Hey guys, I have my new wheels coming in next week and I will be buying tires once I get them. Here are the wheels:

http://www.irs.co.jp/oversea/products/es/T4/T4.html

18 x 8 size. I will be using them for autocross mostly...some track days. I need a suggestion as to what would be the best tire specs for the autocrossing. Any pointers would be very helpful. Up until now all I have really done is rallycrossing.

Thanks

 

It depends on what class you'll be in and at what level you want to compete. Plus, if you're asking US what the best tires are, then chances are you have no experience and shouldn't be using the best tires available. We can provide solid suggestions when we know all of your details. FYI, I would not have suggested 18X8s on a Lancer if their main purpose was racing.

 

NT01 245-40-18

You can get them for $750 shipped from discount tire direct (if you watch for a sale).

 

I will be in STX class as the new wheels are 8" wide and I have a couple modifications as well. And yes, like I said....the experience I have is rallycross, so I dont have the autocross experience.

 

i like toyo ra1's but i don't know if they work for your class.

 

Then you are limited to street tires above a certain rating, so that makes a big difference. You're going to want Bridgestone RE-01Rs in whatever size fits best. We know what fits Evos, but the 08 Lancer is a new platform.

 

Well, let me ask this...I am looking to purchase Falkens...why, Im not even going to bother bringing up

Basically, I need the treadwear higher than 140 and not an R compound tire....

So...I could use these correct?

http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?ti...model=FK%2D452

Also for autocross, an explination of why a 245 would be better than a 225 would be appreciated.

 

FK-452? Those are not for racing. They are "luxury sport" tires...like for a Lexus sedan. Any 140+ treadwear will not be an R-Comp, and even the best Falken tire (RT-615) is not competitive in STX. The RT-615 would be good as a daily driver that sees occasional track use, but you started this thread asking for the BEST tire. Now, you're looking at one of the worst possible for racing...

A 245 would be better, because it provides a lot more contact patch, so you have more grip, better handling, better braking, etc. However, it needs to fit well on the rim (245 is good for 8"), and it needs to all fit in your wheelwell nicely.

 

Hmm...ok thank you for the quick and to the point answers. I guess I will have to look at other tires then

 

I second the Bridgestone RE-01Rs.

 

Bridgestone RE-01Rs will work very well...

 

.... but not as good as an RA1, NT01, V710, or Victoracer.

 

None of which are legal in STX...

 

the only 2 competitive tires in stx are the bridgestone reo1r's and the yokohama neova's. i think the bridegstone are better.
if you want a tire that is fun, cheap, and dont really care about how competitive it is, then the falken rt-615 would work for you

 

If your not serious about autocrossing/tracking the car and don't plan on getting a set of wheels for just racing (ie. put them on at the track and take them off at the track), I think most of the tires mentioned are too "hardcore". RE-01Rs are fantastic tires for dry racing but they won't handle the wet as well as you'd like and they're expensive to buy and don't last long. RT-615s are more or less in the same boat but obviously their dry traction isn't as high, their wet traction isn't even close and supposedly they get greasy after a few laps. I would suggest going with something more suited for the street like RE050A PP, RE0750, BFG G-force Sport or KDW, some sort of Kumho (can't remember the exact tire but I'll find out for you), etc. 18s are a really big wheel for a 150 hp lancer, hell I think 18s are big for a 300 hp STI. You might see a reduction in acceleration and braking performance with such a large and heavy wheel.