Mazda RX-8 Nationals 2010

This year I have the pleasure to join the rest of the RX-8 boys in the Nationals. This is the 6th edition already and I have been only able to go to half of those. For one reason or the other I was not able to make it. A shame I would say since it has always been nice. We even have organized one in 2007.

Wakefield is a good track, especially now it has been resurfaced. The bumpiness of the tarmac has gone. Every good bits associated with Wakefield, ie the trackside accommodation.




Now the track day went smoothly. First we have big breakie that feels us up. I am not going to comment in the masterchef as it was really not that good.

Anyway, I had pretty long time to change to the slicks. Then the worst comes. My slicks was shot! There is no grip whatsoever. Even getting off the line is no good. The first session was still wet with the moisture from defrosting ... Did I mention that we started the day at 0 degree. We had minus 2 the next morning.

Well the theme of the entire day is understeering. And I normally have a lot of methods to deal with that. I lower tyre pressure to get more temp. I soften the damper front then the rear more. No use. I had to modify my driving which is not up to standard anyway to combat that. Shit.

The video will say more

Posted by Taka via the trusted iPad.

Location:Bignell Rd,Moorabbin,Australia

Is that the right way to keep the tyre fresh

Glad wrapped!

My theory is to keep the moisture in the tyre, preventing your tyre to dry out.

Place your theory!

Even better post on the A050 (comparo with A048)

048と比べた印象
１．蛇角を入れてもA048ほどフロントは引っ張らない。
２．ブレーキング時の安定感、縦のトラクション共にA048より上
３．冷えている時のグリップ感もA048より上
４．耐摩耗性もA048より上
５．フィーリングは・・・？慣れの問題か？

That means, the hairpin A048 pushes less, braking is more stable in A050, it works better in cool temp and last longer.

It is less sensitive to air pressure too.

More here

A050 soft compound review

Very interesting article and some deeper meaning of just longitudinal and transverse grip comparison.

http://feed.carview.co.jp/tb.aspx?t=blog&i=5832160&h=5c7e9

This person driving EVO still prefer A048.

New new semi-slicks (Yokohama A048) - no track reviews until October (really)

 

This is it. The new thing that glues. It took me 2 years to have the courage to try something new. And after a lot of Internet research (some of which are very bias I have to add), I decided on the Yokohama Advan A048. They are in the size of 235/40 R18 91Y MH compound. MH compound is the hardest compound and the same compound used in the Lotus Exige models.

From comparing between the 2 tyres (the Bridgestone on the left; and the Yokohama on the right), the tyres look the same in width. Although the Yoko is 235 and the Bridgestone is 245, the square shape of the Yokohama means the contact part of the tyre of Yoko is the same size as (if not any more than) the Bridgestone. The tyre is smaller - as you can see on the bottom picture, and lighter - with even just my hand I can tell, and certainly the size wall is stronger (with a smaller profile).

 
245/40 R18 Bridgestone (left tyre) VS 235/40 R18 Yokohama (right tyre)

I will track here of any track review, but these tyres are saved for the Nationals.

Down to 2 choices

Yokohama A048 VS Bridgestone RE55s

Some driver of a Lotus Exege in Japan written a wonderful blog on it. I grab the best part of it

５５Ｓの秘めたるパワーとは・・・それは縦方向のグリップ力である。技術論については情報不足でご免なさいなのであるが、０４８は縦横どちらかといえば横方向のグリップ力に勝り、５５Ｓは縦方向へのグリップ力に勝ると言われる。

サーキットとすてきなクルマ＆仲間たち - HAL ! 【 みんカラ 】 ブログ

That translate to the 55S secret is on its power related,... as the longitudinal forces/grip is far more superior. And the 048 has a better balance on transverse and longitudinal grip but the transverse grip is far superior.

Then I interpret it as that....

• A048 has more transverse grip, faster corner speed.
• But RE55s may have better stopping power.
• Putting power is combination of both directions of grip so I think they may be the same.
• So if I have new pads than it is ok right? Also I will be racing in Winton for the Nats, which the new slicks are for.
• Winton is far easy on brakes than another other track I have ever been.  

I think I am very much leaning towards A048.... decision decision!

Choosing my S-tyre

S tyre (aka R-spec tyre, semi slicks) is my vital part of the circuit time attack. I have been using the Bridgeston RE55S in 245/40-18, SR2 version. This S tyre is rated from time attack (short or long) to league racing. So the SR compound hit up quick but last very long, which is an all round tyre.

It is criticial to choose the tyre I am going to run at the National, and I found now the compound I am going to use too. It must last long, since I have to make it last the whole 2 days. So soft compound is out and there will be too much testing to do. There is a big group of A048 fan in Japan, and most of the trackkies in Japan are running A048, and not much are running Bridgestone. I really do not know why.

The choice for trackkies in Victoria is very clear. Most people are running Bridgestone or Toyo. It merely because Bridgestone (RE55S) is 2/3 of the price of the Dunlop D03G and Yokohama A048. But I do not find any evidence of the Dunlop and Yoko being a superior tyre. Japanese have in their blog saying that A048 does not last as long as the RE55S. Would that because they chose the wrong tyre?

I will track back to this thread once I have more info but so far I have the official site only.

Bridgestone RE55S, Dunlop D03G, and Yokohama A048. I am leaning on Dunlop at this stage.