Kuhmo Ecsta V700s

[Hack]

Anyone ever run these? Opinions? Approximately how long do they last? (however you would like to express that is fine. laps, events, miles, etc.)They are a competition "R" compound tire for those of you not familiar with them. I am about to order a set. I am really liking the Hoosier R3S03s, but do not want to spend that kind of money at this point.

 

[SHO92]

Mark N. runs(or at least did) them on his SR71. I met up with him one time on his way to the track and he was driving with them on the street for the 4 hour drive to the track, in the rain no less! He seemed to really like them and said they were pretty decent in the rain too, just needed to be a little extra careful around other cars on the highway.

 

[Hack]

Were they full tread depth, or shaved to proper dry depth (3-4/32nds) I imagine they must be his rain tires?

 

[drivinhard]

I won the EMRA Pocono Time Trial (in the rain) and the Watkins Glen Time Trial (in the rain) last year with the V700. A full (or near new) tread, they actually do pretty darn good. Standing water on the track will **** you, but pretty much any tire at 120 mph on standing water is gonna mess with you, even if it's a 10/32'nds street tire. I would put my more worn ones up front, and my best tread out back.

My only complaint about the tire is they are heavy suckers. Lots of steel in them, in the sidewall especially. That being said, they are overbuilt (I cut apart some old ones to inspect them) which is nice. The Hoosier tires (or the R3 versions) use fiberglass, really really light (about 5-6 lbs lighter per tire in the same size vs the V700) but if you cord one, you'll egg it real fast. The V700 you can drive 'em till they are down to the cords.

The V700 for the DOT Comp tires, is probably the best balance of price/performance/longevity. The hoosiers have more grip, but don't last, and cost more. The other DOT tires typically also cost as much, or more, and maybe last longer, but don't stick as well. With good management and rotation, you should be able to get maybe 6-10 events, depending on how bad the track you run eats them up, and your driving style, car weight, camber settings, etc. They have razor fast turn in (compared to a street tire) and give good feedback, real consistant, and event at the limit or beyond, they are real forgiving. No real suprises.

They are a good tire though, 2 equal cars put on a track with super sticky street rubber, and the V700, the V700 is gonna blow the street tire'd car in the weeds.

Just heat cycle them and scuff them in well when they are new, before you go kamikazi with them. They last longer and wear better if you break them in right.

 

[Hack]

So Mark, do you have yours shaved? Or do you have multiple sets, some shaved for dry tracks, and some full tread depth for wet tracks? Just curious as Tire Rack recommends shaving them for dry track use, or they say wear is accelerated. I planned on spending the extra $30 a tire to have them shaved to 3/32" and heat cycled. The price is still lower than a Hoosier of the same size.

 

[drivinhard]

Ah, I read your post wrong. I see now you are talking about the Ecsta V700, and not the Victoracer V700. I run the Victoracer V700. I've never tried the Ecsta's, although I've heard they also do well in the wet at near full tread. The Victoracers full tread is only like 4/32'nds, so you can pretty much heat cycle them, scuff them in, and run them dry track out of the box with no shaving.

I can't wait till the new V710 is in a 225/50 or 245/45 size