Kumho Victoracer V700 vs Ecsta V700 ?

[glenn_993]

Does anyone have any experience using the Victoracer V700 and the Ecsta V700. Trying to get an understanding of the differences of one tire verses the other. I've been running the Victroraces but I'm shopping around for an alternative. I plan on using them mostly for AX, but there will be some DE and TT use also.
Thanks, Glenn

[Carl Scragg]

Glenn,

I switched to the Ecsta V700 when it came out. I thought it was slightly faster than the Victoracer but I had some inconsistent wear problems. Also the Ecsta seems to heat up very quickly and I noticed that my 3rd runs where consistently slower than my first two. I had pretty much decided to go back to the Victoracer, but my latest set of Ecsta V700's have been wearing very well. So. . . .

[Jad]

From my experience and talking to the Kuhmo rep, the ECSTA can wear longer and provide better grip, BUT things need to be perfect. Your camber, tire pressure, etc must be right on or they will wear very fast and/or overheat badly. The Victoracer is much more forgiving. If you have camber plates and pyrometers to constantly adjust, the Ecsta might save a 10th or two, but otherwise I would suggest going with the Victoracer as the up side is small and the downside is a lot of wasted tires.

[martinreinhardt]

Glenn,

I am going thru these Kumho Victoracer too fast with these heavy cars max. 4 AutoX on the rear and about 6 AutoX on the front. I am looking for a tire with better wear, so my next tires will be the Toyo RA-1.

At first I was a little worried about the performance of these Toyo's, but Bill I. (TTOD) and Tim C. (smoking times with the 944-Spec and in the top 10) proved that is is not a bad choice for a race tire.

[Bob Gagnon]

I agree with Carl, maybe I didn't have things right (camber, tire pressure or ?) or something but the Ecsta's heat up quickly and tend to slow down once really hot. I feel that my second lap tends to be fastest and the car gets more slippery and slower after that. I note that the hot Ecsta tire surface has ropes of melted tread on it that I didn't note on my Victoracers.

The Victoracers I feel tend to be more consistent in a 4 lap timed session.

On that second lap though I think the Ecsta may be quicker than a Victoracer.

[glenn_993]

Martin,

I've had my eye on the Toyo tires too, but since they have a treadwear rating of 40, I'm waiting for the new rules to be published so I can see how many points I have to play with. If I get pushed to MP , then I will have some leeway to go with the Toyos.

[glenn_993]

For those of you using the Victoracers, do you recommend shaving the tires??? I've only been getting them heat cycled.

[martinreinhardt]

I know I am also a little nervous about the new rules, but I am willing drive against Burl's class with my 2700 pound *STOCK* car if I have to.

Never shaved my Victoracer either.

[Burl East]

Stock? If only?

[MikeD]

Martin,

I've had my eye on the Toyo tires too, but since they have a treadwear rating of 40, I'm waiting for the new rules to be published so I can see how many points I have to play with. If I get pushed to MP , then I will have some leeway to go with the Toyos.

Glenn, treadwear on the side of the Toyo's is 100. Only 2 points. Well at least according to the old rules.

Do you want the Yoko's I have in the garage? I think they are TW=60. I understand they are a good AX tire and acceptable track tire.

[Jad]

Martin,

I've had my eye on the Toyo tires too, but since they have a treadwear rating of 40, I'm waiting for the new rules to be published so I can see how many points I have to play with. If I get pushed to MP , then I will have some leeway to go with the Toyos.

Glenn, treadwear on the side of the Toyo's is 100. Only 2 points. Well at least according to the old rules.
.

Mike, what Toyo's are you running? The RA1 are a DOT 40, meaning 4 points vs 2 points for VR's.

[MikeD]

Mike, what Toyo's are you running? The RA1 are a DOT 40, meaning 4 points vs 2 points for VR's.

I'm using the RA-1. I'll double check when I get home, but I remember the treadwear rating on the sidewall of my 17's being 100. I doubt the 18's I have now will be different, but I'll check.

Even still, it's not like it matters to me. I deep into MP and fast approaching MI. 2 points, 4 points, 6 points... doesn't really matter much at this point.

[bobbrand]

Martin,

I've had my eye on the Toyo tires too, but since they have a treadwear rating of 40, I'm waiting for the new rules to be published so I can see how many points I have to play with. If I get pushed to MP , then I will have some leeway to go with the Toyos.

Glenn, treadwear on the side of the Toyo's is 100. Only 2 points. Well at least according to the old rules.
.

Mike, what Toyo's are you running? The RA1 are a DOT 40, meaning 4 points vs 2 points for VR's.

Mike is correct. Toyo changed it from 40 to 100 last year.

As for the V700, I noticed that tirerack listed an important note in their Ecsta specifications:

Important Notice: Kumho ECSTA V700 tires must be shaved to 3/32" - 4/32" tread depth for any autocross or track use in the dry.

Kumho advises that the ECSTA V700 DOT-legal competition radial must be shaved prior to use in dry conditions. If this tire is not shaved, excessive wear may occur causing the tire to wear to the cords prematurely in a localized area.

Also, that on Kumho's website, buth Ecsta and Victoracer say UTQG 50.
http://www.kumhousa.com/Products/PtnDetails.asp?CatID=8&mainCatID=1

[Jad]

REALLY? The Toyos in my garage purchased in October say DOT 40 (I just checked) and the Tirerack website says DOT40. So I could have run the 275's in KS last year!!! Hmmm, I wonder if I would have been faster with 275's Toyo RA1's than 245 Azenis

[MikeD]

REALLY? The Toyos in my garage purchased in October say DOT 40 (I just checked) and the Tirerack website says DOT40. So I could have run the 275's in KS last year!!!

Yup. I did in MS.

Hmmm, I wonder if I would have been faster with 275's Toyo RA1's than 245 Azenis

I'm assuming you don't really need a response to this .