Tire Buyers Guide - Sticky Rubber - Super Street Magazine

Whether your ride has been modded to the max or you have a bone-stock daily driver, good tires will make a world of difference in performance. Since they’re the only part of your car directly in contact with the ground, they have the greatest influence on performance—more than your turbo, your big brake kit or your über-expensive coilovers; without the right tires, they’re not working to their full potential. Depending on the level of upgrades you’ve already installed, there’s a tire out there for everyone. From die-hard track whores to casual hardparkers, each tire is designed for a specific goal and knowing how to select the right tire will help you get the most from your car and your wallet.

There’s more to picking the right tires than just looking up the most expensive set each brand has to offer. Tire compound, tread life (UTQG), speed rating and price are all important factors. Knowing what environment your car will be spending the most time in will also help determine the proper tire. If you never go to the track, there’s no need for R-compounds; conversely, if you’re hitting the track every few months (or more), you’re going to want a tire designed to take the heat and forces demanded by track days. But fear not, whether you need a comfortable street tire or a track slick, we’ve got you covered!

High-Performance Street Tires

The tires in this section are ideal for cruising the streets and offer excellent wet and dry performance. They also provide exceptional durability and can handle the occasional “spirited drive,” but they’re not designed to deal with the prolonged extreme heat requirements of the racetrack.

1. Advan Sport
UTQG Rating: 180AA/A
Speed Rating: Y
Use For: High-performance street tire, occasional light track use
Source: yokohamatire.com, 877.238.2677

2. Advan S.4
UTQG Rating: 400AA/A
Speed Rating: V,W or Y (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire
Source: yokohamatire.com, 877.238.2677

3. BFGoodrich G-Force T/A KDW
UTQG Rating: 300AA/A
Speed Rating: W and Y (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire
Source: bfgoodrich.com, 877.788.8899

4. Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Pole Position
UTQG Rating: 280AA/A
Speed Rating: W and Y (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire
Source: bridgestone.com, 800.807.9555

5. Bridgestone Potenza RE760 Sport
UTQG Rating:
340A/A
Speed Rating: W
Use For: High-performance street tire
Source: bridgestone.com, 800.807.9555

6. Continental ContiSportContact 5
UTQG Rating: 280AA/A
Speed Rating: V, W, and Y (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire
Source: conti-online.com, 800.847.3349

7. Continental Extreme Contact DW
UTQG Rating: 340AA/A
Speed Rating: W or Y (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire
Source: conti-online.com, 800.847.3349

8. Dunlop Direzza DZ101
UTQG Rating: 300A/A
Speed Rating: W OR V(size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire
Source: dunloptires.com, 800.321.2136

9. Falken Azenis FK453
UTQG Rating: 300AA/A
Speed Rating: W or Y (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire
Source: falkentire.com

10. Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval
UTQG Rating: 320AA/A
Speed Rating: H, W, or Y (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire
Source: firestonetire.com, 800.807.9555

11. General Tire G-Max AS-03
UTQG Rating: 480A/A
Speed Rating: V or W (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire
Source: generaltire.com, 800.321.2136

12. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric
UTQG Rating: 240AA/A
Speed Rating: V or W (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire
Source: goodyeartires.com, 800.321.2136

13. Goodyear Eagle F1 All-Season
UTQG Rating: 420AA/A
Speed Rating: W or Y (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire
Source: goodyeartires.com, 800.321.2136

14. Hankook Ventus R-S2
UTQG Rating: 200AA/A
Speed Rating: V, W, or T (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire, occasional light track use
Source: hankooktireusa.com

15. Maxxis Victra MA-Z4S
UTQG Rating: 420AA/A
Speed Rating: V or W (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire
Source: maxxis.com

16. Maxxis Victra MA-Z1 Drift
UTQG Rating: 280AA/A
Speed Rating: W (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire, occasional track use
Source: maxxis.com

17. Michelin Pilot Super Sport
UTQG Rating: 300AA/A
Speed Rating: Y (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire, occasional light track use
Source: michelinman.com

18. Toyo Extensa HP
UTQG Rating: 360A/A
Speed Rating: V or W (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire
Source: toyotires.com, 800.442.8696

19. Toyo Proxes T1R
UTQG Rating: 280AA/A
Speed Rating: V, W, or Y (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire, occasional light track use
Source: toyotires.com, 800.442.8696

20. Yokohama S.Drive
UTQG Rating: 300AA/A
Speed Rating: T, V, W or Y (size dependent)
Use For: High-performance street tire
Source: yokohamatire.com, 800.722.9888

Intermediate Street and Track Tires

The tires in this section are designed for the enthusiast who still drives his car on the street regularly and hits the track quite often. You will sacrifice wet traction due to the tread design and the lifetime of the tire will be shorter due to a softer compound, but the benefit is a lot more grip at higher temperatures. These tires are perfect for weekend track days for beginning to intermediate drivers.

21. Advan Neova AD08
UTQG Rating: 180AA/A
Speed Rating: V and W (size dependent)
Use For: Mixed street/track driving
Source: yokohamatire.com

22. Bridgestone Potenza RE-11
UTQG Rating: 180A/A
Speed Rating: V or W (size dependent)
Use For: Mixed street/track driving
Source: bridgestone.com

23. Bridgestone Potenza RE070
UTQG Rating: 140A/A
Speed Rating: W
Use For: Mixed street/track driving
Source: bridgestone.com

24. Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Spec
UTQG Rating: 200A/A
Speed Rating: H, W, or V (size dependent)
Use For: Mixed street/track driving
Source: dunloptires.com

25. Falken Azenis RT615-K
UTQG Rating: 200A/A
Speed Rating: H or W (size dependent)
Use For: Mixed street/track driving
Source: falkentire.com

26. Hankook Ventus R-S3
UTQG Rating: 140A/A
Speed Rating: W (size dependent)
Use For: Mixed street/track driving
Source: hankooktireusa.com

27. Kumho Exsta XS KU36
UTQG Rating: 180AA/A
Speed Rating: W (size dependent)
Use For: Mixed street/track driving
Source: kumhousa.com

28. Nitto NT05
UTQG Rating: 200AA/A
Speed Rating: W (size dependent)
Use For: Mixed street/track driving
Source: nittotire.com

Dedicated Track-Only Tires

The tires in the following section aren’t for posers, these are all-out maximum performance race tires and shouldn’t hit the streets unless absolutely necessary. They are not designed for wet driving and using them in less-than-race conditions will actually damage the tires, as they are formulated to be driven on hard at high temperatures. Although some carry a DOT certification, we can’t stress enough that you really shouldn’t use any of these on the street — if you do, it’s at your own risk.

29. Advan A048
UTQG Rating: 60A/A
Speed Rating: W or Y (size dependent)
Use For: Track-only road course, drag tire, very short street distances
Source: yokohamatire.com

30. BFGoodrich G-Force R1
UTQG Rating: 40B/A
Speed Rating: W (size dependent)
Use For: Track-only road course tire
Source: bfgoodrich.com

31. Hankook Ventus Z-214
UTQG Rating: 40C/A
Speed Rating: N/A
Use For: Track-only road course tire
Source: hankooktireusa.com

32. Hoosier A6
UTQG Rating: 40C/A
Speed Rating: N/A
Use For: Track-only road course tire
Source: hoosiertire.com

33. Kumho Ecsta V710
UTQG Rating: 30C/A
Speed Rating: W
Use For: Track-only road course tire
Source: kumhousa.com

34. Maxxis Victra RC-1
UTQG Rating: 100AA/A
Speed Rating: Y
Use For: Track-only road course tire, drag tire
Source: maxxis.com

35. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup
UTQG Rating: 80AA/A
Speed Rating: Y
Use For: Track-only road course tire, drag tire, very short street distances
Source: michelinman.com

36. Nitto NT01
UTQG Rating: 100A/A
Speed Rating: W, Y, or Z (size dependent)
Use For: Track-only road course tire, drag tire, very short street distances
Source: nittotire.com

37. Nitto NT05R
UTQG Rating: 0B/B
Speed Rating: N/A
Use For: Track-only drag tire
Source: nittotire.com

38. Toyo Proxes TQ
UTQG Rating: 0B/B
Speed Rating: N/A
Use For: Track-only drag tire
Source: toyotires.com

39. Toyo Proxes R888
UTQG Rating: 100AA/A
Speed Rating: V, W or Y (size dependent)
Use For: Track-only road course tire, drag tire, very short street distances
Source: toyotires.com

40. Toyo Proxes RA1
UTQG Rating: 100AA/A
Speed Rating: V or Z (size dependent)
Use For: Track-only road course tire, drag tire, very short street distances
Source: toyotires.com