Thanks all for the responses. As I said, I haven't decided to change, as I really like the vintage look, but I am sorely tempted.
Now there are tyres out there for everyone, so I am not trying to start a this tyre is better than that. It's just that the characteristics of a tyre suit some people better than others.... This is my opinion.
Before the AVONS I had the TA-R's. I quite liked the TA-R's, they seemed to stick well and always felt predictable. It is also probably fair to say I didn't push the TA's as hard as the AVONS, as I did have a faster lap time with the AVONS. BUT...
I drove on the AVONS on Mallala, and for those that know the track it has a wicked bend in the back straight, not unlike Wakefield. On that bend I started to drift the rear at a very spooky speed, north of 200k's. It did come back in, in time to brake for the next turn, but the heart rate took a lot longer to slow down.
I also had the rear break free at speed on a few other occassions on bends under moderate power.
Then at Winton, it was like a drift competition. I had a lot of drift in turn 1, the sweeper, at the top of the back straight and through the kink onto the short front straight.... I have always been told, drifting costs time.
This made me quite uncomfortable, and has me questioning the choice for me. To make a fair comparison, I would have to try the AVONS and TA's back to back on the same track, but unfortunately the family fortune was squandered on cockroach race behind some pub in Collingwood, so that luxury is beyond me.
I did try many pressure combinations and suspension tweaks to assess the differences. The AVONS seemed to come on fast enough, but then got to a point and did not get any more grip.
So now I am tossing up;
- Stick to 15's and enjoy the challenge of technology over track (which is a lot of what Cobra's is all about)
- Go to hi-tech rubber and have a shot at beating the clock
Decisions, decisions ... That's half the fun
Cameron
Threaded Mode
