MSA 1A tyres 2019

[slowTwitch]

MX-5, daily driver, 2 sets of wheels, 6-8 track days per year...pondering entering a couple of sprints next year, just for fun.

I've got AD08R's on one set of wheels as my summer/track tyres. There's plenty of life left in them but they are now starting to show their limitations in low temps, particularly when its wet.

What to fit to the 2nd set of wheels? I ran PS4's last winter and they were great. I'd like to fit them again but they're not on the 1A list; I'm curious as to why, and wondering whether anyone here has the inside-track on whether it will be for 2019?

[Galveston]

It's up to the manufacturers to submit tyres for inclusion. Odd that Michelin haven't done so for the last couple of years, no idea whethet they will this time.

Having said that, it's quite late in the year. Aren't the 2019 lists on the MSA/MUK website?

I sprint and hillclimb on PS3s. They're utterly brilliant tyres, so don't be afraid to go back a generation.

[df76]

The 2019 Blue Book is now online, including the latest tyre lists. The Michelin PS4 (and PS4s) is now a List 1a tyre.

[Norfolkandchance]

How do 1a tyres and PS4s in particular drop off in terms of performance with age and gentle road use?

I do a few few sprints per year and could do with some better tyres. Car also does 2 to 3k road miles per year. Don't really want 2 sets of tyres so was planning on replacing all 4 tyres in April. However, 2 have slow punctures and its not worth getting them repaired so, ordinarily I'd get new ones now. But not sure how much impact that would have on performance?

[slowTwitch]

Galveston said:

Aren't the 2019 lists on the MSA/MUK website?

df76 said:

The 2019 Blue Book is now online, including the latest tyre lists. The Michelin PS4 (and PS4s) is now a List 1a tyre.

So it is. Bugger, that'll teach me not to check before posting...I last checked a couple of weeks ago

Woo-hoo! Thanks both.

Norfolkandchance said:

How do 1a tyres and PS4s in particular drop off in terms of performance with age and gentle road use?

I do a few few sprints per year and could do with some better tyres. Car also does 2 to 3k road miles per year. Don't really want 2 sets of tyres so was planning on replacing all 4 tyres in April. However, 2 have slow punctures and its not worth getting them repaired so, ordinarily I'd get new ones now. But not sure how much impact that would have on performance?

I've not heard any reports of the PS4 dropping off in performance and I didn't notice any with mine, though I wasn't timing laps so who knows...

I had mine on for just over a year, covered 13k including half a dozen track days and although there was a bit of life left in the fronts the rears were just about (but not quite) on the limit. I reckon without the track days they could manage double that distance without too much trouble. If i were you I'd replace all 4 now, enjoy the tread-depth / wet weather performance through winter and then they'll be nicely scrubbed-in for you by spring

[slowTwitch]

Might as well link to these while I'm here:

2019 Permitted Tyres (L)

Motorsport UK Blue Book

Edited by slowTwitch on Friday 30th November 10:45

[carl_w]

Dunlop Sport Maxx Race 2 look good too, but only seem to be available in large sizes.

[df76]

Norfolkandchance said:

How do 1a tyres and PS4s in particular drop off in terms of performance with age and gentle road use?

I do a few few sprints per year and could do with some better tyres. Car also does 2 to 3k road miles per year. Don't really want 2 sets of tyres so was planning on replacing all 4 tyres in April. However, 2 have slow punctures and its not worth getting them repaired so, ordinarily I'd get new ones now. But not sure how much impact that would have on performance?

Do you have to go List 1a? If not, I'd just stick on some Yoko AD08s if you want to use the tyres for the road and some sprints. They will out perform 1a tyres on track, but be perfectly ok for your sort of road use.

[Norfolkandchance]

df76 said:

Norfolkandchance said:

How do 1a tyres and PS4s in particular drop off in terms of performance with age and gentle road use?

I do a few few sprints per year and could do with some better tyres. Car also does 2 to 3k road miles per year. Don't really want 2 sets of tyres so was planning on replacing all 4 tyres in April. However, 2 have slow punctures and its not worth getting them repaired so, ordinarily I'd get new ones now. But not sure how much impact that would have on performance?

Do you have to go List 1a? If not, I'd just stick on some Yoko AD08s if you want to use the tyres for the road and some sprints. They will out perform 1a tyres on track, but be perfectly ok for your sort of road use.

Yep, 1a only, I'm afraid.

[df76]

Norfolkandchance said:

Yep, 1a only, I'm afraid.

Get those Michelins on then!

I use Falken FK510s on the road car and really rate them as a cheaper alternative to the PS4. Reviews are also very good. However, the 2019 Blue Book has them marked with a * so they could be gone for 2020.

[carl_w]

df76 said:

Do you have to go List 1a? If not, I'd just stick on some Yoko AD08s if you want to use the tyres for the road and some sprints. They will out perform 1a tyres on track, but be perfectly ok for your sort of road use.

Annoyingly AD08s used to be list 1a, then their successor AD08Rs are list 1b despite being exactly the same treadwear rating.

[Galveston]

Norfolkandchance said:

How do 1a tyres and PS4s in particular drop off in terms of performance with age and gentle road use?

I do a few few sprints per year and could do with some better tyres. Car also does 2 to 3k road miles per year. Don't really want 2 sets of tyres so was planning on replacing all 4 tyres in April. However, 2 have slow punctures and its not worth getting them repaired so, ordinarily I'd get new ones now. But not sure how much impact that would have on performance?

Interesting question. My PS3s are two seasons, 35-40 hillclimbs/sprints, and ~6,000 miles old. They're down to ~3-4mm. They still feel good but I think it's time for a new set. However, I'm a bit worried that greater tread depth will offset any gain from fresher rubber. Any thoughts?

[Trev450]

Galveston said:

Norfolkandchance said:

How do 1a tyres and PS4s in particular drop off in terms of performance with age and gentle road use?

I do a few few sprints per year and could do with some better tyres. Car also does 2 to 3k road miles per year. Don't really want 2 sets of tyres so was planning on replacing all 4 tyres in April. However, 2 have slow punctures and its not worth getting them repaired so, ordinarily I'd get new ones now. But not sure how much impact that would have on performance?

Interesting question. My PS3s are two seasons, 35-40 hillclimbs/sprints, and ~6,000 miles old. They're down to ~3-4mm. They still feel good but I think it's time for a new set. However, I'm a bit worried that greater tread depth will offset any gain from fresher rubber. Any thoughts?

I changed a set of Goodyear Eagles a few years ago that had done less work than yours and the difference was marked.I was of the opinion that after a good few heat cycles they were well past their best.

[Galveston]

Trev450 said:

I changed a set of Goodyear Eagles a few years ago that had done less work than yours and the difference was marked.I was of the opinion that after a good few heat cycles they were well past their best.

Interesting, thanks.

[griffdude]

Shaved Rainsport3s..... I was 1.5 sec quicker around Combe than list 1B tyred MX5s with similar power as mine.

[GibsonSG]

griffdude said:

Shaved Rainsport3s..... I was 1.5 sec quicker around Combe than list 1B tyred MX5s with similar power as mine.

Don’t you think that’s just your driving Howard?

[carl_w]

griffdude said:

Shaved Rainsport3s..... I was 1.5 sec quicker around Combe than list 1B tyred MX5s with similar power as mine.

Shaved to how many millimetres?

[griffdude]

Think it was shaved to 3.5mm tread depth.
This is the guy’s website-
http://www.midlandtyreshaving.co.uk
He does the tyres for the MX5 race series amongst others. The difference is amazing.

[griffdude]

GibsonSG said:

Don’t you think that’s just your driving Howard?

As it was the last round, I did have to try hard to win the Classic Marques Speed Championship.
It was my best drive of the year.

EDIT-The championship loads 2.5% onto list 1B tyres & the 1B runners should’ve beaten me by 2.15 seconds

Edited by griffdude on Wednesday 26th December 12:51

[df76]

griffdude said:

GibsonSG said:

Don’t you think that’s just your driving Howard?

As it was the last round, I did have to try hard to win the Classic Marques Speed Championship.
It was my best drive of the year.

EDIT-The championship loads 2.5% onto list 1B tyres & the 1B runners should’ve beaten me by 2.15 seconds

Edited by griffdude on Wednesday 26th December 12:51

That's a very quick time in a N/A car, and you'd have been competitive in the A3 class.