When my Hankook RS3 was on their last legs on their life, I was looking for another tire in the same category. Specifically in the 200 tread wear category.

I really liked my old Hankook RS3 becuase of the consistent grip which improved as the tire wore down. The tire life of the RS3 lasted for a long time, roughly 6k miles with 8 track weekends! So naturally I was leaning towards Hankook new tire that replaces the RS3… Hankook RS4.

But in the end, I chose Bridgestone RE71R becuase I simply want to try a different brand, and Bridgestone was having a $70 rebate sale hahaha. This made the RE71R in the same price range as the Hankook RS4 just $100 more.

I first put the RE71R through its pace at Circuit of the Americas. Immediately I can get a night and day difference in grip compared to the RS3! I could carry more speed on the corners. I could tell the lateral g’s I felt is more than the RS3.

Bridgestone RE71R seems to run wider than Hankook RS3, because on the track I was rubbing my rear tires despite the same 275/35/18 spec rubber. The rubbing wasn’t terrible but latter on the rubber was building on the fender. I didn’t notice adverse effects from the rubbing.

Then I went to MSRH, which is the track I frequent the most. Some sections of the course my exit speed was 5mph faster then in the RS3! First session and I managed to beat my PR by 0.7 seconds! I wasn’t really pushing the car either and I knew I had more grip to spare. I didn’t trust myself to push the car more becuase I still had to drive my M3 home. I need more time to get used the extra grip. When the car did get loose, it was predictable and the noise from the tires tells you when you are at the limit of grip. Very communicative tire. People say “its a R-comp with treads”, or “cheater tire” and I believe them.

With such a high grip tire, I did notice a couple of draw backs. First is the road noise. It’s considerably louder then normal street tires. Think of off road tires loud. I didn’t mind it becuase the RE71R is strictly my track tire, but something to thing about if you planning to daily it. The other drawback is how fast it wears out! After 3 track days you can tell not much tread it left on the outside portion of the tire. Im guessing I have maybe 3 more track days left. I really like grip but with such fast wear rate its going to start hurting the wallet. I’m not sure if I’ll buy another set because of this but its a tire to try at least once. If you want high grip but willing to sacrifice some comfort and tire life then this is the tire for you.

I sure love back to back track days. Last weekend I was Circuit of the Americas and now back in my home track MSR Houston

M Gruppe is a club only for M cars. Some might get butt hurt they can’t join this club but its not like we discriminate. There are other clubs out there too. They host small meet and greets every month but this was the first track day they hosted. It’s was one of the more pricier track days I’ve attended but this was a private track day and not the normal DE events.

The event is more for people who are novices in track experience and want to learn how to the drive their cars properly in a safe environment. We had one on one instructors, with classroom discussion, and instructor ride alongs. Most of the discussions were for the novices, but that doesn’t mean track rats can’t attend. I admit the classroom part was kinda boring and was geared for the novices about handing, braking, etc but it did re-enforce what I’ve learned at the track.

We got free breakfast and lunch! The catered food was a plus, I didn’t take much pictures because I was mostly out driving on the track. Got to make the most of it right?

Our classroom/break room was in the Lotus Driving Academy building. Doesn’t look much outside but the it’s fancy inside with modern touches. I appreiceted the AC while I let my cool door while enjoying some snacks.

The lead instructor was kind enough to let me borrow his expensive lap timer. This can also read your driving data via OB2 port but it wasn’t connected. The lead instructor did ride along with me and gave me some very good advice in braking with smoother weight transfers for faster times. It worked, because I managed to beat my PR and get into the sub 50 sec range! Im just on springs, 200tw tires with stock brakes with race pads!

I usually stayed on the track for 20 mins then cooled the car down for another 15 mins before I went out again. On the last hour I was stayed out for 40 mins and used 1/2 tank of gas! She is a thirsty gal but the M3 stayed strong with no brake fade or engine issues.

What did break with my fuel filler door haha, hence the orange tape lol. I don’t know if the lateral g’s broke something loose in the locking mechanism but I went for a fill and it didn’t want to close. Im really enjoying the M3, the way it was meant to be driven. I love learning with the car and feeling the limits of grip. Some cases I don’t get to the limit becuase Im just too scared. A lot of seat time will make you better driver not just at the track but also on the street. Private track days is the best way to get the most seat time. I hope M Gruppe will host another event again!

http://www.abrhouston.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mgruppe/