Avon Replacement

[Vovchandr]

Price and availability will always be crucial but I'm down. 

 

I think I have 3000 street miles and 12? Track days on these toyos. Never did anything bad just don't like the lob sides sizing between front and back. 

 

My backup avons have been waiting for so long they have aged out of track use (5 year limit) so I need a new set 

[MV8]

20 hours ago, Croc said:

 

This article analyzing different tire options seems to track with your observations.  Nor all tires are in our needed sizes.  Also the Hoosier ranking is before they effed up the compounds in the 13 inch tires sizes.  

 

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/track-tire-buyers-guide/

 

 

 

I don't see my personal fave, the Walmart Eco Waterfall on this list. So good it's off the chart. Like eggs that are grade B2-Large, except they can't actually be too large.

[Croc]

2 hours ago, MV8 said:

I don't see my personal fave, the Walmart Eco Waterfall on this list. So good it's off the chart. Like eggs that are grade B2-Large, except they can't actually be too large.

 

That tire is suitable for your Chevy Caprice as it has a whitewall option.  

[Croc]

Nova tires now exist.  I had a photo shared with me at a UK track yesterday where Nova were doing the first UK test of the new 13 inch ZZS and 13 inch ZZR Extreme. Tread pattern identical.  Not sure I can share photo without someone getting into trouble.   Nova is branded where Avon once was.  The ZZR was a 185/55 sizing.  Could not see the ZZS sizing from photos.  The Caterham looked to be running a square set up with that size all round - makes sense as it was a 310 spec.  Obviously no results of testing are available - it will be a corporate effort to see what the newly produced tires do in the real world.  Track day or motorsport only - will not be road legal unless you ignore such niceties.

 

But at least Nova tires exist and have been seen in the wild.  

[BlakeJ]

That’s really good to hear. 

[Daniel Escobar]

So not so good news.... Got an email from a NOVA distribuitor in Europe that I have dealt with in the past, and they sent this list....

 

Hello everyone, here are the short- and medium-term availabilities for Avon Tyres. If you don’t see a size you are interested in, please let us know and we will check. The sizes that are already available can be ordered now, stock is limited. If you wish to place an order, tell us what you need and how many, and we will issue a proforma invoice with no obligation. We will try to adjust the price as much as possible.

 

🔵 Available now and can be ordered

7.2/20.0-13 A15
8.2/20.0-13 A15
9.0/20.0-13 A11
8.2/22.0-13 A15
13.0/23.0-13 A15
8.7/21.5-15 A15
11.0/23.5-16 A15 WET
185/70R15 CR6ZZ

 

🟢 Will be available from Q1 2026

7.0/20.0-13 A15
9.0/20.0-13 A15
10.0/20.0-13 A15
8.5/21.0-13 A15
13.0/23.0-13 A11
7.0/21.0-14 A24
8.0/21.5-15 A11
11.0/23.5-15 A15
11.0/23.5-15 A37
11.0/23.5-16 WET
185/55R13 ZZS
195/530R13 046
195/530R13 840
210/550R13 046
210/550R13 315
215/55R13 ZZS

245/570R13 840
245/570R13 315
245/570R13 046
245/640R13 A11
245/640R13 A15
290/570R13 840
300/600R13 840
315/660R13 315
315/660R13 A11
245/60R15 CR6ZZ
295/50R15 CR6ZZ
200/605R17 800
210/640R18 800
300/680R18 800
320/705R18 800
270/680R19 800

 

🟡 Will be available from Q2 2026

7.0/20.0-13 A11
10.0/20.0-13 A11
7.5/21.5-15 A11
300/600R13 315

 

🔴 Will not be produced in 2026

6.5/19.5-13 A11
6.2/20.0-13 A11
7.0/20.0-13 315
8.2/20.0-13 A11
9.0/20.0-13 046
8.2/22.0-13 315
9.2/22.0-13 A15
9.1/23.5-15 A15
180/550R13 315
180/550R13 A15
200/540R13 840
215/55R13 ZZR 333
245/50R13 ZZS
250/570R13 046
330/620R13 046
330/620R13 315
205/580R16 A11
240/640R18 800
250/640R18 046
300/650R18 046
320/705R18 046
240/640R19 545

 

 

So the 215 will not be made in 2026.. and don't see the 185s listed for ZZR anywhere. Will ask about those, but with no 215s available... No point. 

 

I guess 2026 will have to be slicks...

 

 

 

[KnifeySpoony]

I think you're misinterpreting. Looks like they have plans to make a zzs in 185/215, just not any zzr any time soon. 

[Daniel Escobar]

43 minutes ago, KnifeySpoony said:

I think you're misinterpreting. Looks like they have plans to make a zzs in 185/215, just not any zzr any time soon. 

Exactly... no track tire for our cars anytime soon

[Croc]

On 11/26/2025 at 4:42 AM, Croc said:

 

But at least Nova tires exist and have been seen in the wild.  

 

 

 

 

 

[Croc]

 

And this press release (attached) hit my inbox this morning - MRF Tyres - I have never heard of them until now.  However, I do know the two names who tried them out and offered testimonials.  

 

Clearly only track tires but I will start with that.  I like the comment that they are consistently durable over longer stints on track plus better in the wet.  

 

I don't have any photos so no idea what tread pattern looks like.  

7 Racing Tire Announcement..pdf

[Daniel Escobar]

Good to see the new ZZR wearing the NOVA mark. les hope they are in production sooner than what was mentioned by a distributor. Those seem to be 185s...

regarding  MRF, they have been around for a while in UK and are a reasonable priced race tire. the press release seems promising, but if the control tire was the R888R (most certainly since that was the control tire for the championship last year) then a 1.3s increase will be nowhere near a ZZR

in other news, Hoosier just came out with a new Track Attack Race (TAR) with new compounds and sizes just for our cars. They are supposed to be even faster than the R7s and are "DOT" approved, although with no grooves. These are available in 185/60/13 and 205/60/13, so "same size" as toyos and the hoosiers are usually wider than its counterparts. 

https://trackdaytire.com/track-attack-race-info/

im going to order a set as soon as the 205s are available to order as my ZZRs are on its last leg

[Croc]

6 hours ago, Daniel Escobar said:

...., but if the control tire was the R888R (most certainly since that was the control tire for the championship last year) then a 1.3s increase will be nowhere near a ZZR
 

 

That was my fear too.  

 

After Hoosier messed with their compounds I will not be trusting them again soon.  

[BlakeJ]

14 hours ago, Croc said:

 

 

 

 

 

From the sticker, this ZZR appears to have an A46 compound.  I wonder if that’s what they’ve settled on, as a in-between from the previous A64/A24/333 compounds?

[Croc]

20 hours ago, Daniel Escobar said:

in other news, Hoosier just came out with a new Track Attack Race (TAR) with new compounds and sizes just for our cars. They are supposed to be even faster than the R7s and are "DOT" approved, although with no grooves. These are available in 185/60/13 and 205/60/13, so "same size" as toyos and the hoosiers are usually wider than its counterparts. 

https://trackdaytire.com/track-attack-race-info/
 

 

I just studied the details again.  Its an A8 compound - so medium.  How can that be faster than the R7 which was supposedly softer?  Then again they did reformulate the A7/R7 after Hoosier were taken over and the tire consistency/life was worsened.  Sales of the A7/R7 dropped significantly after the reformulation and changing sizes so this is probably a way to try to get the lost sales back.  Not sure a medium will work on our light cars.  Will be very interested in your hands on driving results.  

[Daniel Escobar]

2 minutes ago, Croc said:

 

I just studied the details again.  Its an A8 compound - so medium.  How can that be faster than the R7 which was supposedly softer?  Then again they did reformulate the A7/R7 after Hoosier were taken over and the tire consistency/life was worsened.  Sales of the A7/R7 dropped significantly after the reformulation and changing sizes so this is probably a way to try to get the lost sales back.  Not sure a medium will work on our light cars.  Will be very interested in your hands on driving results.  

 

I've never used the A/R Hoosiers, just trying to find a similar or better tire for R13 application. Curious on what sizes did you try the A7, because from my understanding, the A7 never came out in our sizes for 13, only R7 was available in 185/205. 

 

My ZZR 333 are almost done, maybe 2 trackdays left, but last week I blew my diff on track, so it will probably be a while until I'm out on track again. Sourcing Sierra Diff parts in this side of the pond is quite tricky. 

 

[Croc]

1 minute ago, Daniel Escobar said:

 

I've never used the A/R Hoosiers, just trying to find a similar or better tire for R13 application. Curious on what sizes did you try the A7, because from my understanding, the A7 never came out in our sizes for 13, only R7 was available in 185/205. 

 

My ZZR 333 are almost done, maybe 2 trackdays left, but last week I blew my diff on track, so it will probably be a while until I'm out on track again. Sourcing Sierra Diff parts in this side of the pond is quite tricky. 

 

 

Hoosier A7 and R7 used to be available for me in:

Front: 185/60/13

Rear: 225/50/13

 

Loved them.  Then when Hoosier got taken over the rear size dropped to a 205 and a smaller profile (was it a 45?).  It just did not work in the sizing plus the compound changed for the worse.  

 

 

[Daniel Escobar]

59 minutes ago, Croc said:

 

Hoosier A7 and R7 used to be available for me in:

Front: 185/60/13

Rear: 225/50/13

 

Loved them.  Then when Hoosier got taken over the rear size dropped to a 205 and a smaller profile (was it a 45?).  It just did not work in the sizing plus the compound changed for the worse.  

 

 

Did not know they used to make them in those sizes. the new track attack pro has been wiping the floor in all tests with all "street" track tires, even faster than the Cupr2Rs so I hope this carries over to the new A/R. I will try to get a set mid year and see how it goes. Luckily they aren't crazy expensive in 13in, so worth the try

[pethier]

On 12/17/2025 at 6:05 AM, Croc said:

 

I just studied the details again.  Its an A8 compound - so medium.  How can that be faster than the R7 which was supposedly softer?  Then again they did reformulate the A7/R7 after Hoosier were taken over and the tire consistency/life was worsened.  Sales of the A7/R7 dropped significantly after the reformulation and changing sizes so this is probably a way to try to get the lost sales back.  Not sure a medium will work on our light cars.  Will be very interested in your hands on driving results.  

I'm confused.

 

My understanding of Hoosier "sorta street" DOT tires when I used them on my Elise was that the A7 was the softer tire and the R7 the harder.  The idea was that on cars of more-typical weights than our sevens and Elise cars, the A tires were for autocross and the R tires for racing.  Even for track use on a well-set-up Elise, the A7 was always preferred.

 

So has Hoosier changed the long-standing pattern of the A and R designations?

 

[KnifeySpoony]

I think Croc got his As and Rs mixed up.

 

With the A7/R7 generation, they only had the R7 available in 13" sizes that would fit our cars (which always seemed odd to me). This seems to still be the case with the new generation of tire. The R8 will be an option, not the A8. 

[Croc]

1 hour ago, pethier said:

I'm confused.

 

My understanding of Hoosier "sorta street" DOT tires when I used them on my Elise was that the A7 was the softer tire and the R7 the harder.  The idea was that on cars of more-typical weights than our sevens and Elise cars, the A tires were for autocross and the R tires for racing.  Even for track use on a well-set-up Elise, the A7 was always preferred.

 

So has Hoosier changed the long-standing pattern of the A and R designations?

 

 

Continental Tire took over Hoosier Tire in 2016.  Initially there were no changes but around late 2021 area both of the Hoosier A7 and R7 were reformulated (I confirmed with a call to Hoosier) and there were size changes.  I used to use the R7 on the Caterham.  There were compound changes and size changes.  Sizes were made the same across the R7 and A7 range.  The changes were downplayed but they were profound for me.  Previously I would get a season from a set of R7s and after the formulation changes I would get 6 days - so they went softer since they would now go off quicker.  I switched to the A7s and found I could now get a season from those where previously I could not - their compound went harder in the formulation changes.  Comparison is with same car, same set up, same driver, same tracks.  Something changed in the A7 and R7 to reverse the historic market positioning of them as I understood it - yet the marketing materials would tell you otherwise.    

 

I don't know what happened to Elise tires but something changed with my Caterham tires and Hoosier confirmed there were changes.  Discussions with the folks at Roger Krause confirmed there were changes in the 13 inch tires that were not consistent when you got to larger sizes.  

 

Make sense of that what you will.  

 

End result is I no longer use Hoosier.  I like my friends at Pirelli now.