I am debating whether to replace my 7 year old Kumho Victoracer V700's. They still have a little tread line and are far from the cords (only about 7 track days on them) but they are old. In freezing cold temperatures, I am still able to make a mark with my fingernail if I push hard. The car was great at the track last summer but I am worried that I am missing out and I'm not getting any younger.

 

Track rubber over 1-year is too old to be competitive in my book, especially when competing against the Hoosier cheaters.

 

This decision is based solely on $$$, personally, I would run them and have fun siding every where.

 

+1, if you're ballin' like hustle-**** up there, go buy new rubber. If you're a broke *** like Bond, run 'em until they blow up on you.

 

+1

If you're still having fun on them run em till they're worn out. If you feel you need to be quicker and more studly on track days spend the cash.

 

Older tires are slower, and tires that old are probably no good, just for example truckers cant use a tire thats more that 5 years old. I think also a tire cannot be sold if its more than 5 years old by the dot date on the tire if it has one.

 

I just bought new 5 year old v710s from khumo But that's just cause I can't afford paying full price

 

Why wait for rain to hone your skills on the track. Run your oldies when you think you need to step up a level. They keep you honest, for sure.

 

Unlike street tires, competition tires will not have any rubber antiozone components (waxes) to protect them. This makes the tire far more susceptible to aging symptoms, like cracking. Frankly, I wouldn't use a street tire that old....and certainly not a competition tire.

I highly recommend taking a close look at them. If you spot any signs of cracking or separation....toss them.

 

No cracking of any kind, its amazing how good they look after all this time. And they stick like glue, when warmed up and kept at 25psi, although I will never be competitive even with hand of god whatevers. I'm a better instructor than a driver, by far. But I like speed and want to make the most of the time I do get on track. I checked into some used race tires on ebay, but they won't tell me the manufacture dates, which is written on the DOT's so that's annoying. Guess its time to start reading the tire sticky.

 

Brand new nitto NT01's can be found online under $120 in 205/50/15 and around $125 in 225/45/15. Great buy for brand new, durable and proven fast DOT race rubber.

I still say if you don't want to spend the money run those old Victo's until you see signs of age or cord them.

 

Are these the "new old stock" that I see on Tire Rack for full price? Did you find someplace to make you a good deal?

I'm considering the same and I read (on the internet, there are no lies on the internet) that race tires have effectively infinite shelf life until their first real heat cycle. Any truth to this? The tires in question have apparently been sitting in Kumho's warehouse since 2005.

 

I bought some "brand new" Hoosier tires with stickers attached from some guy on CL that had them in his garage for 6 years (6 yo date codes too). I called Hoosier to see if they were safe to run. Hoosier said they would be safe, but likely not fast. They were right. I use em for practice and fun days. Got 5 for the price of 1.

I ran some heat cycled out V10's and they looked great, but were 3 secs a lap slow. Again, for fun they are fine till they cord. For competition, not so much.

 

I'd run them till they are worn out!

if they still stick fine, don't fix what isn't broken. Use them up this season and buy some new ones next winter.

(I'm assuming you are lapping here - not competitive use)

 

They won't blow up, but they will be slow like regular street tires.