To All Enthusiasts,

I recently purchased an 05 STi. This is my first Subi and I must say I LOVE the car! My question is I plan on autocrossing the car. I've actually been autocrossing for the past 10 years so I am aware of the different R Compound tires. I have always run Kumho Victor Racers (Corvette, Mustang, Camaro). I know the Kumho's are not as sticky as hoosiers or the new Avon's , but you can't beat the bang for the buck/long life factor that they provide. I would like to continue with this tire in possibly a 245 45 17 size. Is that size okay? Remember it's just for autocrossing and not daily usage, so if it rubs a little on occassional bumps that's fine. Does anyone have any personal experience with these tires on an STi? I read the reviews from tire rack, but not too many drove STi's. I will also be running 17X8 Rota Torque rims. If anyone has run Avons, how is the life on these tires as there is no tread?

Last question, previously I autocrossed a Mustang and before that a Corvette, I figure that I got 15-20 autocrosses out of the Kumhos. The cars were heavy around 3,500LBS (the Vette was slightly less) and both had well over 300 RWHP. Can I expect the same life span from the Kumhos on the STi (which is lighter, but has AWD)?

P.S. I don't want the Falken Azenis.


sorry for all the questions,
Ben

they won't rub but the speedo will be off. 245 / 40 / 17's are better matched revs / mile with 0.4 % fyi...

haven't run avon's yet, as i am waiting till nationals for a new set of CCW's (oh yeah since you are from the vette world also) and plan to run hoosiers for ESP, i run STU locally...

thefly,

thanks for the input, I actually run with NASA northeast and we use our own classing system. I guess if I run with SCCA, which I do occassionally I would run A Stock.

Thanks,
Ben

The 245/45-17s will give you higher gearing... meaning 2nd will be a few more mph before you have to go to shift to 3rd. It won't be that much a difference and the STi has the power to get moving out of the hole even with a taller tire.

Also, there are many National drivers that went to the new Kumho 710s after having been on Hoosiers the past couple years. (They just go with the fastest tire.) At the Nationals test-n-tune, I remember a certain driver doing a back to back comparo in an SS classed vette, and being just over a second faster in the 710s vs the Hooser AS04s. ;)

Just something to think about as the Victos aren't the top Kumho fo R-Compounds any more.

KC,

I have considered the 710s and it would a no brainer, except Kumho does not currently make them in that size or even give or take a size. From what I hear, they will start producing 225 & 245 on 17s in the near future.

Thanks,
Ben

thefly,

thanks for the input, I actually run with NASA northeast and we use our own classing system. I guess if I run with SCCA, which I do occassionally I would run A Stock.

Thanks,
Ben


Hmmm... Is this Ben, the guy with the Red 'Stang who instructs for NASA?

Yes, MattNJ2.8,

"Formally known as the guy who drove the Red Stang..."

So you also run with NASA? I'm sure I've met you before, but I only know one Matt, and I believe he's in PA? :confused: :confused:

Ben

255/40/17 victos will also work.

255/40/17 victos will also work.

Yep, this is what I am running as well on my 05 STi. No rubbing or problems. And they are on 17x8 rota slipstreams, which are the same size and offset as the torques. They are actually a bit shorter than the stock wheels and 070 tires and weight the same as the stock tire/wheel combo.

255/40/17 victos will also work.

If you can get any. They are on back order. :(

I guess if I run with SCCA, which I do occassionally I would run A Stock.


ESP has a slightly better PAX if your region does any PAX rankings.

Yep, this is what I am running as well on my 05 STi. No rubbing or problems. And they are on 17x8 rota slipstreams, which are the same size and offset as the torques. They are actually a bit shorter than the stock wheels and 070 tires and weight the same as the stock tire/wheel combo.

This is good news. I have been trying to figure out the widest tire I could use on an 8" (stock or Rota Boost) rim. There is a much wider choice of tires in the 255/40-17 size. These should be the same overall diameter as stock (25.0"). I am leaning towards RA-1s in 255/40-17 for street, track, and some autocross.