DMS Tire Guide

droseberg
Jun 24
2 min read

Updated: Jun 27

Thinking about upgrading your tires for the events but not sure what to get? Let’s break it down in simple terms — especially with Edmonton’s, uh... “unique” weather in mind.

Why Does Weather Matter So Much?

You’ve probably read or watched a ton of tire reviews online — and they’re great — but most of them are done in warm, dry places. Edmonton? Not so much.

A tire that kills it on a sunny Texas track might totally suck up here in Edmonton with our cooler & wetter weather. If you show up to an event on one of the many less then ideal weather days on the wrong tires, you’ll figure that out real quick!

What Should You Look For?

For the time trial events here in Edmonton, you want a tire that:

* Heats up fast & gets to full grip within your first run (even on a chilly morning or evening)

* Can actually handle some rain (because... it *will* rain)

Basically, you need something that works in cooler temps, gets sticky fast, and doesn’t turn into a slip 'n slide when the track gets wet.

So What Tires Should You Get?

If You Want the Best Performance:

•Bridgestone RE71RS

•Yokohama Advan A052

These are both top-tier tires. Super grippy, warm up quickly, and work well in the wet & cooler temperatures. Perfect for Edmonton weather. The Bridgestone is favored as its lasts longer & costs less.

If You Want Something You Can Daily Drive On:

•Continental ExtremeContact Sport 02

Still solid on the track, warm up quickly, excellent in the wet & have good road manners for everyday driving.

If You Want Something Budget-Friendly:

•Nexen N’Fera Sport R

Affordable and surprisingly capable for the price. Warms up quick, is durable & offers performance that is on par with more expensive tires.

Tip: If the price difference is only a few hundred dollars between a "cheaper" set of tires vs the best tires. Get the best tires. You will thank yourself when it rains, is cold or when you're battling for a podium spot. The performance difference is worth the extra cost.

Want to Do Some More Research?

Grassroots Motorsports has a solid tire comparison list that’s worth checking out. When you’re browsing for tires for the events that will work best here in Edmonton, look for tires rated like this:

Time Trial Pace: B rated or higher

Warm-Up: A

Wet Performance: B rated or higher!