13" tires (again)...Yokohama A048's - anyone use them?

[lgb240]

I've recently aquired a caterham with 13" magnesium minilites. Tires are very old and I'm looking for replacements.

 

I've come across some used a048's - anyone ever use them? Any idea when they stopped making them in 13"?

 

It's very frustrating trying to find a performance tire in this rim dia. I've tried all the obvious internet searches and sites (tire rack, tiresdirect, Coker, ect, ect), tried local race shops and tire dealers, still no luck. I don't want to have to replace wheels and go to a bigger diameter rim.

 

I'm still tempted with these used track day tires as I'm sure that they will be better than my 10+ year old all seasons currently on the car.

 

I'd like to get something new, (Yoko's, Toyo's) but right now, just can't find anything that doesn't have to be brought in from Europe.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

lgb240

[Guest Terry]

My suggestion is go with Avon CR500. It was designed for the Caterham, has very soft side walls to deal with the low weight of the car, that's why they are 20 wear rate, the Yoko is a great tire I run them on my Exige, but they just don't work as well on the Caterham as the CR500.

[timax]

With many people these days obsessed with bigger wheels and rubber band tires its getting harder to find the smaller sizes. Yoko still make them. Although i'm in Australia I get my Tires from Demon Tweeks in the UK. Searching the U S sites found nothing. Price including shipping was still cheaper than what i could get them for at home and to my door within 4 days including a weekend.

AO48's are 60 series where the Avon are 55 http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/competition-tyres

[ayseven]

Which is why I went to 15". I'm willing to suffer a little performance (as if...) for tires. Also, my Deman is very low, so I get a bit of ride height out of it. BTW, you can find R888's for 13" pretty easily if you look around, without going to Europe, but they are the only ones that I could find.

[Ian7]

try race suppliers like Bob Woodman Tires, or Sasco Sports, for the tires they run on vintage racers that require 'DOT' tires.