I've read a lot of good feedback from people running the Azenis Sports on Autox. But can the Azenis hold up on the track? Will they start chunking or wearing fast once they're hot? For the price they seem worth a shot, good or bad. I have about one HPDE left on my Advans and I'm looking for the next best thing. It's not a daily driver so a very high performance summer time is what I'm looking for. And with the low price the Azenis are very attractive.

 

Azenis despise heat. If you're heavy handed with the steering, they will go away. Look into the Kumho MX is you're looking for a street tire for the track.

--kC

 

I can't say I'm heavy handed with the steering, just hard on the brakes. It's a bummer if the Azenis Sports can't handle some 20min sessions on a track. I was going to get a great deal here locally on a set. Free mount and balance and VERY low price.

How well do the Ecsta MX's hold up? Everything I search for is autox related. Those tires might work great when cold, but after warming up who knows...

The Advans were awesome on the track. Hot and cold they felt consistent. And the wore well considering the grip level.

I would gladly sacrifice some grip for a tire that cost half of what the Advan does. It would also be nice to have a tire that makes some noise. Maybe it's just me, but my Advands don't make the slightest squeel.

 

I've used Azenis in 14" and 15" sizes on my BMW track car. They hold up fine in a driving school setting (20-30 min sessions). The only time I've had them fade was at Lime Rock last summer when it was almost 100 degrees out and I was careless about tire pressures. The front left tire faded on me (if you've been to Lime Rock, you know it's practically ALL right hand turns...so that wasn't really surprising!).

If you watch your pressures, you should have no trouble with the Azenis. If you overheat them, they WILL get a bit greasy (like an R-compound) but backing off for a few turns takes care of that.

Emre

 

Make my decision difficult why don't you! I'll probably just go with the MX's due to practicality. I don't see the Azenis doing well at all on wet surfaces. And I'm sure I'll come across those at some point.
Hopefully as people keep putting on mileage and more track events we'll start getting some good feedback.
Thanks guys!

 

Amazingly enough, I have another vote for the Azenis tires. I have them on my Lancer, and they lasted through many 20-30 minute track sessions, including about 4 hours of seat time at Buttonwillow in July (120+ degree weather). I suppose the street treadware makes them less likely to blister, given the proper tire pressure. I have heard that they don't like to be above 130 degrees, but I didn't notice any traction loss during a 30 min session, and I was pushing it, passing turbocharged VWs in the corners.

Also, they have excellent wet traction, it even says on the sidewall with the A rating. I found that they do better in the rain than my stock Lancer tires! I don't know about major rain and snow (I live in Cali :P ) but they do well in anything Los Angeles can throw at me.

 

Mine squeel on the track (Road course). They also get noticably looser when hot. But that usually takes 20+min. It could be the differnt track surface or maybe you have a bit of room to push it harder.
I see tons of Azenis on the track but the don't seem to last long when hot.
I am going to also try the Kuhmo MX.