I recently had the chance to put the Vitour P1 tires to the test on the road course at NOLA, and the results were incredibly promising. Here’s a breakdown of the test and how the P1s performed on my 2008 Corvette Z06.
Car Setup:
- 2008 Corvette Z06 (3,200 lbs)
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Alignment:
- Front: -3.4 camber, +6.5 caster, 0 toe
- Rear: -2.1 camber, 1/16 toe-in
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Wheels and Tires:
- Front: 18x12 wheels with 315/30/18 Vitour P1
- Rear: 18x13 wheels with 345/30/18 Vitour P1
- Tire balancing weights ranged from 1/4oz to 2oz on the worst wheel
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Tire Pressures:
- Cold start: 26 PSI front and rear
- Lap pressures: 34 PSI front, 32 PSI rear
- Conditions: Overcast, 65-70°F
- Tire History: 8 autocross runs to scrub them in before the road course test
Performance on the Road Course:
The Vitour P1s performed extremely well during this road course test. On the first lap, the front tires felt a bit pushy, and the rear was loose with power application. However, by the second lap, once the tires had warmed up, they started to come alive, and their performance continued to improve lap after lap.
- Front Performance: The front tires had excellent turn-in, comparable to Bridgestone Potenza tires in terms of feel.
- Rear Performance: The rear tires were incredible at putting power down on corner exits. I would compare the rear bite and slip angle to Yokohama A052s, but with even more rear grip!
- Confidence: The P1s inspired confidence in their ability to push to the grip limits without snapping loose. Even with sustained driving, the tires didn’t overheat, and their grip levels continued to improve throughout the session.
- Wear and Durability: After the 25-minute session, tire wear was minimal. The tread showed no deformation, and the wear on the outer edges was minimal. I found the best performance at 31 PSI rear and 33 PSI front; lower pressures felt a bit squirmy.
Comparison to Hoosier A7:
In the second session, I switched to Hoosier A7s of comparable size on the same 18x12 wheels. The Hoosiers were faster in every segment, delivering lap times 3 seconds faster than the P1s. However, after lap 4, the Hoosier rears began to feel greasy, especially on corner exits, where drive-out performance dropped.
While the Hoosiers are clearly faster on a pure lap-time basis, the Vitour P1s impressed me with their consistent performance, excellent wear, and confidence-inspiring handling.
Final Thoughts:
I’m extremely pleased with how the Vitour P1s performed. Although they were slick during initial autocross runs before being scrubbed in, once they were dialed in, they showed impressive road course capability. The P1s may not be as fast as the Hoosiers, but their longevity, consistent grip, and ability to handle extended sessions make them a great option for anyone looking for a durable 200TW tire.
