I'm going to get one set of the new AS04 Hoosiers for autocrossing my Mini in local events this year. I've heard that the old AS03's lasted for 20-30 runs or so, then started to go away. I'll probaly be doing 8-10 events this year plus one evolution phase 3 school. This is my first year racing the Mini, with 2 prior years under my belt in a twin turbo RX-7 on Toyo RA1's.

So my question is this: Should I do the evolution school (April 3rd) on my street tires and then switch to the Hoosiers for the beginning of the season, or will my Hoosiers last the 8-10 events plus an EVO? I guess I am moderately easy on tires overall based on my RA1's, but I know the Hoosiers are a whole different can of worms. This will be my fist time in a front drive car unless you count that one time at Mazda's Rev-it-down event.

At the end of the year, I'll sell my 2nd set of wheels - when I take delivery of a Lotus Elise - so that's why I don't want to have to buy another set or runout of tire before then.

 

I chose to go with a set of the regular R compound Hoosiers rather than the specific Autocross tires. This Sunday will be my first event on the RS03's, but word on the street says that the RSO3's will last about twice as long as the AS03/4's.

If I were you, I would run the EVO class on your street tires, and then switch to race compound tires for competition. I've been told I can get 50-60 runs out of the RS03's and have heard that the RS04's last a little longer.

 

You WILL cord a set of Hoosiers during an Evo School, I know from experience. Many folks have done Evo in rental cars because the school is about the nut behind the wheel, not your specific car.

 

thrash a rental car at an evo school! That is fantastic! If I didn't love my MINI so much, I would consider it for the next school I attend!

 

Just to add my two cents, I attended EVO 1 & 2 back to back and I corded a set of Ecsta V700s (which are more durable than any Hoosier). At the end of day one the tires were too hot to touch, and lost grip because of it.

 

>>thrash a rental car at an evo school! That is fantastic! If I didn't love my MINI so much, I would consider it for the next school I attend!

I did Phase 1 in a rental Miata! Sounds like what you guys are saying is that my best bet is to do EVO on my Continental all seasons. I wish I at least had some decent performance tires on there for EVO, I'm just worried that I won't get as much out of it without running in race-like conditions, i.e. on stickies.