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200tw tires for Track use

GTIfan99

Autocross Champion
Location
FL
Alright, I've got a dilemma.

I traded the old 19 GTI that was setup for STH, and bought a 24 380 Edition. It comes with when's from the R in 19 x 8.

I plan to run GS for a year or two, we'll see if I actually make it that long, but for now, that means I only have a few choices for wheels/tires.

My first thought was throw a set of 200tw on the stock wheels in the 235 35 19 factory size. I ordered a set, but there was a screw up with the order, so I took it as a sign to reconsider.

$1300 for just 235 35 19 RE71RS's or spend $500 to $600 more and get 18 x 8 wheels and get some 200tw tires dedicated for autocross, since 18's are about $300 cheaper a set.

The question is, what size? What would you do? It's a manual transmission.

225 40 18 or 235 40 18?

225 would result in better gearing and less weight. 235 would be taller and heavier, but a little wider.

Diameter
225 40 18 - 25.1"
235 40 18 - 25.4"
235 35 19 - 25.5"

$3 difference in price of the two 18" options, so negligible.

Any thoughts?

I'm leaning towards 225 40 18.
 
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GTIfan99

Autocross Champion
Location
FL
225 as long as it’s a mega wide ass tire like an RE71RS or A052.


I ran 205/50R15 on a 15x8 on my Mazda2. Was faster than 225/45R15 FWIW. Obv power (lack of) played some factor, but it was very noticeable.
That's what I was thinking too.

Shorter gearing, 2 lbs to 3 lbs per tire lighted over the other options, the tire will have plenty of support and RE71RS runs wide anyways.

Then the ape side of my brain says "ooo oooooo ooooo 235 bigger, 235 more better".

So still can't decide. 🤣

I think I'll do the 225s.
 

MonkeyMD

Autocross Champion
All the competitive Civics in HS run 255 on 8"wheel. Why are we restricting to 225?
 

mrmatto

Autocross Champion
Location
Jacksonville, FL
Car(s)
2024 GTI DSG
All the competitive Civics in HS run 255 on 8"wheel. Why are we restricting to 225?
Really depends on the tire. Some will work better oversized than others. More width isn’t always faster if you’re flippin and floppin, I would wager. Responsiveness from a well supported tire surely counts for something?
 

DerHase

Autocross Champion
Location
Hampton Roads, VA
Car(s)
2019 GTI Rabbit
245/40R17 RE71RS vs 255/40R17 V730 for reference.

Both on 17x9 wheels.
 

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DerHase

Autocross Champion
Location
Hampton Roads, VA
Car(s)
2019 GTI Rabbit
Ordered a set of these to replace the current set of Hankook RS4, I hope I'll get more out of these than 5 days from that cheap set of Kenda KR20.

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/armstrong-blu-trac-race-200tw-tire-review/

FWIW I'm going on like 15 days (and a bunch of autocross) on my V730s. Friggin things last forever. Will be doing day #16 in 2 weeks at Fastivus at Summit Point. When I'm instructing I tend to not run *full* sessions but realistically it's a 10+ day tire if you're doing 3 or 4 20min sessions per day and the track isn't wildly abrasive.

Might even last through December for 2 more days at VIR.
 

aspro_gti

Autocross Champion
Location
Austin, TX
Car(s)
2012 K04 GTI
They're radials.
https://www.trackattackpro.com/
How come at the bottom of listed sizes it doesn't say R before the wheel size.
Also, aren't a lot of their road racing slicks bias ply?
Every time I search this deeper, I can't find a clear answer, nobody talks about it... maybe because they are all radials and I'm just speculating like a doofus.
Edit: nvm, I found that they are radials indeed.
 

2LEEGIT

Drag Racing Champion
Location
Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Car(s)
GTI MK7
FWIW I'm going on like 15 days (and a bunch of autocross) on my V730s. Friggin things last forever. Will be doing day #16 in 2 weeks at Fastivus at Summit Point. When I'm instructing I tend to not run *full* sessions but realistically it's a 10+ day tire if you're doing 3 or 4 20min sessions per day and the track isn't wildly abrasive.

Might even last through December for 2 more days at VIR.
https://golfmk7.com/forums/index.php?threads/kumho-ecsta-v730-tires-pros-cons.436749/post-8017024

People here in SoCal usually get 6-7days out of a set of V730. Also, I went with RS4 for better heat tolerant and going on 13th day. Some of the smaller clubs do 3 run-groups in 20min sessions, one session every hour. Then ~2hr open track at the end of the day after half of the people had enough, packed up and left.
 
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