Issues transfer shortly within the high-performance tire world courtesy of fixed improvements in supplies, design and manufacturing strategies. Getting an optimum mixture that hits the entire potential design objectives takes an enormous funding of each money and time. And if the tread sample can also be new, you’ll want a bevy of shiny new molds–one other massive expense.
Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS
We love this tire’s versatility. It’s fast in each the moist and the dry with wonderful driving really feel. Our solely beefs are vagueness on the restrict and an inclination to warmth soak pretty shortly at full tread. Each of those traits diminish as soon as tread reaches the midway level.
A tough out lap turned on the compound shortly, delivering three robust laps on the restrict earlier than warmth soak decreased the tempo a bit. As soon as the tire was soaked, cautious consideration to staying slightly below the restrict was vital for extra constant tempo.
Falken Azenis RT660
We’ve examined this tire plenty of occasions over time, and it at all times impresses. Whereas its tempo will not be fairly up with the present pointy-end tires, it is extremely straightforward to drive at or barely over the restrict. With a clearly outlined edge to its grip and a fast restoration, the tire might be danced round for a really satisfying expertise.
The RT660 got here as much as tempo shortly through the out lap, delivering a sequence of constant occasions about eight-tenths off the Bridgestone’s greatest early circuits. Regardless of pushing laborious, the texture on the ultimate lap was the identical as the primary. Consistency and accessibility are hallmarks of this mannequin.
Falken Azenis RT660+
The up to date Falken performs a bit higher than the unique in nearly each manner. Whereas mid-corner grip hasn’t modified a lot, each transitional section is best outlined. Full fuel to full brake, trailing into the nook and powering out on exit–every was extra managed and predictable.
All this whereas sustaining wonderful consistency and warmth tolerance attributable to an unchanged compound. It’s a pleasant mixture that may match properly with the driving fashion of many.
Bridgestone RE-71RS (retest)
With the observe being so inexperienced from 5 earlier consecutive days of motorcycle-only use, we had been a bit nervous once we bolted the Bridgestones again on to bracket our check. Was the Falken’s lap time enchancment merely the observe cleansing up? Our fears had been allayed as we lapped on common inside a tenth of our earlier session. Happy with our comparability information, we packed up.
Conclusions
One key characteristic of the RT660+ replace is the power to brake later, particularly underneath trailing circumstances, but nonetheless hit the apex. On this comparability of the pace traces between the 2 tires, discover how the cumulative time delta line bumps up throughout every braking occasion.
5 years is an eternity within the fast-paced 200tw market phase, and Falken was sensible to tweak its design to extract a bit extra efficiency. The RT660+ continues to be not fairly as fast on single-lap tempo because the front-runners, however it might flip these occasions simply and persistently. This makes it a superb observe day tire and likewise a good selection for endurance racing, the place it ought to final for the everyday 8-hour race.
It’s additionally a sensible choice for courses with spec tires, resembling SCCA’s Solo Spec Coupe and Gridlife’s Membership TR and Sundae Cup, as the latest Falken is constant, sturdy and enjoyable to drive–typically the proper device for the job.
