RS3 Version 2 track feedback
 

Anyone run RS3 Version 2 on track yet? If so, have you run either the first version RS3 or Rivals? How would you compare?

I have seen a decent amount of autocross guys saying they are using them, due to better cold traction, but haven't seen a review from track guys yet.

I'm on the version 2 right now but I can't compare to either tire since this is my first set. I know on an autocross track they were very sticky and didn't hear my tires chirping or screeching taking hard turns. Which means I can only go faster

i got a set in my garage.. still haven't mounted them yet..:noes:

Ran the RS3 v2 this weekend at road atlanta, I also ran them and the rivals with a AIM Solo DL to record G. the setups where exactly the same for both tires(specs below). both where tested as "stickers". the Rivals held a static .9G with a peak of 1.G. The Rs3 held a static G of 1G. with peaks of 1.2G. The RS3 likes to talk at the limit allot more then the BFG rivals do. the breakaway was far more noticeable on the RS3, as the rivals it was hard to notice where the breakaway point was.

On a neat side note. for the rest of the weekend I switched over to a old pair of rs3 v1 (3 years old mind you) and they were holding a static .9g. They have 50+ heat cycles and are still holding strong. very impressed with the longevity.

all tires where on a 2700lbs LS1 NB1 Miata (with driver),
3.5* camber F, 3*camber R, 0* Toe, 8*caster
225/45r15 tire
6ul 15x9 wheels.
32psi hot.

FYI--on a 2450# with driver 290whp Miata I had RS3 V1 at 30psi hot and the Rivals ended up at 37psi hot. Rivals need more pressure than the Hankooks. 1:20.0 rs3/1:20.5 rival @30psi/1:20.0 rival @37psi.

Rivals like more pressure than rs3's. If you didn't optimize tire pressure for the rivals (35-36 psi hot) then your data is skewed to favor the rs3's.

Edit: endura beat me to it.

Yeah, the way you're talking about the R-S3s (note: I have only driven on 2 sets of the 140TW) seems reverse of my experience.

The R-S3s were dead silent when they were getting loose and awful under braking. Sticks like glue in the corners... until it doesn't without warning.

The Rivals like to communicate and are excellent under braking.

I'll 3rd the data for Rivals needing more tire pressure. I ran the R-S3s on a 2300# car on 9" wheels around 31 or 32psi. Rivals get set at 37psi on the same car and wheels.

The data is the data. feel free to do your own test. the pressure is the pressure tested, and that is the results.

IMO i didn't like how the rivals took a ton of pressure 36PSI hot and then got greasy after 1 lap. Plus i bought 8 rivals this year, I'm not going back after i had 6 delaminate on me. BFG took all 6 back under warranty, so i would look to them for some street tires. But the rivals were too expensive to replace after every event.

I put about 40-50 sessions through my first set of 205/50/15 rivals. 2/4 of my tires ended up with ever so slight tread splices that were not a problem at all as I kept that in mind with regards to my rotations.

From my pyrometer data, my rivals required far less tire pressure than what you guys are stating to be happy. For me to maintain the characteristically perfect temperature drops inside to out (10-15 degrees per section) I had to be around 32 or so hot. I found that my rivals were particularly happy with different pressures on the front outside vs rear inside. I'm not sure if the ambient temps i run in are hotter or what (90-105 degrees typically with 140 degree track temps).

I realize that this is a rs3 v2 vs thread... but thought i'd add the data point to the mix. I find rivals quite a nice tire and have had zero issues with mine. I'd like to try the rs3 v2 but the braking grip was so bad on the original rs3 that I simply did not find them fun to drive (my car doesn't have abs).

Yeah, all of my Rivals have developed tread splices. Not an issue. Tires still run smooth and grip well. The splices don't grow.

I'm biased though. Dad worked for BFG for 30+ years.

I've had the tread splice too on 3 tires. not an issue so far. braking is waaaaay better than the rs3 v1 as already stated by others. 225/45 on 15x9 and anything under 35psi just doesnt work for me. i don't have pyrometer data, just lap times. I have enough laps at this track that there are no lingering doubts about rivals needing 5psi + than rs3's did.

i'm not trusting a pre cut tire on a 400 hp car lapping daytona at 130mph+. i'm not about living on the edge like that haha.

I was at the same Road Atlanta event last weekend on a set of 225 Rivals (15x8 6UL, 2400lbs weight with driver) and didn't experience too much greasiness. On saturday they would break away pretty suddenly, but they were brand new and seemed to break in and become much more progressive on Sunday. Once I get enough posts to PM, I'd like to hear about those tires delaminating. Mine were also happy with about 32PSI hot.

They were not delaminating. They were showing tread splices. Common for these tires. Lots of pics on the internet.

Delamination is a different beast altogether.

This is the first I've heard of that problem. I'll have to look into it a bit more. A quick search in Google and it does seem to be a pretty common problem... Has there been an official response?
EDIT: Official response from BFG here. http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthr...=1#post1219250

Nice! I was there too, running in HPDE 4 with a Titanium Gray MSM. What were you driving? That was my first time at RA, fun track.

BFG says not to worry about the tread splice, so I don't. Mine started showing signs early this year or late last year, I forget.

I was in HPDE2 in a white miata with a tan top. You can see OG's V8 car fly past me at some point in the video I posted. For those who haven't seen the car in person, it's pretty awesome.

Looks like fun. I need glasses or reading lessons, was at Road America not Road Atlanta. It was a tough decision which track to hit. I regret nothing.

I would love so say you're right after buying 8 of the 228/45/r15 rivals. When I was at Daytona for the Ultimate street car challenge I did need to avoid some rival rubber on the track. so the problem is delamination. http://begoodphotography.smugmug.com...O/rival%20.jpg

This picture was taken from my race video @ ultimate street car ass. every competitor is required to run a 200qutg tire. 1 session on track, everyone had BFG rivals, including me. it wasn't a leftover from last race, Daytona does an excellent job at cleaning up.

after I saw the thread I became nervous about the cuts and called BFG for a warranty. They took 6 of the 8 tires back under Warranty. So even they thought the tires where dangerous. after that I will absolutely do business again with BFG. the way they took care of the situation was a stand up effort. I'm just not going to run the rival again until they fix the delaminating issue.


My cuts looked a lot deeper than that, and showed up after the first race. that being said, I have significantly more power than what the 225/45r15 Rival engineer ever intended them for.



no need for pm just email me Johnny@ogracing.com

I love how the rs3 track feedback thread has more in it about rivals than rs3's... Rivals still preferred to rs3 v2?

That's because the rivals had a killer marketing strategy. When they first came out everyone was stoked.

To switch off the rivals I needed something that had similar grip but better feedback, the v2 rs3 is that. Much better feedback and the grip is similar if not a little better. i'm glad they are a 200qutg so i can use them for LS Fest.

lol,

Original post basically asked for a comparison between RS3 V1 and/or rivals.

Great set of tires. Plenty of grip and have a very high wear rate.

Here's some interesting track vid I got this morning. I'm following Thomas Hiromoto ("Miatamoto") around MSR-C. He's in an S2000 with RS-3 V2 (not sure on size -- should have looked more closely). I'm in my Red car with 225 Rivals. Certainly not an apples-to-apples comparison (he's got a faster car and is a better, far more experienced driver), but based on this the tires seem pretty even. I'd say the trick to driving the Rivals is to get accustomed to their noise:


Also, don't forget that Rivals are made in Tuscaloosa, AL by American workers.

S2000 on 225s?

I haz confusion.

245s fit all around with ease...?

Well, actually, I guess I didn't really look that closely at his tire size. They were the new Hankooks though. I asked.

Edit: S2000 was on a square setup of 255/40R17s. Here's vid from his vantage point:

I too was at Road Atlanta on Aug 2-3 on BFG Rivals and I found this thread because I am eyeing the RS3v2 as my next tire.

On RA, my 225 rivals liked 36 psi hot on all four corners (driver's side had a lower cold pressure) with 1.8 F and 1.3 R camber with 0 toe.

That said, I don't think rivals can grip sealed asphalt at all after a couple heat cycles. Folks with newer Rivals and RS3v2's are destroying me on a freshly sealed autox lot where I used to be able to hang with them and even end up mid pack.

some personal data on RS3V1 vs Rival vs RS3V2 for people trying to decide between them.
-2300lb/low boost approx. 200whp. TMP/Cayuga road course. low speed/bumpy track. no other changes to car/similar weather/etc.

-1:20.0-RS3V1-30PSI-15HRS-consistent high 20's low 21's. Numb turn in, twitchy at limit, tough braking, got harder to get temp. towards end but never cycled out.
-1:19.7-RIVAL-35PSI-18HRS.-consistent high 20's low 21's. nicer than RS3V1 to drive, fantastic braking, easy to control at limit, quick to get temp. Badly cycled out, fastest lap when tire was new. End of life could barely get into 20's.
-1:19.2-RS3V2- 30PSI.-only 3 days on them so far. consistent mid to low 19's. numb turn in. otherwise , more grip, similar braking, way better putting power down.

Rivals are coming out with a S version, supposed to get up to temp quicker.

Any updates from those of you that have had the rs3 v2's for some time?

Going to be trying my rs3s instead of the old rivals for a track day soon even though the rivals have been great. Sorry for keeping the spirit of the rivals alive in this thread.

Based on my experience with Rivals on the track, they communicate well but for autocross it seems like slides are much easier to correct with the RS3's even though they're not as loud IMO.

my rs3v2 are almost worn out at this point. laptimes are still like new, definitely did not cycle out.

<p></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>are you using them as dual duty street and track tires? or pure track tires.&nbsp;</p><p>How many track days have you gotten out of them?</p>

no street. flat tow to track. approx. 15 days. average 2hrs/day. plus 6X20min. W2W.
expecting 2-3 more days, max.

Any of you guys seen this with the RS3's? These are my friends off his NB, 195/55/15's on 15x6.5 and 3 track days and a few autox on them. He runs like 33psi hot, stock suspension and he isn't rubbing anywhere. They're really chewed up at the outer edges, only on his left tires (the track is predominantly lefts). Just from the tire rolling over?

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1442375886

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1442375886

Overheating. Run more pressure in the hot months to cool the tire.

^^^more camber would help too

Definitely. Always max front camber . . . always.

The RS3V2s are a cool weather tire though. I was able to get chunking even in April with cool, damp weather.

That sucks. the old ones were champions in the heat:dealwithit:

Good info here. I have been debating which tire to get for my project and I think I have been sold on the RS3's. I had a set on my FD but never really drove them hard. Thanks.