1M Track Test-Hankook RS3's-Wet & Dry

[Dan Parker]

I had a chance to push a new set of Hankook RS3's at Road Atlanta this past Monday with Chin MotorSports and since there seems to be a good bit of interest in the tire I thought I'd do a little write up.
The 1st session of the day was damp while the 2nd was very wet with standing water all around and 3 streams running across the esses. Drainage is often an issue at this part of the track and the ground was saturated so across the track it flowed. There were quite a few people in my group but hardly any of them went out in the morning so I practically had the track to myself. I decided to turn MDM on and leave M off in the wet while I shut everything off in the dry. I've got to say that MDM in the wet is awesome. In the wet I tried using a higher gear in many corners and actually did a few laps leaving the car in 4th gear the entire time. Even then the torque was causing a little wheel spin coming out of the slowest corner on the track (T7)!

Stats:
Tire sizes are 18" @ 265 F and 285 R. The temperatures were in the low 70's in the morning and mid-high 80's in the afternoon with sunny conditions so the track really heated up late in the day. After lunch the track was completely different so it gave an opportunity to get a good feel for the tires in wet and dry conditions.
Suspension (Moton Super Sport DA's)
I set them up totally soft in the morning and then stiffened up the front about 80% with the rear almost all the way soft in the afternoon. This gave the rear more give since oversteer out of the corners was a problem when they are too stiff in the rear. The rear would still rotate but it was very predictable.

I played around with the pressures a little and found 33-35 hot in the wet worked well, giving the sidewall a bit of flex while 38 hot in the dry was ideal. I came in a few times in the afternoon to find pressures creeping into the 40-41 range and I could tell they were too high for the previous few laps.

I've got to say I really like these tires in both conditions. Some have said they are not good in the wet but I didn't think they were bad at all. I've raced with Nitto NT-01's Toyo RA-1's and Toyo R888's in damp conditions and flooding conditions when everyone else was on true Hoosier rains (that I didn't bring because it wasn't suppose to rain!) In the dry they were a bit noisy but I was pushing pretty hard in the afternoon. On the way to the track that morning, with wet roads, I shut electronics off at a traffic light where no one was in sight. (It was 5:50 am) I turned right, gave a stab of the throttle in 2nd gear and the rear came around fast. I counter steered and spun the rear tires for about 250+ feet while going straight down a 4 lane road. With a little lift they grabbed and there was no drama. At 65 mph in the wet on the street they felt like they were handling the water just fine.

I hope this helps those who are considering this tire. For the price I think they are a real bargain. The wear was minimal and although they are a bit noisy on the street I think they are a great multi use tire. With a 140 tread wear rating I'm not so sure I'd recommend them for daily driving so I'm throwing the stock wheels/tires back on soon and keeping these for track and some street use.

Here are a few videos from my helmet. I'm uploading some good laps in the wet so I'll post them soon.

Chasing an EVO MR in the wet:

2 Laps in the dry:

[Dan Parker]

I almost forgot, my lap times compared to 1 year ago (when the car was bone stock) improved about 3 seconds. I was seeing 1.3 G's in braking and 1.1 to 1.2 lateral.

[Em/1]

So you got 3 seconds from the tires and shocks?

[Ender_]

Good to hear you like them - just ordered my 18" track setup R-S3's today!

I'm sure if that was a more windy track you'd have shaved more time off the track.

[Jet Mech]

Thanks for the writeup. I have thr RS-3 also for my track setup but have not used them yet. Did you get yours shaved?

[M3 Adjuster]

Thanks for this Dan... I literally placed my order this week for RS3s and was going to bump another thread in which you commented you would be heading to the track. I hope to be at Road Atl in the fall in September... I loves me some RA!


I am going with 265s all around for the moment...

[Dan Parker]

Yes, they are shaved. Adjuster, I'll be racing at that event in September so we should hang out.

Here's a video from session 2 when it was really wet. A 370 Z had wrecked into the left hand wall after T4 about 15 minutes earlier so you will see some dirt and grass on the track.

[Plautos]

Nice driving!

[Dan Parker]

Thanks!

Here's the last video. Pushing a bit harder in the 2nd session.

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

Yes, they are shaved. Adjuster, I'll be racing at that event in September so we should hang out.

Here's a video from session 2 when it was really wet. A 370 Z had wrecked into the left hand wall after T4 about 15 minutes earlier so you will see some dirt and grass on the track.

Loved the video, very good, neat driving in the wet. Around 3.05 you were a bit too fast entering that corner I guess, needed quick corrections.

[Dan Parker]

That was T7 and it was more a problem with the exit. It's the most important corner and you want to get on the throttle early.

[Blue55]

Nice driving Dan! I can watch track videos all day. I'll try to post a few more of mine sometime. I have to agree with you the tires are very predictable, although my experience with them when it's cold and wet (on the street) is not great. They definitely need some heat in them to grip.

[Dan Parker]

I could have pushed it a bit harder in the rain but I didn't want to end up like this...

[v1k0d3n]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

I could have pushed it a bit harder in the rain but I didn't want to end up like this...

it sucks...there's usually at least 1 in the rain...it's just knowing where the line is (as in pushing the limits) so that you don't end up THAT 1.

i know this all too well in the cycle world...where it's usually 1 in the dry and multiples in the rain.

good lines dan. i always enjoy watching driver vids...can't ever get too much seat time, even if it's someone else's and it's virtual

[RaptorKTM]

hey dan, what mount are you using to film with your iphone?

[Dan Parker]

http://www.exogear.com/products-exom...t-holder.html#

[Dan Parker]

Not competing and definitely don't want to start another 1M vs. M3 debate but I thought this video might interest some of you. I'm not sure if the E90 M3 had work but it sure was very close in performance. I wish now that we could have stayed together longer. He seemed to be a very good driver. I was working hard to keep up but I did have a passenger.

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

Not competing and definitely don't want to start another 1M vs. M3 debate but I thought this video might interest some of you. I'm not sure if the E90 M3 had work but it sure was very close in performance. I wish now that we could have stayed together longer. He seemed to be a very good driver. I was working hard to keep up but I did have a passenger.

You drive very good Dan, and your 1M is tuned plus the M3 was pretty similar in performance till you past him. The 135i for sure was modded as well or a very good driver given the way it handled the turns. Without the passenger you would leave them behind easier. We all love our donor cars (135i and M3) so no bad feelings here

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

Not competing and definitely don't want to start another 1M vs. M3 debate but I thought this video might interest some of you. I'm not sure if the E90 M3 had work but it sure was very close in performance. I wish now that we could have stayed together longer. He seemed to be a very good driver. I was working hard to keep up but I did have a passenger.

I had fun with an E90 at High plains raceway.. and another at Flat Out this past weekend. I think the 1M is quicker.... they are very close.

I was able to both autocross and track my RS-3s this weekend.. Very good turn in, great grip.
I went with 265/35 all around and have no rubbing. I was considering 275/35 but that will likely rub at full lock

[CarJunkie]

Originally Posted by ozinaldo

We all love our donor cars (135i and M3) so no bad feelings here

Donor cars, funny!

[Pete_vB]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

Some have said they are not good in the wet but I didn't think they were bad at all.

I'm one of the guys who mentioned that the RS-3s suck in the rain, but I strongly suspect our difference experiences were down to temperature more than anything. I ran them for time at a low 50s (if that) autocross- no way to get or hold temperature. Your experience at the track not only allowed you to build some temp, but you started 20 degrees warmer. Those 20+ degrees are pretty critical for RS3s...

[Dan Parker]

Good point Pete. Another possible factor is the 1,100 lb weight difference between cars. I'm assuming you tried the RS3's on that old/new Porsche?