Back in July 2000, we first published "Stick Like Gum", our story of semi-race tyres that are legal for your car. Since that time, various changes have been made, both to the tyres and the road rules here in Australia. So here we have the new and improved version...
At one time or another we're all been let down by a pedestrian set of tyres. You might have slid outa control around a fast bend or you might simply be tired of watching smoke clouds every time you drop the hammer. Either way, the frustration is immense. To help you out of this situation, here's our compilation of the stickiest semi-slick road tyres on the market...
Unlike the average tyre designed for Joe Blo, these semi-slicks have extra stiff side walls, minimal tread depth, a soft rubber compound and - obviously - they provide sensational dry surface grip.
But are semi-slicks really legal?
There's a simple way of identifying whether or not a tyre is legal for road use. If it has "DOT" or "E" written on the sidewall, it's passable - no probs. DOT is the US abbreviation for the Department of Transport, while "E" is the recognised European compliance symbol. Having said that, it wouldn't be unthinkable to get pulled over by the police for supposedly "bald tyres" - regardless of their technical legality. And we'd also strongly suggest that you check out your insurance coverage with a set of semi-slicks fitted - you don't want any loopholes that they can wiggle their way out of...
Comparing Specs
Where supplied, the Uniform Tyre Quality Grade (UTQG) data tells us about the details of a tyre. The areas quantified are tread wear, traction and temperature resistance.
Here's an example of a UTQG and how it can be broken down:
60-A-C ...where... 60 = treadwear, A = traction, C = temperature
The lower the treadwear number the softer the tyre is, while the following letters represent its traction and temperature resistance grade (A, B and C a la school grading order).
Road-Legal Semi-race Tyres Available...
Note that all of the tyres listed here are available in Australia and/or America - some countries may have the same tyre available under a different name. For comparative purposes, the prices quoted are for a 225/50 16 size (where possible).
BF Goodrich
"Hero-making traction and control come to the strip" is the catchphrase for the new BF Goodrich G-Force T/A Drag Radial. With a primary focus on quarter mile performance, the G-Force T/A Drag Radial is also street legal and features two full-width steel belts and 5.5/32nd of an inch tread depth giving maximum straight-line traction and predictability. It is also reputedly "comfortable to drive to and from the strip."
The new Drag Radial T/A is available in selected sizes between 215/60 14 and 345/30 18.
Speed Rating: Not available.
UTQG Rating: 0(yes, zero!)-B-C.
Approximate Price: Not available in 16-inch diameter, but 225/50 15 costs US$112.
Dunlop
The 'R' in any Dunlop tyre name represents its design for racing use while still being street legal.
There have been considerable changes in the R tyre's line-up. Things started off with the D98J (which is now effectively superseded but is still available in selective sizes), the D01J replaced the 98J (the 01J still readily available in all sizes) and, just recently, a new D02J has been introduced.
A wet weather version - the D93J - is also available in selective sizes.
Alongside these is the RSV 98 tyre, which combines the D98J's dry weather grip and the D93J's wet weather advantages - it's a good all-round tyre
From a technical perspective, the Formula R D98J (like the rest of the 'R' range) incorporates a reduced tread depth, high stability tread pattern, race type construction techniques as well as special tread compounds.
Formula Rs have won the Bathurst 12 Hour, the Eastern Creek 12 Hour, Targa Tasmania, three Peaks Rallies, Dutton's GP Rallies, Indy GP Rallies, the Panama Alaska Rally and more. Formula R's are available from 165/70 10 to 255/40 17, while the Formula RSV 98 comes in sizes ranging from 195/55 15 to 265/35 18.
Speed Rating/UTQG Rating: Not available.
Approximate Price: AUD$400
*Note - at present, it appears the only model available in 225/50 16 is the D01J.
Hoosier
Only just DOT approved is Hoosier's Radial A3S03/R3S03. These use an asymmetrical tread design with dual grooves around its perimeter, and very shallow tread impressions elsewhere on its footprint. It is the product of much laboratory experimentation and extensive track testing. They are also very lightweight.
Combined, the A3S03 and R3S03 are available in sizes from 185/60 13 to a massive 335/30 18.
Speed Rating: All Z rated.
UTQG Rating: 40-A-C
Approximate Price: US$180 - 195
Kumho
VictoRacer V700 is the premium performance tyre from the Kumho range. This product is fully moulded, features an excellent tread compound, asymmetric pattern to provide maximum cornering power - and it also has long tread life (hooray!). Improved traction (via large shoulder tread blocks) is given for maximum cornering and braking and its steering response is outstanding thanks to its stiff sidewalls. It also is mighty strong because of its nylon reinforced two steel belts. A tread depth of between 5 to 6/32nds of an inch indicates this to be an extreme performance tyre.
Victos come available from 205/60 13s up to 315/35 17s.
Speed Rating: V-rated in 13-14 inch sizes and Z-rated for 15-17 inchers.
UTQG Rating: 50-A-A.
Approximate Price: US$130 - 145
The Ecsta V700 is the latest competition based DOT-legal tyre from Kumho. The Ecsta V700 moulds Kumho's specially formulated high grip silica competition tread compound into a directional design that features wide tread ribs in the shoulders and intermediate tread blocks to maximize dry cornering grip while enhancing handling and tread life. Its directional tread design also helps provide wet traction when run at full tread depth. The Ecsta V700 is moulded with 6/32nd inch of tread depth in its two major circumferential grooves.
Kumho advises that this tyre must be shaved prior to use in dry conditions, otherwise excessive wear may occur.
Ecsta V700s come available from 175/60 13s up to 285/30 18s.
Speed Rating: H-rated in 175/60 13, V-rated in certain sizes up to 16-inch and Z-rated for the majority up to 18-inch.
UTQG Rating: 50-A-A.
Approximate Price: US$133 - 158
Pirelli
The P Zero C is Pirelli's most purposeful tyre that is legal for road use - although it is mainly intended for circuit use. It features "excellent road holding near the limit, constant performances under very high speeds and a high resistance to the physical/mechanical stresses arising from circuit use". With a ZR (240km/h) rating, the P Zero C also has an asymmetric tread design possessing extra large outer blocks "to allow maximum road holding and stability in bends". And don't forget the rhomboidal blocks in the inner area, which deliver good handling in the wet...
P Zero Cs are available in sizes starting from 195/50 15 up to 245/45 16.
Speed Rating: All ZR rated.
UTQG Rating: Not available.
Approximate Price: AUD$600 (depending on supply).
Yokohama
Yokohamas are amongst the most recognised of all the ultra-high performance tyres on the market, and more tyre outlets carry these than any other brand. Their relatively new A032R is a proven top performer - and it looks pretty damn impressive too. This tyre was designed primarily for the track and for driving school participants, but it also brings racing tyre design to the street. It provides terrific grip, with a pronounced and very functional tread that is 8/32nd inch deep for improved wet weather performance. Its tread also incorporates large tread blocks (to maximise road contact) and tapered edges to maximise wear and 'chunking' of the tyre.
The cool lookin' A032 is available in sizes from 175/60 13 to 275/40 17.
Speed Rating: These vary from H, V and Z, however, the larger ones are all Z rated.
UTQG Rating: 60-A-A
Approximate Price: AUD$430/ US$172 - 187
While the A008 series is no longer with us, a new series is now emerging - the A048. The A048 has a Y speed rating and a UTQG of 60-AA-A but, at this stage, sizes are very limited - the smallest available is for an 18-inch rim. We're told more sizes will become available in the next few months.
Bridgestone
The Potenza RE520S is Bridgestone's offering, which - like the earlier RE520S - has proven itself on many Australian club-racing cars. Both the 520 and 540 are directional tyres with a standard tread depth of 5.2mm and an extra-stiffened sidewall. This sidewall is rumoured to be amongst the firmest in this category of tyre.
The RE540S comes in a choice of sizes from 185/60 14 to the 265/35 18.
Speed Rating: In the RE540S range, the 60 series tyres are all H rated, the 50-55 series are all V rated and the 35-45 series are Z rated.
UTQG Rating: Not available.
Approximate Price: AUD$260
Falken
The Falken Azenis Sport is this company's most appropriate road legal tyre. However, it's also "for the weekend racing enthusiast" and has given good results in hill climbs and club sprint events in Australia. Available at an affordable price, the directional Azenis represents an excellent daily road tyre with weekend race capabilities. It uses a soft rubber compound and computer designed tread grooves to channel water away from the contact areas.
The Azenis is available most common sizes from 195/60 14 up to 255/40 17s.
Speed Rating: 60 series Azenis tyres are H rated, 50-55 series are V rated and the lowest profile (45 series) has a Z rating.
UTQG Rating: Not available.
Approximate Price: AUD$260
Toyo
Toyo's DOT approved competition radial is the Proxes RA-1 (and no, it's not "poxy")!
Designed for "touring racing", it uses steel wire reinforced sidewalls, an aggressive directional tread pattern with a 8/32-inch (6.35mm) depth for exceptional wet weather traction. Shaved down to 4/32 inches (3.2mm), it is claimed to dramatically drop your lap times. Internally it features two wide steel belts, jointless edge and cap construction as well as a special tread compound to optimise adhesion and durability. It is the exclusive control tyre for the Professional Sports Car Endurance Championship, and is a proven winner in autocross and car club events.
The Proxes RA-1 is available in a reasonable range of sizes from 205/60 13 to 235/45 17.
Speed Rating: The smaller RA-1s up to 225/50 14 are V rated, while the larger sizes are all Z rated.
UTQG Rating: 40-A-A.
Approximate Price: AUD$260.
Note - if there are any other DOT radials that we've not included, please let us know!
The Last Word...
Take your time choosing the right tyre for your car. It's important for you to bear in mind that a certain tyre might perform brilliantly on (for example) a rear-wheel-drive 300ZX, but prove to be a total flop when fitted to a front-wheel-drive Peugeot. And someone else's idea of sticking like you-know-what to a blanket might not be the same as yours either.
Unfortunately, there's no theoretical way of determining how successful any one set of tyres will be - more often than not, you're going purely by guesswork. Compounding the problem, consumers have little recourse if they aren't entirely satisfied with their purchase - which is often a reasonably expensive one. Because of this expensive suck-it-and-see situation, we'd thoroughly recommend arranging some sort of buy-back or exchange deal with your tyre shop if you aren't happy.
Good luck, though - you'll need to push them hard!
Contacts:
Yokohama, Pirelli -
North Terrace Tyres (South Australia)
+61 8 8362 2113
Falken, Toyo -
Tyre Power - Blackwood (South Australia)
+61 8 83702195
Dunlop -
City Discount Tyres - Reynella (South Australia)
+61 8 8387 3522
Hoosier, Bridgestone -
Kym Davis Tyres (South Australia)
+61 8 8332 0800
Hoosier, BF Goodrich, Yokohama, Kumho -
Tire Rack online (U.S.)
http://www.tirerack.com
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