RS
Our preliminary take a look at of the RE–71RS discovered a tire that’s very fast out of the field whereas offering robust grip and suggestions–it’s up there on the pointy finish of the sector. Despire a number of newcomers since that first take a look at, the RE–71RS stays one of many quicker tires in its class.
Yokohama Advan A052
A well-liked alternative among the many 200tw frontrunners, the A052 just isn’t with out its caveats. The A052 presents its finest efficiency when paired with a shallower tread depth, wider wheels and many camber. Moreover, it is an costly tire that is solely out there in choose sizes. Nevertheless, the tire wants just about no warmth to activate and it is even good within the moist, as long as there’s no vital standing water to trigger hydroplaning.
Nankang Sportnex CR-S V2
The revised model of the CR-S, though it required some warmth to construct up optimum grip, was remarkably constant in our testing.
Original Nankang CR-S vs. Revised Nankang Sportnex CR-S vs. Bridgestone Potenza RE–71RS
BFGoodrich g-Power Rival S 1.5
Earlier than the A052 stole the present, the large battle was BFG versus Bridgestone. The Rival wants a bit of extra warmth to work, however stays within the sport even longer than the RE-71R. That is nice for lapping or two-driver autocrossing, however a bit of tough for chilly and or moist days. And whereas not as crisp because the Bridgestone, the BFG permits one to drive at bigger slip angles seemingly with impunity.
Falken Azenis RT660+
After 5 years, Falken up to date its RT660, giving us the RT660+. In our testing, one of the notable variations of the RT660+ was that we have been in a position to brake later than with the RT660, particularly beneath trailing circumstances, but nonetheless nail the apexes. Whereas single-lap tempo will not be as fast as a number of the different frontrunners, the RT660+ is constant and sturdy, making it well-suited to trace days and endurance racing.
Kumho Ecsta V730
We actually just like the V730 because it does certainly honor the standard Kumho traits for drivability, consistency and longevity. Whereas not the quickest on single-lap tempo, it’s proper within the combine and offers many probabilities at nailing nice laps any time in a session–name it almost as fast because the Falken Azenis RT660 and nearly as constant because the Hankook Ventus R-S4–so, mainly, one other contender.
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3
Responsiveness of the Goodyear is just like the Rival S, however grip activates faster and stays lively lap after lap. Word that the smaller sizes of this tire (sub-265mm part) come molded deeper and with extra void, in order that they don’t carry out fairly as nicely. This can be a nice triple-threat tire: cones, laps, every day.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 Join (240)
OE fitment on a number of the world’s quickest sports activities automobiles, the SC2 has been a staple of the observe day scene for a few years. The transfer from the 180-treadwear ranking of the previous Cup 2 to this tire’s 240 ranking, it ought to be famous, is extra of a advertising and marketing change than a efficiency one. Consider it as a optimistic iteration of each grip and consistency/longevity via know-how. In brief, this tire isn’t any slower than its predecessor, regardless of transferring out of the Monitor Use solely class. Its principal attribute? Grip. A lot of it. That stated, it could actually let go in a rush if you happen to ask for an excessive amount of. However for most folk, it’s going to ship lap after lap of enjoyment.
Dunlop Direzza ZIII
The Dunlop ZIII is likely to be an older 200tw tire, however Tire Rack nonetheless strikes quite a lot of them. Why? Worth and out there sizes, because it is available in a Miata-friendly 195/50R15. That is additionally a good selection for twin use, with stable efficiency in each moist and dry circumstances. We final examined it in 2018, and the Dunlop ran inside a half-second of each the RE-71R and Rival S 1.5.
Toyo Proxes R1R
This tire is lengthy within the tooth, however nonetheless a viable alternative for triple responsibility. The R1R was as soon as the darling of the autocross world, particularly within the magical 195/50R15 sizing. Its glorious grip and tossability nonetheless delivers robust efficiency worth within the canyons, across the cones, and hitting apexes. You may not win a nationwide championship, however you’ll smile each time you flip the wheel.
Bridgestone Potenza Race
This tire finds a house within the market for these trying to put down constant, high-quality laps whereas nonetheless delivering glorious highway manners. The RE–71RS remains to be higher for single-lap time trial competitors, however you’ll pay a streetability, consistency and longevity value for that tempo.
Nexen N’Fera Sport R
Nexen has been dabbling within the 200tw class for a number of product cycles, and the Sport R is its newest providing. A really fast tire off the road with a large plateau of grip, although will ultimately warmth soak after a session or two.
Maxxis Victra VR2
Though claimed to be as aggressive because the RE–71RS, the VR2 was a lot slower than the Nankang CR-S V2 in our testing. After evaluating notes with a racing group utilizing a special dimension than we examined, we plan to revisit the VR2 when extra sizes develop into out there.
These tires commerce some velocity for consistency and lengthy life whereas nonetheless assembly the 200tw necessities. Working endurance races? Seeking to get a full season out of a single set of 200tw tires? Would possibly wish to begin the search right here.
Vitour Tempesta Enzo V-01R
Superior to the Continental ExtremeContact Power in single-lap tempo, although it falls off to a constant deficit of no less than half a second after just a few fast laps.
Hankook Ventus RS4
All hail the king of grassroots endurance racing. No tire has racked up extra enduro wins or led extra laps than the RS4. It’s the gold customary towards which all others are measured. Wears like iron, however can nonetheless ship a tempo that’s inside a second or two of the Tremendous 200s—and achieve this all day lengthy. It does want some warmth to return in, however loves residing within the furnace of heavy lateral loading. This additionally makes it preferrred for weekly lapping periods the place no trophies are on the road. The one draw back is that Han- kook tends to promote out of well-liked sizes yearly within the fall, although often replenishes inventory within the spring.
Maxxis Victra VR-1
The Maxxis supplied super-responsive efficiency. It dove all the way down to apexes far more simply than the Hankook. It additionally required little or no warmup, netting its finest lap time on the very first circuit–and matching the Hankook’s single finest. Because the Maxxis heated up, although, response dropped off, the tire bought a bit of mushy, and lap occasions slowed a bit. The Maxxis is an incredible different when the RS4 is offered out, although.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S
One tire to work in all circumstances, one tire to rule all of them. That is the one. If the bottom’s not frozen, this tire will carry out. Chilly and damp? Received you lined. Standing water? No downside. Heat and dry? Nonetheless fast. Chosen every year by nearly all of the sector for the Tire Rack One Lap of America, this tire can simply put down fast laps at each venue regardless of the climate—and nonetheless do the 3800 miles of transit wanted for the week and not using a trace of drama. Steering response is massively authoritative, though the tire is usually a little edgy on the restrict because it heats up in dry lapping circumstances. Obtainable in an enormous number of sizes, together with many OE fitments. Its value matches its capabilities.
Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02
Up to date in 2023, the ExtremeContact Sport 02 can match the Michelin PS4S for grip, however it’s forward in its skill to chop via standing water. The Conti’s steering response feels a bit imprecise and it doesn’t final so long as the Michelin, but it surely’s additionally priced considerably decrease.
Continental ExtremeContact Power
The Continental ExtremeContact Power posted a transparent half-second common over the Hankook RS4 and related consistency–plus a bonus of rapid cold-tire grip. The latter could possibly be crucial on cooler race mornings. After 90-minute periods, each the ExtremeContact Power and Hankook RS4 exhibited related put on traits–not fairly a 1/32 of an inch. The ExtremeContact Power does price greater than its competitors, nonetheless.
BFGoodrich g-Power Rival +
In search of a constantly fast and sturdy tire for endurance racing or observe day use? The BFGoodrich g-Power Rival + could possibly be an appropriate choice. In our testing, we discovered the Rival + forgiving to drive on observe, although lap occasions bought progressively slower as the warmth soaked in.
Yokohama Advan Neova AD09
Extra highway and endurance centered than Yokohama’s A052, the AD09 took a lap to essentially are available in, and as soon as there was edgy on the restrict. Nevertheless, the AD09 did not lose any efficiency throughout our testing session, and we discovered it each simple and intuitive to get better once we slipped previous the tire’s limits.
This class is a tick quicker than the Endurance 200s, but nonetheless in it for the lengthy haul. Whereas these tires don’t meet the 200tw requirement usually present in endurance racing, they will nonetheless work for these doing lap days.
Nankang AR-1
Though it’s rated at 100tw, this one has all of the traits of a stable 200tw tire. Tempo is on par with most of that bunch, as is the standard output sample of a single quick lap, adopted by various laps at a few half-second slower tempo. Really feel is just like the Goodyear SC3 or Rival S. Word that this tire advantages from a great warmth cycle earlier than delivering optimum efficiency.
Nitto NT01
Just like the Nankang AR-1, that is one other 100tw observe day particular that delivers on par with right this moment’s Tremendous-200s for single-lap tempo. However it could actually repeat that trick lap after lap, session after session—all the best way to the cords. Sizing and availability are considerably restricted, but it surely’s nonetheless a favourite amongst many observe rats.
Toyo Proxes RA1
The identical guardian firm owns each Nitto and Toyo, with the Toyo RA-1 primarily a Nitto NT-01 with a special tread design—and a really intelligent one at that. When run at full-tread depth of 8/32 inch, it cuts via water with ease. Shaving to six/32 improves dry traction and consistency. At 4/32, the lateral grooves disappear, whereas optimum dry efficiency comes at 3/32 the place solely two circumferential grooves stay.
Toyo Proxes R888R
One other well-liked tire for lapping, this one is available in an enormous number of sizes. Just like the NT-01, tempo is on par with the Tremendous 200s, however consistency is the true sport right here. Simply don’t get caught out in a storm, because the tread sample is optimized for dry use solely.
Toyo Proxes RR
That is Toyo’s final expression of a DOT-legal tire optimized for competitors use solely. With a light-weight casing, 4/32-inch tread depth and a slick tread sample, it wears its “Not for Freeway Use” markings proudly. Although it’s rated at solely 40tw, it performs on par with the others in our Endurance 100 grouping. NASA even permits it to compete as a 100tw of their Tremendous Touring and Time Trials lessons.
Toyo Proxes R
Toyo’s substitute for the Proxes RR, the Proxes R delivered efficiency akin to the Bridgestone RE–71RS in our testing, warming up rapidly and providing a sharper response and improved braking over its predecessor. The Proxes RR has additionally been chosen by a number of NASA spec racing lessons for 2025.
Maxxis Victra RC-1
Maxxis has up to date the compound for its Victra RC-1, with this new R2 rubber promising improved grip and longevity. Our newest testing discovered this new, softer compound to delay response simply sufficient to offer a extra regular and pure really feel. In comparison with the unique model, grip is up whereas occasions are down.
This class consists of DOT-approved observe and autocross tires not saddled with a 200tw ranking. Bored with pointing people by? Seeking to embarrass higher equipment? Bolt on a set of those and win that subsequent observe day.
Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperCar 3R
This one is magic, merely magic. All the good traits of its 220tw cousin, plus a compound that hooks like a serious league curve baller. Braking, ahead chunk, lateral grip—it does all of it on the highest degree and continues to ship for complete periods, although the primary lap or two are usually the quickest. As with a racing slick, you’ll have to put some vital vitality into the tire earlier than full dedication, although. Nevertheless it’s a small value to pay for such a giant payoff.
Hoosier TrackAttack Professional
Designed to compete towards tires just like the Goodyear F1 SuperCar 3R, Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R, Hoosier’s TrackAttack Professional does carry a treadwear ranking of 200–although just isn’t accredited for SCCA competitors as a result of its 5/32-inch tread depth doesn’t meet the 7/32-inch minimal.
Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R
This one is a bit of fuzzy, since so lots of the dimension choices are OE fitments with very particular traits that fluctuate from customary. We examined the generic model and located it to be on tempo with the Goodyear SC3R for a single magic lap, however then a little bit of a fall-off ensued. The Pirelli was additionally much less forgiving.
With regards to the trendy R-comp race tire market, Hoosier at present owns it with very quick lap occasions and minimal concessions to road use—simply sufficient to earn that DOT approval—though Goodyear not too long ago rejoined the section.
Hoosier R7
No purchaser’s information to motorsports tires could be full with out Hoosier. Availability in each dimension conceivable and a protracted document of success make it exhausting to wager towards the crew from Indiana—ought to your guidelines and pockets allow. This tire is pricey and does heat-cycle out pretty rapidly, however the lightning-quick response is with out peer, as are the extent and consistency of grip.
Hoosier A7
Need to go even quicker? Right here’s the highest tire of all of the DOT-approved R-comps. Stamped “Not for Freeway Use” proper there on the sidewall, this tire is optimized for one objective solely: going quick round cones or a highway course. It doesn’t final lengthy, sizing is extra restricted than the R7, and it’ll put a stable dent in your funds—however when you’ve got the means, and your guidelines enable, it’s exhausting to wager towards the A7.
Yokohama Advan A055
Yokohama has rejoined the R-comp fray with its new Advan A055. We discovered the tire to be very responsive with full grip instantly–could possibly be nice for autocross. Restoration was a bit lazy when overdriven mid-corner, and it was rather less adept at mixed loading than the Hoosier, however nonetheless fairly good. Our 205/50R15 take a look at tire appeared a bit on the slender facet, although.
Goodyear Eagle RS
We’ve had nice time-trial success with the Goodyear Eagle RS on our Corvette undertaking, and SCCA GT2 racers have been flattening lap information as nicely. We discover the Goodyear Eagle RS to be quickest within the first one or two periods after an preliminary warmth cycle. There’s a slight drop-off after that, but efficiency stays secure via no less than the subsequent six to 10 warmth cycles. The Eagle RS is predictable and communicative, however wants a bit of warmth to work on observe. They aren’t a first-lap marvel just like the Hoosier A7, however when you get some temperature in them, they’re the equal of something on the market. They’re additionally very communicative when you exceed the specified temp vary, permitting you to get the tires “again beneath you” and doing a great job of letting when it’s time to assault once more. Total, the Goodyear Eagle RS is an R-compound that may maintain its personal with something on a highway course, however the want for some temperature makes it suboptimal for autocross.
Kenda Vezda UHP Max+ KR20A
The up to date Kenda Vezda UHP Max+ KR20A improves on the texture of the unique, though its general tempo just isn’t considerably improved, and it may be noisy on the highway. For what it is price, the Max+ is without doubt one of the least costly choices in its class and set some actually aggressive occasions in our testing. , it set the quickest time of our funds choices.
Falken Azenis RT615K+
As the ultimate installment within the decade-old 615 line, this tire blends a pleasant mixture of dry and moist efficiency, with stable put on traits. A bit loud on the road, but it surely’s proper at dwelling delivering a lot of observe laps or autocross runs. Whereas supplanted by the RT660 in general tempo, the RT-615K+ stays a well-liked alternative for dual-duty or endurance use.
X Comp H/P
What the H/P lacks in tempo, it makes up for in worth. If you happen to’re after a larger-sized tire–like those frequent on some fashionable efficiency automobiles just like the Mustang, Cayman or Camaro–that will not break the financial institution, then the H/P might fit your wants nicely.
BFGoodrich G-Power Phenom T/A
Response was full of life in our testing, although with vital audible suggestions on the restrict and far earlier breakaway than we’re used to with Tremendous 200 tires. A light-weight contact is required In an effort to profit from the out there grip with out exceeding its limits.
Firestone Firehawk Indy 500
A talkable tire on observe, the Indy 500 proved to be enjoyable to drive and well-mannered, although we discovered the restrict got here early. Because of this, general tempo suffered.
Valino VR08GP
If you need a set of tires that can ship a full 12 months of use, this Valino providing makes an incredible choice. Our take a look at confirmed imperceptible put on and nice dealing with traits, although not almost as a lot grip because the others within the class. Pricing can be pleasant.
Feedback
A lot of attention-grabbing data right here, and a few stuff that I wasn’t conscious of, just like the return of the BFG Rival.
Thanks GRM for placing this collectively!
I am actually excited to see what the brand new Continental/Hoosier collab tire does.
Thanks for this massive take a look at GRM! Now to go purchase some extra tires…
What’s tread depth sensitivity? Tire efficiency in relation to put on?
These are tires that profit considerably from shaving. Put on to a decrease depth may even assist, however might put detrimental warmth cycles on the tire on the identical time.
Anyone know the place to get the coopers beside excessive? They have no within the 245 15 dimension in inventory for the dry tire.
thashane stated:
What’s tread depth sensitivity? Tire efficiency in relation to put on?
Tread block squirm… taller tread blocks are susecptible to transferring or squirming and never having the responsiveness or put on that’s most fascinating.
I’m operating CR1 in 245/40/15 in autocross and to date I actually like them!
Very quick and constant!
wvumtnbkr stated:
Anyone know the place to get the coopers beside excessive? They have no within the 245 15 dimension in inventory for the dry tire.
Checking on that now for you.
Can we get a definitive reply to this query (if one exists)? Triangles on the sidewall. Wut?
Thanks!
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