A little bit greater than a 12 months in the past, our preliminary check of the Vitour Tempesta P1 rocked our beginner motorsports world. Right here was a brand new tire that was clearly sooner than every thing else on the market, but it was made by an organization unknown in our circles and shepherded by a person with a historical past of …
Nankang Sportnex CR-S V2
As one of many quickest, most constant and sturdy tires within the class, the CR-S V2 has turn out to be a favourite for observe day fanatics and time assault opponents. Its warmth tolerance is famous, standing as much as abuse even on a sizzling day with out slowing.
The draw back is the necessity for some preliminary vitality to activate the compound, so it’s not an incredible alternative for autocross. Additional, Nankang has suffered importation documentation challenges all through 2024, making it unavailable for a time in lots of well-liked sizes. That scenario guarantees to be rectified for 2025, and a few new sizes are anticipated.
Because it wasn’t stone chilly, the CR-S V2 turned on with only a laborious out lap. It did achieve a bit extra tempo by lap two after which stabilized. We love the texture of this tire, encouraging you to push laborious all the way down to the apex and giving simply the correct amount of audible suggestions as you close to the restrict. Restoration from extreme asks is progressive with a minimal of time loss.
Yokohama Advan A052
On the opposite finish of the temperature spectrum is the A052. It wants little or no vitality to develop full grip, but it surely warmth soaks rapidly when labored laborious. That is excellent for the short-duration runs seen in autocross. This additionally makes it an incredible intermediate moist tire, as fixed dousing with water retains it within the excellent temperature window. These traits might be modified by shaving or carrying to decrease tread depths so the tire turns into extra constant–on the expense of extra prep to activate.
At full tread, the A052 is hard to maximise. The restrict of grip is excessive however imprecise, and excursions over it generate extra warmth that then slows the tire prematurely. Get it proper, although, and it’s a screamer. We explored a bit on lap one after which put all of it collectively on lap two earlier than the tire obtained sizzling and complained audibly. Nonetheless, this cooler day was kinder to the A052 than summertime use the place drop-off is extra dramatic.
Vitour Tempesta P1
On our out lap, we had been struck by the immediacy of the P1’s loaded steering response, which took a little bit of getting used to. Grip additionally got here in pretty rapidly, although we didn’t absolutely belief it on our first timed lap.
The primary flip has a 100 mph, flat-out, blind nook entry proper on the restrict–assuming the tires can deal with it. We gave up a pair tenths proper there however linked all of the dots on the second move. For the third lap, we had been once more timid on that one entry, however the remainder of the lap overlaid properly with the flyer. In order that’s three robust laps in a row, a far cry from the one first-lap flyers we noticed final 12 months. Bravo, Vitour.
Nankang Sportnex CR-S V2 (retest)
To bracket our check and confirm that circumstances hadn’t modified, we reran the primary tire–and obtained the identical outcomes as earlier than. Not stunning, because the climate was gentle and tremendous constant. Plus, we had been primarily alone that day on observe, so there no was no floor evolution from further visitors.
Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS
We had yet one more ace up our sleeve for at the present time. Alongside the Yokohama Advan A052 and Nankang Sportnex CR-S V2, the third leg of the Holy Trinity of 200tw tires is the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS.
With warmth traits touchdown squarely in between the opposite two, the RE-71RS has discovered a house each looking apex curbs and dodging cones. It wants just a bit warmth to activate and tolerates it nicely for a number of fast laps. Our check set was left over from a earlier check and had been worn to about 6/32 inch, so this wouldn’t be an ideal comparability. Nonetheless, knowledge is knowledge, so we threw them on. The lap occasions they then turned at the present time had been in keeping with these exhibited when full tread, giving us confidence of their veracity.
The RE-71RS has a reasonably direct really feel, with cornering hundreds constructing in linear vogue. It’s particularly good at mixed loading occasions, path braking simply and placing energy down early on nook exit. Breakaway is progressive with fast restoration. It’s a tire that evokes confidence.
Conclusions
The Vitour P1 once more delivered tempo nicely above the present prime canines in same-day testing, however this time it did so for a number of laps. Additional, we noticed not one of the extreme graining we observed final 12 months with our first set. What a distinction a 12 months makes.
However does this make it an overdog for competitors use? Perhaps. It’s actually not the improper reply.
Earlier than we go and put the Vitours on all of our competitors autos, we have to do some long-term testing to see what occurs at decrease tread depths. We’ve run 24s at Harris Hill earlier than on all of these different tires, however solely when tread depth is diminished. Will the P1 go sooner nonetheless with put on? Or will it keep in keeping with full-depth tempo? Watch this area for extra solutions.
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