Motorsport Messages from Marshall

Michelin, one of the most respected names in the business, has always been a brand that's associated with excellent wear and long treadlife. While the company previously offered the Harmony and HydroEdge with Green X with 80,000-mile or higher treadwear warranties, these products have been consolidated and replaced with the Defender. Like its predecessors, the Defender has been extremely well received in regards to excellent treadlife, low noise and a good ride.

The Defender is available in 38 sizes to fit many of today's passenger cars and light-duty crossover vehicles. It features a 90,000-mile treadlife warranty and has proven itself as a capable all-season option. Currently ranked as the top tire in the Standard Touring All-Season category, the Defender receives high marks in the following areas:

• Dry Traction
• Steering Response
• Ride Comfort
• Treadwear
• Hydroplaning Resistance
• Cornering Stability
• Wet Traction
• Noise Comfort

Take a look at what some of our customers are saying about their experience with the Michelin Defender:

"These are the best tires I have ever purchased. They run quiet and have a soft ride. There is no slipping or sliding on turns and they feel like they are glued to the road." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2010 Toyota Prius IV

"Fantastic tire. Definitely the best tire I have ever had. Extremely quiet, stable and a great ride." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2003 Pontiac Vibe

"The Defenders are quiet and have amazing traction in Oregon rain. No hydroplaning and I get 36 mpg on the freeway. They are on our 2009 Toyota Camry XLE. I'm now buying them for our Cadillac! I have never been more pleased with a tire purchase." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2009 Toyota Camry XLE

If you're looking for a good performing summer tire on a budget, take a look at the latest offering from Sumitomo. Their HTR Z III features an asymmetrical pattern that provides noticeable noise reduction when compared to the directional, previous generation HTR Z II.

While this tire may not be the top-ranked option in the Max Performance Summer category, it has one of the most attractive price points in the group. Developed for sports cars, sporty coupes and high performance sedans, the HTR Z III showcases Sumitomo's technical resources by providing high speed handling stability along with traction on dry and wet roads. The inside shoulder is linked by a continuous circumferential rib that enhances wear quality to help reduce noise throughout the tire's life, especially on vehicles with independent suspensions and alignment settings that specify negative camber. Straight and wide circumferential grooves along with long, sweeping lateral grooves evacuate water from under the tire's footprint to increase hydroplaning resistance and wet traction.

Through May 31, 2013, when you purchase a set of four Sumitomo HTR Z III tires you may be eligible to receive a $50 Tire Rack Prepaid MasterCard by mail. See special offer details here.

Unfortunately, not all days can be sunny and dry. While we all experience varying weather patterns, some people see more wet weather than others. If you live in Florida, or another state known for heavy and frequent rains, you may choose a tire that performs well in the wet above all else.

If this sounds like the conditions you experience, take a look at my favorite Max Performance Summer tires that feature wet weather performance, yet make no compromises in the dry.

The Continental ExtremeContact DW features a large amount of tread void that does extremely well in the wet. Looking at its pattern will display a large amount of water channels to aid in hydroplane resistance. While one of our strongest tires in the wet, the ExtremeContact DW can also hold its own in the dry and has long since been a favorite amongst consumers looking for performance and value.

Michelin's Pilot Super Sport has been a standout in nearly every test we've done since it was released last year. This tire tends to be one of the fastest Max Performance Summer tires in the dry, and also has exceptional balance when the going gets slippery. While the tire doesn't quite have as much tread void as the Continental, it's an exceptional performer and is very composed at the traction limit.

Continental ExtremeContact DW

Michelin Pilot Super Sport

Take a look at all Max Performance Summer options and find the one that works best for you.

Arguably, one of the best bang-for-the-buck performance cars available on the market today is the fifth-generation Corvette. While it doesn't have the power figures of the C6 or the magazine coverage of the new seventh-generation Stingray, this car and its popular LS1 engine is capable of excellent power.

C5 Corvettes from the factory (non-Z06 models) use a 245/45R17 front tire and 275/40R18 rear. For those looking to step away from run-flat tires, your options are numerous. However, if you wish to keep the car equipped with run-flats, there are not as many choices. Our most popular sellers in the aforementioned sizes are:

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP is designed to last considerably longer than a dedicated summer tire. This Ultra High Performance All-Season tire has a speed rating up to 186 mph and features a responsive sidewall with a harder tread compound than the Original Equipment offering. Buyers will notice sharp turn-in response that is commonly associated with high speed rated tires, but will give up some ultimate lateral grip when compared to a softer compounded summer tire. While these tires aren't intended for track use, they are more than capable for aggressive street driving.

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP has long been a front runner in the Max Performance Summer category. The PS2 is offered in a run-flat fitment for the C5 Corvette and is a great choice for a driver looking for a premium tire with excellent performance attributes. While the PS2 will sacrifice some wear compared to the A/S Plus ZP, its grip limit is exceptional. This tire has been well reviewed for its great performance and excellent road manners.

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus ZP

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 ZP

Shop by vehicle to view all tire options for your C5 Corvette.

If you have narrowed down your tire choice using the help of our Tire Survey Results, or have pieced together a Tire & Wheel Package, you may be asking yourself: "What's next?"

As a mail order company, Tire Rack ships products using various shipping providers. We ship to residential and business addresses, as well as to our own network of Recommended Installers. How does it work to ship to a Recommended Installer?

1. Shop our selection of products for your vehicle and add what you need to your cart.
2. Take a look at the Recommended Installers in your area and read consumer reviews and pricing information.
3. Before checkout, select your installer and save it to your addresses in "My Account" for later. Or, while in the cart, select your installer and your order will be shipped directly to them.
4. Call your Recommended Installer to set up an appointment.
5. Drive in for installation.

If you live in the continental United States, your order will ship from one of our six distribution centers and typically arrives in 1-2 business days via UPS. If the product is not available in the location nearest to you, express shipping via FedEx is also an option. Other shipping options include, One-Day Express and Express Saturday. Estimated shipping charges can be seen when you select "Shipping Quote" in search results and enter your ZIP Code when prompted.

If you own a Ford vehicle manufactured after 2006, it likely has tire pressure monitor sensors. When swapping off Tire & Wheel Package for winter or summer use, the sensors inside your wheel and tire assembly will not adapt to the car's frequency, but rather require a simple wake up using a triggering tool.

In order to avoid trips to the Ford dealership, we provide a FORDTRIGGER tool that gives you the power to adapt your sensors in your own driveway. Using simple one button technology, you can reset your sensors in as little as a few minutes and for a low cost.

While the tool represents an up front cost on top of your tire and wheel purchase, it's relatively low price tag of $42 offers a handy piece of equipment that proposes a long-term cost savings to the home mechanic. 

Tire Rack offers a tire shaving service that has been primarily used for preparing competition use, while this same service is used to remove tread rubber from new pairs or street tires to allow them to match the remaining tread depth of the other partially worn tires that will remain on the vehicle. In addition to providing equivalent tread depth to eliminate driveline stress, shaved tires will better match the traction and handling qualities of the remaining worn tires. This service can be performed on a tire with a starting tread depth higher than 4/32".

While the cost of our street tire shaving service ranges between $25 and $35 for each tire, it is significantly less than the cost of unnecessarily replacing the remaining two or three good tires with lots of mileage still available from them. We can't accept tires at one of our locations to be shaved, they must be purchased from us and we will ship the tire after shaving to you.

When it comes to tires for autocross and track use, the reason they're so effective is because they feature shallow tread depths and their contact patch acts as a single unit. Any tread design that breaks up the contact patch into smaller elements or adds more tread depth will increase the tread block squirm and reduce dry performance. Tires typically provide their worst wet traction and best dry performance just before they wear out. The heat generated every time a tire is driven activates bonding agents in the rubber. As this process repeats throughout the tire's life, its rubber compounds gradually harden and lose flexibility reducing the tire's grip. Therefore, a shaved new tire will provide more traction than a tire worn to the exact same tread depth after being driven for thousands of miles on the road.

Tire shaving is an effective means of permitting more of a tire's performance capability to be realized early in its life. In many cases, shaved tires used in competition actually have a longer useful life than tires that enter competition at full tread depth. A shaved tires's tread profile will usually result in a little more increase in the width of the tire's contact patch putting a little more rubber on the road. The resulting shallower tread depths reduce the slip angle, increasing its responsiveness and cornering power by minimizing tread block squirm.

To gain a better insight into tire shaving, read "Shaving Tire for Autocross / Track Use / Competition."

As the spring season gets underway and customers begin to shop for race tires, I have taken a few calls concerning the differences between BFGoodrich's Dry Racetrack & Autocross Only offerings, the g-Force R1 and g-Force R1 S.

The BFGoodrich g-Force R1 is the tire most suited for extended road course use. It features a more durable compound designed for longer life and consistency. Like all competition products, life will be considerably shorter than any street tire. However, several weekends of fun in competition events are possible if the tire is properly driven!

In contrast, BFGoodrich's g-Force R1 S is designed for light bursts, most commonly associated with autocross. The "S" designation implies the tire is intended for sprint use. Featuring a softer compound, this tire comes up to temperature quickly, but exchanges life to do so. It's best suited for autocross use or for individuals looking to set competitive qualifying laps.

BFGoodrich g-Force R1

BFGoodrich g-Force R1 S

Both tires are not appropriate for highway use. They aren't recommended for driving in wet conditions where standing water is present and there's the risk of hydroplaning; drivers should drive cautiously at reduced speeds if they encounter these conditions. It's also essential these tires be stored indoors at temperatures maintained above 32 degrees F.

The relationship between these two tires is very similar to that of the Hoosier R6 and A6, which are also meant for track and autocross use.

Get your racing season off to a good start by shopping by vehicle and finding the tire best suited for your driving style!

While the main focus for Tire Rack remains light duty passenger vehicles, we have expanded our trailer tire selection to further cater to the enthusiast with utility trailers, boat trailers and car trailers. For trailers using 14"-16" modern metric fitments, we offer the Goodyear Marathon Radial and Power King Towmax STR in many 6, 8, and 10 ply load ranges.

Goodyear Marathon Radial

Power King Towmax STR

Trailer Service tires feature heavy-duty constructions and accommodate higher inflation pressures to provide the load capacity necessary to match many trailer applications and payloads. Their stiffer sidewalls help control sway for enhanced towing stability and they offer more bruise resistance than typical passenger tires. These heavy-duty, special purpose trailer tires are not meant for use on cars or trucks. Tires in this performance category are not UTQG rated.

Goodyear's Marathon Radial is designed specifically for use on travel trailers, pop-up campers, boat trailers and fifth wheel trailers used for hauling everything from race horses to racecars. Developed to make towing a trailer more enjoyable, the tire is more economical while making it easier to take your big "toys" with you on the weekends.

Also developed specifically for use on travel trailers, pop-up campers, boat trailers and fifth wheel trailers, the Power King Towmax STR delivers dependable and long-lasting, on-highway service for towed trailers.

Shop by size to see if a Trailer Service tire is available for your trailer.

As spring turns the corner, you may find yourself looking to upgrade your vehicle's suspension. The snow is clearing and soon non-winter Tire & Wheel Packages will find their way back on performance vehicles across the country. If you have already upgraded your vehicle with a Tire & Wheel Package, or are simply looking to upgrade the handling characteristics of your car, we have the parts from KONI to help.

KONI's vast experience has earned them a worldwide reputation for being able to optimize their products for any specific application. And by focusing on high quality shock absorbers, the manufacturer's no-compromise philosophy results in superb product performance and enhanced car control.

In fact, KONI's suspension experts recognize that all vehicles have unique dampening needs, and rather than build one type of shock absorber, they utilize three technologies (twin tube hydraulic, mono-tube high pressure gas and twin-tube low pressure gas) from which they choose the best solutions. KONI shock absorbers are designed for a specific car and even its specific driving conditions. They aren't a copy of the original, but a tailor made design to get the best handling and ride characteristics from your vehicle.

Now is the perfect time to upgrade your vehicle's suspension as select KONI products are now 20% off until June 30, 2013. View special offer details here. 

The On-/Off-Road All-Terrain class is one that receives much attention from owners of light trucks and SUVs looking for a more aggressive tire than their Original Equipment. With a few exceptions, most of today's trucks and SUVs come shod with standard Highway All-Season tires that put an emphasis on treadlife and a quiet ride. 

What is missing from these O.E. tires? It most cases, it's an aggressive biting edge that's capable of light off-road or heavy snow use, while still maintaining acceptable levels of treadwear and road comfort. Tires in this performance category are not to be confused with Off-Road Maximum Traction tires. In many cases, On-/Off-Road All-Terrain tires are available with mileage warranties from the manufacturer.

A fine example of a do-it-all all-terrain is the Firestone Destination A/T. This tire offers a degree more biting edge over most factory tires without becoming too extreme. While tires exist that might perform better in dedicated off-road situations, few tires are as versatile as this one. The well-rounded nature of this tire has translated in a first place ranking in our Tire Survey Results.

Available for a wide range of applications, shop by vehicle to see if this tire is a match for your light truck or SUV. 

Not everyone takes their car to the track or needs an aggressive pad for repeated heavy stops. If you're one of the millions of drivers looking for a street-friendly pad without noise or excessive dust, you may want to take a look at using a ceramic brake pad.

While having a lower amount of fade resistance compared to metal mixture pads, ceramic pads do more than an adequate job of stopping vehicles under panic braking and emergency maneuvers. Using ceramics means lower dust, less brake squeal, consistent pedal feel and less wear and tear on rotors.

No more expensive than a traditional pad, ceramic pads are perfect for an everyday driver or commuter car. Akebono's ProACT Ceramic Pads continue to be one of our best-selling ceramic pads and are available for countless makes and models.

Advantages of Akebono ProACT Ceramic Pads:

• Unrivaled 'initial effectiveness" with no required break-in period
• Ultra-quiet, positive and smooth braking performance
• High resistance to fade with fast recovery
• More consistent pedal feel for driver confidence

Akebono has positioned itself as a key resource for leading Original Equipment and brake suppliers in the automotive aftermarket. Key automotive O.E. customers include Audi, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen. Find the Akebono brake pad that's right for your vehicle!

Are you a driver who's looking for a high speed rated tire with responsive handling? Would you like these characteristics without also having to purchase a set of dedicated winter tires? Then an Ultra High Performance All-Season tire might be the right option for you.

This class of tires allows for predictable handling at the limit, good amounts of dry traction and several options make excellent all-season performers. Even consumers in warmer climates that don't need an all-season by necessity have found comfort in the longer treadwear that this performance category provides. While mileage expectations will vary, UHP all-season tires typically last about twice as long as dedicated summer tires.

Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position

Continental ExtremeContact DWS

If this sounds like a category of interest, take a look at the Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position and Continental ExtremeContact DWS. The Potenza RE970AS Pole Position is Bridgestone's flagship tire in the category and combines high speed capability with all-season traction for sophisticated sports cars, sport coupes and high performance sedans. A series of circumferential and lateral grooves help pump water and slush through the tire's footprint to enhance hydroplaning resistance, wet road and light snow traction.

Continental's ExtremeContact DWS satisfies year-round driving needs by blending dry and wet road performance with light snow and slush traction. The tire receives high marks in several areas, but really stands out in the light snow and deep snow traction ratings. Compared to the other options in the category, it has really separated itself in winter performance; this is a big reason why the tire is ranked number one in our Tire Survey Results.

As the top two tires rated in the Ultra High Performance All-Season category, each receives their fair share of praise:

"These are the best tires I have ever used! It doesn't get any better for an all-season performer. I've never written a review on any product, but I felt that strongly about these tires." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2004 Jaguar X Type 3.0 V6 Sport (Continental ExtremeContact DWS)

"This tire is so much better than the Original Equipment. They have dramatically improved traction in all conditions with the biggest improvement being in the wet and light snow. I love the improved cornering and braking. If you're like me and consider your tires to be a key safety component on your car, you will appreciate these tires." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2008 Cadillac STS V8 (Bridgestone Potenza RE970AS Pole Position)

As much of the country is dreaming about warmer weather, taking off your winter / snow tires isn't too far away. Which means we will be able to get to feel the rush of driving our ultra high performance sports cars, coupes and sedans!

One of my favorite tires in the Max Performance Summer category is the Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position. This tire has been a long time front runner in the category and is currently in second place only to the Michelin Pilot Super Sport in our Tire Survey Results. In these rankings, the tire receives very high marks in the following areas:

• Hydroplaning resistance
• Wet traction
• Dry traction
• Ride comfort
• Noise comfort

Bridgestone's Potenza S-04 Pole Position does everything well at a moderate price point. Without spending a fortune, the S-04 Pole Position gives you brand name quality, great performance and a tire that has good road manners. This tire has fared very well in both dry and wet traction and continues to be a strong seller for those considering street-friendly performance tires. It's available in a host of sizes ranging between 16" and 20" and widths from 205mm up to 305mm. Take a look at what some of our customers are saying about their experience with this Bridgestone summer tire:

"I replaced the Original Equipment with these and was amazed at the result. Fantastic street tire with excellent grip, low noise and very good steering response. Very pleased with the purchase and I recommend them for performance ranges of aggressive down to mild." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe

"By far the best tire I have ever had. I live in Seattle where it rains a lot and I don't hydroplane with these tires. I have a 2001 BMW 540 with rear-wheel drive and the car handles amazing. I never have a problem losing control or grip with this tire. I would definitely get another set when the time comes." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2001 BMW 540

"I doubt there is a better choice for the money. It completely changed the handling of my car for the better." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2009 Pontiac G8 GT

As one of our best sellers in the Max Performance Summer category, the Continental ExtremeContact DW has been a hit with customers looking for class leading performance and a price point lower than most of its competitors. Currently, this tire is ranked in the top five in its performance category and is holding steady in that position with several million miles of consumer-driven survey data to its credit.

Although a competent tire in the dry, this tire gathers much praise for its wet weather handling ability. Featuring a good amount of tread void, the ExtremeContact DW is very appropriate for consumers looking for a well-balanced summer tire for dry and wet climates. Like all summer tires, this option isn't intended for use in below freezing conditions and should not be confused with Continental's popular Ultra High Performance All-Season tire, the ExtremeContact DWS.

The ExtremeContact DW features Tuned Performance Indicators - visible letters molded into the second rib from the outboard shoulder to alert drivers of the tire's performance levels. A visible "DW" indicates this Continental tire has sufficient tread depth for dry and wet road conditions and after the "W" has worn away, the remaining "D" indicates the tire has appropriate tread depth for dry conditions only.

Our customers have enjoyed this tire for a few years and speak very highly about their experience with it:

"Great tire! The dry grip is good, but the wet grip is simply amazing for a Max Performance Summer tire. I have run two track weekends and a couple of autocross events on this set and there appears to be more than half the tread left. I have recommended this tire to several of my friends and now considering getting them on my 335is." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 1999 BMW M3 Coupe

"I love these tires. These tires are a replacement to the Original Equipment on my 2005 BMW X3 3.0I Sports Package and they are the perfect replacement. Tires are very quiet at all speeds and handling is excellent. I will definitely buy them again!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2005 BMW X3 3.0I Sports Package

If you're looking for performance on a budget, you'd be hard pressed to find a tire that represents a better bang for the buck.

After several months as the class leader of the Max Performance Summer tire category, the Michelin Pilot Super Sport still continues to amaze. This tire, known and praised for its immediate turn-in response and dry drip, has also been well reviewed in the performance ratings of ride and noise comfort. We often see tires do one thing very well, however, very rarely do we see a tire with such high remarks across the spectrum. 

The Michelin Pilot Super Sport is a tire that you can enjoy day in and day out on your high performance street car and also hit the track should the opportunity arise. Initially introduced as Original Equipment on several of the world's most sophisticated performance vehicles, the Pilot Super Sport is now available in over 80 sizes. This rockstar tire is positioning itself to be a continuing major player for years to come.

With the tire being so popular, customers are sure to be saying great things about their experience with the Michelin Pilot Super Sport. Take a look at a few positive remarks from drivers who have equipped a set of these tires on their vehicle:

"I bought a set of these tires because I was tired of the roar of my previous set of Goodyear tires. I also have a set of these on my ?3D for the same reason. I want the best possible handling and comfort with the least noise. This is what you get with the Michelin Pilot Super Sport. I've gone through a lot of tires and I like the the Michelin PSS the best for the money!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2003 Chevrolet Corvette

"These Pilot Super Sports are the bomb! The handling is amazing. I can't think of a single negative thing I could say about them. They are the perfect high performance tire for good handling sports car in the dry. You can't go wrong with these tires in a California climate!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 2000 Audi TT Coupe Quattro

"Simply phenomenal! They have made the ride smoother, quieter and are predictable while cornering at high speeds and under hard braking. I had the opportunity to track the car, as well and the result was the same: simply phenomenal!" -- Tire Rack Consumer Review, 1995 Ferrari 456GT

To see if this top ranked Max Performance Summer tire is available for your car, shop by vehicle. Also, when you buy a set of four Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires before February 23, 2013, you can receive a $70 Tire Rack Prepaid MasterCard by mail. View special offer details here.

Sport Edition wheels feature a wide range of styles and sizes to fit a variety of vehicle types. As one of our house brands, these wheels are designed to provide low-cost wheel options and often times offer wheel fitments where there otherwise would be none.

Due to their pricing, Sport Edition wheels are a common choice for customers creating a Winter / Snow Tire & Wheel Package. With many options modeled after traditional five- and six-spoke designs, the brand is also home to many Original Equipment based styles, such as the Cup 4. This one-piece, cast construction wheel is styled for and unique to Porsche vehicles.

If you're looking for a low-cost cast aluminum wheel, search by vehicle to see if a Sport Edition wheel is an option for your car.

Last week, a few fellow Tire Rack sales specialists and I had the opportunity to test the new BFGoodrich g-Force Rival at its official release. The event was held at NOLA Motorsports Park outside of New Orleans, Louisiana. Testing involved low-speed and high-speed autocross, as well as open track testing on a road course. While we haven't received the tire in stock (along with freezing temperatures in Indiana) to complete a full test on our track, my initial impressions were very favorable. It was composed, stable under lateral cornering load and had the grip level expected of an Extreme Performance Summer tire.

The tire was also very quick to respond to changes in steering input and extremely stable under high speed braking. After my brief time with the tire, it looks to be a front runner this year in its category. We were impressed with how well the g-Force Rival fared against its competitors while in New Orleans. 

Pre-orders have now begun for this new tire, which will debut with 15 sizes with rim dimensions ranging between 15 and 20 inches and 205 and 335 section widths. Per BFGoodrich, "The tire will help BFGoodrich target a growing market of drivers seeking extreme performance tires which are versatile enough to be used in auto-cross and track-day events then driven home. The tires have a 200 UTQG Rating (Uniform Tire Quality Grade) which allows them to be used in racing where drivers must compete on 140+ UTQG tires."

If you're in the market for a solid track-ready tire that is still street friendly, give the BFGoodrich g-Force Rival a close look. They are scheduled to ship this coming month for many sizes. Place your order today! 

While I will not go over every facet of tire construction in one post, there are several traits that I look for that are more likely to lead to a pleasant and quiet driving experience. When looking for a quiet tire, I try to avoid tires that have large tread blocks with spacing far apart. This pattern, which is commonly seen in aggressive all-terrain and off-road truck tires, offers a huge amount of biting edges. It also tends to produce a roar as the tire travels along the road surface. A tire doesn't have to be overly aggressive to be an effective all-season option. In most cases, finding a tire with balance is best. 

Even though directional tires serve their purpose at evacuating water effectively, they also tend to have a negative effect on noise quality. This type of tread pattern also reduces your ability to effectively rotate the tire. With symmetrical or asymmetric tires, you're able to rotate front-to-back and side-to-side. With a directional tire, you may only rotate front-to-back.

Consider the following options when looking for a tire that provides a quiet ride.

Michelin Defender

Bridgestone Ecopia EP422

Kumho Ecsta 4X

Passenger All-Season and Standard Touring All-Season:

• Michelin Defender
• Goodyear Assurance ComforTred    
• Continental ProContact with EcoPlus Technology

Grand Touring All-Season:

• Michelin Primacy MXV4     
• Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus      
• Bridgestone Ecopia EP422

Ultra High Performance All-Season:

• Continental ExtremeContact DWS     
• Kumho Ecsta 4X

Take a look at our Tire Survey Results to compare options and find the tire that's right for you.

As a replacement for the extremely popular Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec, the Direzza ZII is scheduled to hit the racks this coming week and continue to filter into inventory before the start of the 2013 motorsports season. Given the success of the first generation tire, the Dunlop Direzza ZII looks to be a very serious contender.

Noticeable improvements are expected in the form of at-the-limit dry traction due to the increase in surface area and slight reduction in tread void. Of course, we'll have further test reports and results available in the spring.

For a quick peek at the tire's performance, watch "Dunlop Direzza II Introductory Track Drive." During our time with the tire, we learned that it rewards a smooth driving style. It had just enough rotation at the rear to help our test vehicle glide around the corner, requiring minimal steering input to manage the few degrees of drift. The Direzza ZII displayed notice improvements in many areas including lateral stability through the slalom. Once we turned on the track's sprinkler system, we saw the Direzza ZII again perform better than the Sport Z1 Star Spec. When our vehicle was equipped with the newer Dunlop, we noticed a tire more predictable at the limit, along with faster recovery once any slide began. All in all, it was just plain easier to go faster with the Direzza ZII!

If you're already starting to shop for an Extreme Performance Summer tire, give the Dunlop Direzza ZII some attention. With a 200 treadwear rating, it's legal for street tire class racing and is available in a large variety of sizes.