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Team,

Looking for some feedback on tyres for supersprint and racing as i need to fun DOT/R spec tyres for the sprints but also want to run in MX5 cup races with out the tyre grip falling off a cliff when it gets hot.

Anyone got experience with any of these on MX5's ? Yoko A052 (200 treadwear wtf?), Nankang AR1, Dunlop Dzo3g (expensive), Hankook z221, Kumho v70a, hoosier a7 (too much money)

Currently have r888r and i find them unpredictable, temperature fussy amd not really confidence inspiring compared with old r888 design.

Size im looking at is 225/45/r17 on 8inch rim if your interested and car in race for is 1020kg no driver.

Interested to hear you opinions

Yokohama A050 should be on your list to consider. Cheaper than the Dz03g.

I have not used AR1’s but I hear they are fairly quick out of the box, but go off.

Thanks The American .... have used A050 and A048 a lot in the past and find they heat cycle out really quickly (as do the dz03g from experience) even though they have heaps of tread on them.
I have seen NT01 that still have a high grip plateau after a few heat cycles but is consistent right down to the canvass - but - everyone says they are like r888r.

I've used Yokie A050s, maybe 4 sets. Fastest out of the box by far and stayed that way almost down down to the canvas.

I had one set of Dunlop DZ03Gs. Fast, but not as fast as A050s, and died with heat really really quickly. Lasted 3 sessions and useless with 80% tread left. My worst tyre buy.

I've had 3 sets of R888s, cheap but not in the same league as A050sperformance-wise.

Thanks Magna Blue - havent tried A052's which my local motorsport shop is saying is the A050 successor ?

no_pressure_msport wrote:Thanks Magna Blue - havent tried A052's which my local motorsport shop is saying is the A050 successor ?

They are more on par with an Ad08r

Gordon Leven Motorsport sell both A050and A052. They're very helpful. Suggest you speak to them about the differences and about your bad experience with A050s

no_pressure_msport wrote:. have used A050 and A048 a lot in the past and find they heat cycle out really quickly (as do the dz03g from experience) even though they have heaps of tread on them..

That is true for the A048s. Worst tyres I ever used on track. Supposed to be bees knees when they came out and 944 and IPRA seemed to like them, but thinking the extra weight of their cars might have been the difference to get them to work. I found them horrible on an mx5. Took forever to get heat into them, and by third event they had no grip even though still 80% tread.

A050s are a completely different animal. Quick from halfway thru lap 1, and still quick on their 60th heat cycle at the end of their life. not cheap but worth every cent...

I assume you are entering a class in Supersprints which requires treaded tyres???
See this regarding approved tyres for supersprints.
https://motorsport.org.au/docs/default-source/manual/general-requirements/schedule-e.pdf?sfvrsn=fe2e1b7e_20
Note the tyres do not have to be on the list, but it has to comply with the requirements.


Heat cycle A050's out? Impossible.
They are worn out for me after 4 to 5 supersprints.
Very pricey, but no other R-Spec is near them that I have used.

My first R-Specs I ever used were R888's. I'm one of the few MX-5 people that liked them. Never migrated to R888R's.

Never touched D03G's as they are yesteryears tyres.

Never tried Hankook TD Z221 as they really only make them in 17's and 18's. Supposed to be the closest to A050's. Everyone I have ever talked to that has them likes them.

V70A's are no where near as fast as an A050, but do have more life in them. Faster than everything on your list bar the Hankook and Hoosier.

AR1 is sh*t.
Super noisy. Terrible feel, like wooden. All the FWD guys like them....Found them rubbish on my NB. Found them rubbish on a NC I drove as well.
High performance road tyres like a Hankook RS4 or Yokohama AD08R can achieve the same lap time and better.

Cross Hoosier A7 off the list. Even though they are DOT coded, they do not comply with CAMS/Motorsport Australia requirements as a treaded road legal tyre. They get classed as a race tyre.

Cross Nitto NT01 off the list for the same reason. Same as above re CAMS/Motorpsort Australia Regs. Have used them though. Faster than AR1 and grip all the way down to the Canvas. Better than R888.


A052 is more of a "S Spec" hence the 200TW rating such as the Hankook RS4 and Yokohama AD08R. Ie really high performance road tyre.
You can add Bridgestone Re71R/RS to that category as well as they are at the top off that category.
BTW you can get these tyres from normal tyre dealers as they are not stuck in the monopoly race tyre segment of the proper R-Specs.
If you don't care about the ultimate times one of these types of 200TW tyres may suit you.

I like to swap tyres often. NC that goes to sandown monthly. I am not fast but i am pretty consistant.
Currently i have rs4, re71r, a052 and ar1 all fitted. re71 and a052 is much nicer "feel". So far the a052 is the quickest tires i have had on the car.
I never bothered with the a050 as its not street legal even though i believe it the quickest tire.

A050 is street legal. I have been through many roadworthy inspections while wearing them.

And I agree with what Manga_Blue, Luke and Rascal regarding their performance. On a 'competitive lap per dollar' metric, they might just be the GOAT.

Yes, AO50 definitely street legal.