Running Asymmetrics & Directionals tyres together

[Blackbullet]

Yesterday changed my three remaining old tires ready for my trackday at Abingdon on the 5/12. As I was paying the bill and the guy commented that the Goodyear F1 GSD3 is a great tyre, and really raised the bar. I mentioned their new asymmetric tyre as there where some in the reception area, and he said running the Directionals on the front and Asymmetrics would be the perfect road setup. He didn’t say it but I assume he meant for RWD setup.

I could see where he was coming from, saying that the Asymmetrics more traditional block pattern is more resistant to tread movement and thus reduces excessive heat build up and the fronts eh don’t know! Not a tire expert but perhaps as they’re named, suited to direction change.

Interestingly there is a thread running in the Trackdays forum about Goodyear F1s and how some people are going through a set in a day, tread turning to jelly etc. Probably not such an issue with our MX5’s. Well the NA ones anyway!

So has anyone here had any experience running a similar setup above or would a differing tyre setup adversely upset the MX5’s fine handling?

Andy

[anonymous-user]

I can only comment on the F1s melting issue - it depends very much on the track surface. I completely mullered a set of F1s on my NA 1.8 around Llandow with it's very abrasive surface.

[skinny]

i killed my F1's at llandow too, front left turned into a 50p piece! heard a few others not really rating the F1's on track either...

[hcanning]

How long have you lot who use F1s on your MX5s purely as fast road cars, had them last? I've just got a set and hope they're gonna last more than a month or two

[skinny]

you should get at least 12 months out of them. it's just that they actually melt on track! fast road, no matter how fast, isn't going to do the same

[Evil Edna]

LexSport said:

I can only comment on the F1s melting issue - it depends very much on the track surface. I completely mullered a set of F1s on my NA 1.8 around Llandow with it's very abrasive surface.

Bit of a double edged sword, this one. I too have fitted F1s to my mkII.

Plus side - As long as you have warmed them up, they have the most incredible level of grip regardless of surface type (wet or dry). As long as they are not stone cold, they are truly astounding. The only thing they do not work on is snow.

Minus side - They grip so well, that in 205 section, they take far too much provocation to make them break away. Track days are actually less fun cos there is too much grip. And yes, mine did overheat and start melt at Bedford.....in December last year.....with an ambient temperature of 2 degrees Celsius. Track temp must have been between 5-10 degrees C. This characteristic is especially bad when new with a deep tread.

[Cafe Racer]

skinny said:

i killed my F1's at llandow too, front left turned into a 50p piece! heard a few others not really rating the F1's on track either...

I ran one of mine on track for 7 hours on F1s...bloody hard driving. Tyres didn't show any real signs of wear and stood up reasonably well.

The Michelins I had on before were fked from the same treatment.

[willd58]

Cafe Racer said:

skinny said:

i killed my F1's at llandow too, front left turned into a 50p piece! heard a few others not really rating the F1's on track either...

I ran one of mine on track for 7 hours on F1s...bloody hard driving. Tyres didn't show any real signs of wear and stood up reasonably well.

Same here, 7 hours, half hour on half hour off, no real sign of wear.

[MX-5 Lazza]

I've used my F1s very hard on track and agree with Skinny that they do melt. This can be managed a bit by putting the pressures up - I use 27psi on the road and 32psi on track. Like this I find that I get a lot of feathering and tread rolling off (so they are clearly still melting) but the grip levels don't deteriorate too much and they last reasonably well.

I'm probably going to try Hankook RS2 next time.

Oh, and 205 width tyres is too much on an MX-5. I use 195 width and have no problem at all with grip & traction even with 230bhp 195lb/ft

[Evil Edna]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Oh, and 205 width tyres is too much on an MX-5. I use 195 width and have no problem at all with grip & traction even with 230bhp 195lb/ft

I quite agree. Wider tyres may look good but, do nothing for the enjoyment factor. I have considered putting narrower tyres on but, it would probably require different rims. Not sure I can put 195 section on my current rims without going for that "Euro" look.

[MX-5 Lazza]

What width wheels do you have?

[Evil Edna]

MX-5 Lazza said:

What width wheels do you have?

They are the standard fit 1.8 Sport-VT five spoke alloys, probably the same as what your car was originally fitted with. I think they are 7x16.

[MX-5 Lazza]

My car was originally fitted with 17x7 OZ Racing Superturissmo. The first buyer specified them from the dealer. The stupid woman paid the extra for them but didn't take the stock wheels which she'd have also paid for

You're right, the correct size for 7" width is 205. I have a separate set of 15x6 wheels I use for the track that I put 195/50/15 tyres on. Tyres in that size are half the cost of 205/40/17