Latest Super 200 tires tested: Bridgestone RE-71RZ...

First, a Prequel: Vitour P1 vs. Vitour X1

Whereas ready for our delayed Bridgestones to reach, we began with the Vitours. Check situations have been 70 levels and sunny, so afternoon observe temps have been near triple digits.

As the info reveals, each tires set equivalent quick instances however did so at completely different factors within the session: Whereas the P1 wanted some observe time to work as much as its full potential, the X1 instantly delivered full grip. The truth is, we tip-toed round a lot of the X1’s out lap in order to not overheat it too shortly whereas pushing the P1 exhausting.

Each tires ultimately soaked and slowed a bit, however the X1 did a lot sooner than the P1. In brief, the X1 has the warm-up and consistency traits of a Yokohama Advan A052 with the grip of the P1–a pleasant mixture for autocross and TT.

The Primary Occasion: The Newest Tremendous 200 Tires from Bridgestone and Vitour

Check day dawned gentle and cloudy with temps within the 70s. These clouds began to interrupt by the second session of the rotation, with full solar by the fourth. Temps would climb to mid 80s by the tip of the day.

Earlier than beginning our precise testing, we did a session on a set of scrubs to scrub the in a single day mud off the observe and dial in our driving to this class of tires. As soon as issues stabilized, we fired up the lap timer and set to work.

Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS

• Quick Lap Spherical 1: 1:24.92
• Quick Lap Spherical 2: 1:24.96

On the Highway: The RE-71RS gives progressive steering with responsiveness rising as velocity and cargo ramps-up. At freeway speeds, it displays a robust on-center really feel for relaxed cruising. Its stiff carcass transmits each bump, although the softer compound soaks up the extra minor irregularities. The blocky tread design trades top-of-the-line cornering efficiency for a continuing freeway drone that solely will get worse because the tread wears.

On the Monitor: At full tread, the RE-71RS comes as much as temp in a short time in heat climate, so we have been cautious to remain effectively underneath the restrict on the out-lap. This method was rewarded with a robust flyer on lap 1 and thru the primary half of the second lap. Tempo then progressively fell off for the following a number of laps. When cool, the RS is very good at mixed loading occasions, trail-braking simply and placing energy down early on nook exit. Because the tire warms, these areas fall off.

Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RZ

• Quick Lap Spherical 1: 1:25.62
• Quick Lap Spherical 2: 1:25.08

On the Highway: The Bridgestone RE-71RZ was nearly a twin to the RS. Similar primary traits, although possibly a contact extra responsive and rather less harsh in journey high quality.

On the Monitor: The RE-71RZ delivers a bit livelier really feel however is clearly a sibling of the RS. Grip feels greater, although information evaluation reveals it isn’t. As an alternative, there’s a dealing with trait which helps flip the automotive extra as hundreds method the restrict. This inspired us to place a bit an excessive amount of power into the tire on the out lap in Spherical 1 and we missed the optimum window for a flyer–extra about this and the second spherical of testing in a minute.

Vitour Tempesta P1 X-01R

• Quick Lap Spherical 1: 1:25.57
• Quick Lap Spherical 2: 1:25.29

On the Highway: The X1 is taut and responsive on clean roads, with a medium centering drive and small steering useless zone. Its smooth compound soaks up street irregularities properly, and its tread design has no drone.

On the Monitor: Having pushed the X1 already within the prequel, we knew it was greatest with solely average power prep in these heat situations. After a cautious out-lap, we hit it exhausting onto the entrance straight solely to overcook the primary flip, a high-energy, full-throttle 100 mph sweeper proper on the restrict adopted by heavy braking right into a gradual, downhill run onto a bent straight. We fastened that on the following cross, however corner-exit grip was starting to fade as warmth constructed up.

Vitour Tempesta P1 P-01R

• Quick Lap Spherical 1: 1:25.13
• Quick Lap Spherical 2: 1:25.30

On the Highway: The P1’s street traits are virtually a carbon copy of the X1, excluding having a harsher journey high quality.

On the Monitor: Steering response is extra speedy with P1 than the Bridgestone choices, and breakaway a little bit simpler to handle. Having important expertise with this tire, we knew the right way to prep it completely on the out-lap. Additional, this explicit set was a veteran of a number of different exams, so it had rather less tread, giving it a bit extra consistency. It delivered three and a half stable laps all inside a few tenths.

Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS (retest)

• Quick Lap Spherical 1: 1:24.96
• Quick Lap Spherical 2: 1:24.87

On the finish of this primary rotation of testing, we re-ran the RE-71RS to confirm that the altering climate had not affected our outcomes. Additional, we weren’t alone on observe at the present time, so observe evolution was a threat issue. Thankfully, none of that appeared to have any important affect as our bracketing session mirrored the opening session virtually identically.

Act 2: Ought to the New Tires Have Been Quicker?

New tires current new challenges, and far might be discovered throughout these preliminary laps. We didn’t really feel that we had given a good shake to the brand new Bridgestone, and the prequel testing confirmed that the brand new X1 ought to have run quicker, too.

The bracket session dominated out different components. What to do? One other spherical, please.

This time we have been extra cautious on the out-laps with each the RZ and X1, mainly tiptoeing round. And we have been rewarded with higher flyers for each.

The Bridgestone RS and Vitour P1 repeated their earlier performances, the previous doing so twice as we did a ultimate bracket affirmation on the finish. We solely did three laps every this time since we have been solely fascinated by flyers.

The Sequel

With good comparative information now in hand, we went again to the observe two days later for one more go. This time, we overlooked the older Bridgestone RE-71RS and Vitour P1, swapping in a set of Yokohama Advan A052 tires leftover from our long-term test program.

These Yokohamas had been worn to a tread depth of a little bit underneath 2/32 inch and have been of their prime. That year-long comparability had proven how each the RE-71RS and A052 gained tempo as tread was worn down, erasing the full-tread benefit the P1 had as soon as displayed. Be aware that situations have been a lot cooler for that preliminary full-tread information level.

Tempo vs. depth chart from the long-term take a look at program.

We flipped the run order to cancel out any familiarity bias, and we ended up with very constant information by two full rotations. Beneath cloudy skies and mid-70-degree ambients, the delta between the Bridgestone RZ and the Vitour X1 was a little bit bigger on at the present time.

As anticipated, although, the worn A052 dominated, though its edgy nature made it a problem to attach all of the dots on any given lap. Whereas we don’t know but how both the X1 or RZ will carry out at decrease depths, this follow-up train reveals there may be undoubtedly a spot to be crammed.

Conclusions

So, what did we study?

On pure tempo, we’re going to name this one a useless warmth. Each tire on this take a look at can ship a smoking-fast flyer. The actual story is within the particulars.

As we’ve seen previously, full-tread Tremendous 200 tires are topic to warmth soak when pushed exhausting on observe. Getting them within the optimum temperature window and holding them there may be key to greatest efficiency.

That’s the fundamental distinction between Vitour’s new X1 and the unique P1 P-01R compound. The previous activates instantly, whereas the latter wants extra power however tolerates it higher. On condition that, the X1 goes to be the higher alternative for autocross, with the P1 a greater observe day tire. Both can work for time trials in the best situations, delivering sufficient consistency to offer a number of quick laps.

At full tread, each the brand new and outgoing Bridgestones act like autocross tires on observe. They want cautious prep and ship a single glorious flyer lap earlier than slowly dropping tempo as residual power builds. Earlier testing has proven that the RS will get much more constant on observe and good points important tempo at decrease tread depths on the expense of needing a bit extra power for prep. We count on the RZ to take action as effectively and will likely be revisiting to substantiate.

One large factor we seen with the brand new Bridgestone: As promised, it appears extra sturdy. We’ve at all times discovered the RE-71RS to considerably grain when first put into use, whereas the RZ resists this. That graining slows the tire’s tempo till it wears off. With the brand new tire, there’s the promise of nailing extra quick laps.

Right here’s the primary lap flyer for the Bridgestone RE-71RZ overlayed with the third lap. Grip falls off throughout and after high-energy occasions like sustained cornering and heavy trail-braking.

{Photograph} by Andy Hollis

As promised, the brand new Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RZ doesn’t grain just like the outgoing tire.