🚀 go-pugleaf

My comments about the Yokohama A-008's to the net.

I currently have A-008's on several mid engined Lotus (Loti?) and they are
the finest tire I have ever driven on. One car is for the street and one for 
vintage racing; both perform well under almost all circumstances. The only
bad thing I can really say is the wet weather performance is terrible. This
months issue of Car and Driver also documents this fact. When the road is
wet or even slightly damp I must change my driving habits significantly.
In warm dry weather tires are great. They grip as well when they are cold
as when they are hot. the temperature does not seem to affect them. Is
difficult to overheat them in the light cars I have them on. One reason
I chose the A-008's was due to the fact that they do provide an understeering
feel when cornering. This helps the mid-engined oversteering feel a bit more 
neutral. When You purchase tires like these for the street, all bets are
off, don't expect warranties, dealer service, or road hazard guarantees.

I lent a friend my A-008's for a race , he stuffed his car into a wall 
(not his fault -really) and one tire was destroyed. The tire suffered
an impact split along the sidewall. I took it to a dealer (One in denver
that advertizes in Autoweek) and they had a pretty good laugh when they
saw it. I started laughing too , these tires are barely legal for the 
street. they were happy to replace my damaged tire when I paid the full
purchase price.
These dealers who sell these tires are not stupid. they know exactly
what people are doing to these tires. They said every month several racers
bring their damaged tires in and expect replacement. Trees are not considered
a "manufacturing defect". A pot hole will destroy these tires.
When buying these tires expect nothing but good grip.

As for the new comp T/A`s  they appear to behave like the a-008's they
have very good dry performance and poor wet. The old version of the
comp T/A was a fine street tire and I would recommend it if you do any
driving in the wet.

Any one know about Yokahama A-001's ? I have heard they are even stickier,
wear faster, and cold performance vs. warm varies a great deal. Let me
know.


					chuck  gerarden
					..!ihnp4!drutx!druhi!vuser