AutoXing the Insight

[commuter]

I have used the Kuhmo Victoracers in ESP and DS when my G35 was stock. They are awesome tires, but as most R compounds are soft they tend to wear out fairly quick. I went about 3/4 of the season using them. I then switched to STX (Street Tire Xtreme) I started using the Falken Azenis Sport (Most top competitors in STS and STX use the Falkens). Awesome tire! I think they sell it as a Ultra High performance Summer tire. Discount Tire sellls them real cheap. The grip is about the same as the Victoracers, but they last alot longer. They tend to get a little hot on my G35 sedan, but I just spray them with water in between runs. Maybe I'll get a set of Falkens instead of the Kuhmos. The cost difference is about $40 per tire! The performance difference is huge from the Bridgestones to the Falkens.I know this because the Nissan 350Z uses the RE92's as stock tires. I think that is what comes on the Insight stock, right? Good tires, but bang for the buck the Falkens are great! No I don't work for Falken either.

[Willie Williford]

commuter:
A two day event? What time?
I have to make a "rocket" run to Tucson on Thursday, but will be back by the weekend.

Maybe I'll see you there.

[commuter]

The event is this Sunday 11-21-04. It is at Qualcomm and starts at 9:00am. If you want to compete you should get there by like 7:00 am to get through sign up and stuff. The HS class runs in the 2nd run group, which should be around 9:30 or 10:00am.

[Guillermo]

For 14" rims, Falken Azenis are only available in 195/60R14.
This tire "should" fit but nobody I know has tried them on an Insight to confirm that it will not rub during extreme body leaning situations...
These tires provide the most grip of all summer street tires on the market. Let me know if they fit without issues.

[commuter]

The Azenis have awfully stiff sidewalls, they shouldn't flex to much.

I do have bad news, the Insight won't get on the truck in Houston until Wednesday. They say 5 days to get to California. That means no Insight for this weekends event, damn. I will probably run the G35 for one last time then.

[commuter]

Guillermo,

I got my race tires. Hankook Z211's. They are the new "R" compound tires from Hankook. I actually bought them for my Miata, but I tried them on the Insight. They are 205/55X14. They are a very "wide" 205. On the Insight, they rub on the rear beam between the rear shocks. Well they don't actually rub, there is about 1/16th of an inch. They clear the wheel skirts though. That was while still on the jack. The Miata daisy shape alloys fit nicely though. They are also very light weight. There are lots of them around and they are fairly inexpensive. They are made by Enkei.

I also bought a set of 14X6 rims and and put Falken Azenis Sports 195/60X14 on them. These are teh daily driving tires for the Miata. They fit the Insight perfect. No rubbing what so ever. The Azenis are about as close as you can get to "R" compound tires. They are great performers and I only paid $37.00 each for them at my local Americas Tire. I brought in an web site price from Edge Racing and America's tires matched the price. Edge has them on line for $37.00. America's tires cahrged me $10 to mount and balance so $47.00 plus tax and fees. Very inexpensive for such a good tire.

[Guillermo]

Thanks commuter for the info,
I was wondering if 205/55R14 R compound tires would fit.
But i'm still debating if i should get the 195/55R14 or 205/55R14 kumho 710 R compound tires in the spring.

i was also wondering if the falken azenis would fit the insight because i need new summer street tires in the spring as well. Let us know if you experience any rubbing with any of there tires when you race on them.

Thanks,

[Guillermo]

What's the offset of those Miata rims you used with the Hankook tires?