A052

<p>Driven almost exclusively on tracks with a BMW M3 E46. For me, the absolutely best tire I have used so far. I have experience with Cup, Cup2, Dunlop, Nankang.</p>

After going through a set of Bridgestone RE-71RS, I had to go back to Yokohama A052 as I couldn't source a set of the former. The A052 are a fantastic track tyre. Amazing grip and consistency through multiple heat cycles. For a novice track warrior, these are all the tyre you'll need. I do prefer the Bridgestone though. I find it suits my driving style better and the stiffer sidewalls give me more feedback longer into a session whereas I find the Yokos get a bit spongy for me after about 4 hot laps. Both tyres are street legal in Australia, and both are great in the dry. The Yokohama is slightly more noisy in my car than the Bridgestones, but they are both very noisy. I find the Yokohamas slightly more comfortable on the street as well. The Yokohama is NOT good in heavy rain and standing water though. I really struggle with it whereas the Bridgestone provides way more confidence in standing water. For track days, the Yokohamas are perfect, but I would not daily them again.

I use these as essentially a rally tarmac tyres for street use. Trundling around traffic they are extremely well behaved for a semi-slick, hardly any tread noise even half worn and surprisingly comfortable, not worse than an UUHP sports tyre.
When there is no traffic and free view, I love them for their amazing grip and even more amazing feedback on the limit which is just a delight. Beats the OE P Zero, V107 and AD09 I've had on the car with no comparison. Just so progressive dry or wet. And effectively quiet, no 'someone is having an accident' tyre squeal firmly on the limit.
That grip comes in immediately and, against prejudice, is also there in the wet and when cold with just a few turns even near freezing.
When not used on track, heat related excessive wear hasn't been an issue, although I haven't yet used them above 20°C, will go to 285 width for that.
Downsides:
- The tread pattern and depth isn't made to counteract aquaplaning, these are not tires for the unaware, only for seasoned experienced drivers that know what they have under the car intimately. Once aquaplaning comes in the breakaway from high grip levels isn't forgiving.
- While wear isn't catastrophic even on my heavy car when not tracking, they will barely last 10"000km driven enthusiastically and only because I rotate them and run appropriate extra neg camber. Hoping 285 width will last a tad longer next. This is essentially a competition tire that only last one street summer season for me tops, if not from wear, probably from heat cycles. As such a very expensive tyre, but for a driver enthusiast, tyres are just as important as the car itself....

Ran 141 Autocross ish laps over 21 events. (on 3rd set of A052s)
Corded the pass side last event.
-295/30R18s on 18x11s, fit perfectly
Even nearly bald, the A052 had tons of grip left.
After 50 runs the tires lost about 0.5 seconds vs new.
After 100 runs they lost about 1 second but leveled off. No grip was lost from about 100 to 241 runs.
Tires need 1 good heat cycle before they really start griping well.
Note: THESE ARE NOT TRACK DAY TIRES!
they will overheat and grease off within 2-3 laps at a track.
Wet:
in damp ground these tires are KING at the Autocross or road course. The wet grip is unbelievable.
BUT, deep standing water defeats them like any other tire.
The A052 excel at low temps. I ran a damp rain event at 37F and the Yoks had zero issues.
Dry: again, 2021-2024 Solo nationals showed the A052 dominating the field. The dry grip as of 2024 is #1.
They warm up FAST. 1 run is all you need and the other 3 runs are all 100% flat out.
BUT, you can overheat the tires easily.
Start the run at 110-115F tire temp, and you'll have a good lap. Start above that and the tires will grease off before you finish a 50sec lap.
Tires loose a TON of grip over 135F.
Copious amounts of water Spraying is needed for hot days or dual drivers. I've used a 2 gallon sprayer and ran out before I got 8 runs in
Wear:
I got 141 ish runs over 21 events.
These tires need TONs of camber.
They have soft side walls and EAT shoulders without good camber
A minimum of -2.0 and ideally -3.0+
I know guys running -5.0 camber.

Used on a clio 182
These tyres gripped from cold, way better than any tyre I’d tried before in the 1b tyre list, but I could see the tyre wearing after the first session!
Worth every penny if your looking for outright grip on the track.