June 22, 2023
For many enthusiasts, there’s no greater thrill than driving their vehicle on the racetrack, and for those who are willing to trailer their vehicle - or just their tires - to and from the track, a set of DOT radials from the Racetrack & Autocross Only category can turn that thrill up to 11. Technically, these types of tires meet the bare minimum requirements to pass DOT standards, but their manufacturers specifically state they’re not intended for use on public roads. Their lightweight construction, heat-cycle sensitive compounds, and practically non-existent tread patterns mean these tires aren’t suited to endure even a short jaunt from the house to the track, so they should make the trip on a trailer or creatively crammed into the back seat, hatch, and/or trunk (this is where we remind you to properly secure all cargo).
For years, the Hoosier R7 - and the R6 before it - has ruled the category. The tire delivers a blend of speed, consistency, and durability that has gone largely unmatched throughout its product cycle. In 2022, Yokohama unveiled the latest challenger to the throne - the ADVAN A055. We knew we had to compare the two, so we rounded them up and headed straight to the track.
As our test platform, we used our 2022 Subaru BRZ Limited test vehicles. To help them utilize more of the tires’ contact patch and ensure we didn’t wear through the outboard shoulders of the front tires, we added Whiteline adjustable camber bolts to give both cars identical alignments with 2.0 degrees of static negative camber at the front wheels. To ensure our brakes were up to the task, we installed front and rear TR Select Brake Kits with Hawk DTC-60 pads and Centric 120 Series rotors that delivered fade-free stopping performance throughout the test. The vehicles were fitted with new, full tread depth 245/40R17 tires mounted on 17x8.0 wheels. Hot pressures were set at 32 psi.
The two tires in our test group were designed for use on a full-size track. The compounds take some energy to get up to operating temperature, so they’re not ideally suited for autocross use. Knowing that, this test took place on a 2.1 mile, 11 turn road course in southwestern Michigan.
After some scrub in laps to remove the mold release and get the tread up to temperature, we set our tire pressures and headed out for our evaluation laps. For having such a similar - and narrow - focus, the personality of the two tires was surprisingly different. In terms of outright traction, it was relatively easy to tell that the Hoosier had a small, but noticeable, advantage. It allowed for later braking, higher mid-corner speeds, and earlier commitment to full throttle. While these were just small gains everywhere, they added up to a .4 second advantage in lap times. When it came to steering, both tires were incredibly responsive to the driver’s inputs. The Hoosier was quicker to respond, but it was digital. There was no feel or build-up of effort; changing trajectory was like flipping a light switch. The Yokohama had noticeably better characteristics. While it was still very bright and alert, it communicated with the driver at every millimeter increment along the way. Similarly, our drivers preferred the handling and balance of the Yokohama, as well. It was eager to combine two inputs at once, and it would rotate gracefully to allow the driver to blend braking into cornering and cornering into acceleration in a smooth, predictable way. Even though it was faster, the Hoosier felt less athletic, simply bending the track to its will through absolute grip. Still, in this realm, lap times are really all that matter, and in that the Hoosier held the advantage. If you’re looking for speed and subjective driving pleasure, the Yokohama is the answer. If the lowest possible lap time is your goal, well, the Hoosier R7 is the gold (purple?) standard for a reason.
| Tire | Average Lap |
|---|---|
| Hoosier R7 | 1:44.64 |
| Yokohama ADVAN A055 | 1:45.05 |
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