Falken Azenis Tire Data - MSR-Houston March 2019 CCW

[Sook]

If you've been keeping up with the other two threads about tires, you're probably aware that I was planning on running a set of Falken Azenis 615+ 275/40-17s mounted on MB Weapon wheels this past weekend at MSR-Houston. The event was a Driver's Edge HPDE where I was instructing. There was some car trouble (non-functional brake pads, and engine mount bolts that wouldn't stay in), and some fog and rain. I was able to get 7-8 hot sessions in over the weekend, 5 on a dry track, 2-3 on a wet/damp track.

Coincidentally, one of the other instructors was also on a sticker set of the same tire in 255 aspect ratio in his CMC mustang (mod motor 2004) build and we had nearly identical performance all weekend - including several tandem drifting laps. I did my absolute best to destroy the tires.

I did not encounter any durability issues. The tires did not get greasy, or chunck starting at full tread. I've included a few attachments showing the worst of the 4 tires compared to a brand new tire for visual comparison. There was also very little rubber wear. They felt great. I think the side wall is slightly softer than on RR. The tire generates more noise than an RR. They take a set quickly and predictably, and brake straight. I did not make any setup changes to the car in support of these tires, they were run at 35psi hot all around.

As far as performance goes, the tires were immediately in the 1:49s running CCW at MSR-Houston. By the end of the weekend (cold front blowing through) 1:48s were common and I hit several 1:47.5s. Comparing my data to my data, my fastest lap in September on an open track was 1:50.9 on old RRs. Our race results from 2018 (was a mixed condition weekend, I believe R3 & R4 were dry) was a best lap of 1:47.6. The track record is a 1:45.8 from 2010!

MSR Houston CCW
615+ open track while playing with other racers - 1:47.5s (multiple)
My best used RR time: 1:50.9
2018 Race best time - 1:47.6
Track Record - MSRH (2.38mi) CCW CMC 1:45.841 Jeremiah Kellam 01/31/10

The real test will be running these tires for 3 weekends or more and observing the their behavior, durability, and lap time degradation.

- Josh

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http://www.aicmctexas.com/showthread...ll=1#post77661
http://timingscoring.drivenasa.com/N...20Race%203.pdf
http://timingscoring.drivenasa.com/N...20Race%204.pdf

[RichardP]

The real test will be running these tires for 3 weekends or more and observing the their behavior, durability, and lap time degradation.

Although the track was wet Sunday morning, there was no standing water and no need for tires with any tread. I left my very used Toyos on my car so my set of Azenis is still unused and available for direct comparison at some point...


Richard P.

[ShadowBolt]

Great info.


JJ

[mach1]

Wow, good stuff Josh, thank you!

[centerville]

Hardly any wear is right. Great job. Thanks Josh!

[BryanL]

That seems extremely encouraging to me. I'm a little surprised the lap times were that quick, too. Maybe I'll run these at Hallett and see how they handle the heat.