Zestino 07RS review

I’ve always promised genuine and data-focused review, so just how well are my set of Zestino 07RS tyres holding up after following four trackdays and 2,500km?

Well I have to say, my initial impressions are fantastic – not only are the ‘Zestis’ fast, but they’re wearing a lot better than skeptics suggested.

In this test we are using a set of 245/40R17 07RS sourced from Prestige Tyre & Auto here in Sydney.

Scroll down to read 2 updates over the past 12 months on this tyre. One with a 130kW E85 tune and the other with a 265kW turbo setup!

TRACK TEST:

The real test of these tyres came last weekend at Wakefield Park where I’ve done 90% of testing – I guess you could call it the #project86 test track. Following multiple trackdays on a set of Toyo R888Rs, you may remember the #racefix86 got down to a 1:10.8.

Sticking a set of 245/40 R17 Zestino 07RS tyres on the 86 saw my lap time tumble to 1:10.1. Seven tenths may not sound hugely impressive, but seeing that moving from ‘good’ trackday rubber to another brand on such a small track like Wakefield is really quite incredible.

Red line: 1:10.1 (Zestino) Orange line 1:10.8 (R888R) - The main takeaway from this is the higher minimum speeds and better corner exit speeds.

The other good news is that the Zestinos didn’t change the consistent breakaway characteristics of the 86 chassis. Certain sticky trackday tyres have a tendency to snap from grip to slip, the Zestino performed like the familiar Toyo R888R, with grip levels ebbing away, rather than evaporating as you approach the limit.

This allows you to feel out the tyre, tack and car combination well and ultimately provides more driver satisfaction than a tyre that might be faster outright, but not give the driver such confidence.

If there is a criticism of the Zestino 07RS, it’s the lack of feedback you get as the driver. Unlike the R888R, the Zestinos felt a little vague through the steering wheel when run at the recommended 28PSI. Bumping pressures up to around 31PSI improves feedback.

In fact, despite the suggestions that 28PSI is the sweet spot for the 07RS, my testing found otherwise. The tyres demonstrated a tendency to roll over onto their sidewall more, and that seemed to further accelerate wear. My testing suggested between 31-32PSI is where they’re happiest, and in fact that is the pressure I was running when I managed a PB at Wakefield Park. With pressure slightly higher, the #racefix86 felt more awake and satisfying on track, too – a win-win for sure.

ROAD TEST:

Although I’m yet to take on a big country road drive, some shorter drives on local twisties (in the dry) have shown the Zesties hold up well. While road driving isn’t my area of expertise, the level of performance they have offered is more than adequate. There is no undue wear or damage after road kms either.

One thing I will make note of is how quiet these tyres are on the highway. There is certainly road noise present – anyone who’s driven an 86 at 110km/h for long will know what I mean – but the horrible high pitch wine of Ventus RS4’s, Dunlop Direzzas, Toyo R888Rs and even cheap Federals is no present. 

The 07RS is also quite compliant on the highway and isn't phased by small bumps in the road and I am yet to have any issues with tram lining like I have with other tyres.

WEAR:

I, like many people, were skeptical of this tyre. Word on the street was that they were a quick tyre but they didn't wear very well. I’m very happy to report, after 4 track days, I can comfortably say we have another 3-4 track days left in them. And don’t worry – we’re trying our best!

Where the bad wear reputation comes from, in my opinion, is that drivers assume they respond the same as a Hankook RS4 throughout a heat cycle. It’s well documented that the RS4 is a ‘set-and-forget’ type tyre, one you can rag on all day without worrying about pressures. 

The Zestino 07RS is a softer 140 treadwear compound, and they have to be treated as such. You need to monitor your pressures – as above, we found about 31-32PSI works for an 86 – and run a cool down lap every two-three hot laps. That way, you’ll get your money out of the tyres.

Update 11/2021:

We’re onto our second set of 07RS now, this time in a 255. I’m please to inform our original set 07RS lasted 7 hard trackdays! The current set has only done 3 trackdays and 5k road kms (lockdown life) but are still looking fairly close to the images below.

That said, sometimes you just get a little carried away, and thankfully the Zestino 07RS is up for some punishment. I was caught out by just how fast these tyres were, after a 6 lap passenger sessions where I posted several 1:11s at Wakefield – quick with an extra 60 kilos on board – the Zestis showed no sign on backing down. 

I decided I was on a roll, so I dropped the passenger off at pitlane before going smashing back out for another ten laps, six of which were within five tenths of eachother (1:10.1 - 1:10.6). Naturally, these were punctuated by four cool down laps, I’m not totally mad.

But that goes to show how consistent both the tyre and setup – thanks Jordy Cox – are, and a testament to the stability of #project86 on track. Due to the hot pace of the Zetis I get the feeling people just keep cutting laps as the tyre barely falls off. This is both a blessing and a curse – great for track-rats but a sure-fire way to destroy some quick road rubber.

VALUE: 

Are there faster tyres? Absolutely. Are there cheaper tyres? You bet.

I think you’d be hard pressed to find a faster, more consistent and better wearing tyre for the price. I will update this once I’ve burnt through them completely, who knows they might go rock hard, but so far I’m a happy camper.

VERDICT:

I wouldn’t recommend these tyres to everyone. I’m a firm believer that sticky tyres can be used as a bandaid fix for bad driving habits. I would point someone earlier in the stages of learning to drive on track to something like the Zestino 07R 240TW tyre.

I’m also of the opinion that newcomers should be out cutting laps without the worry or stress of what their tyres are doing, at least initially. Driving without care will see you burn through a $500 pair of 140TW 07RS Zestis real fast. 

If you’ve done the 200tw + bracket and feel like you’re on the limit of that style of tyre, then the 07RS is a fantastic option. They take some getting used to at first as they walk around on their tread blocks when they’re very fresh, but that goes away fairly quickly. 

The big thing is the consistency and value of the Zestis, I predict we should be good for a total of 7-8 trackdays in the 86 and all the road miles in between, all while smashing PBs – that sounds like a bloody good recipe to me.

Below is our most recent SMSP lap on the Zestino 07RS for anyone that is interested!

UPDATE 28/6/22 - It’s turbo time!

We’re onto our 4th set of Zestino 07RS after a brief hiatus while testing the Zestino 07R and the Yokohama A052. We’re now also running slightly more power with an SME G30-660 turbo kit. Once again these tyres have proven their worth and place in the market. I’ve only been able to string together a 1:07.3 but the aim data shows a 1:06.9 which is a pretty incredible time for a budget tyre particularly given how early we are in the chassis tuning phase now that we’ve added more power - not to mention the fact that i’m still getting my head around arriving into corners 30kmh faster!

We are now seeing some accelerated wear on the rear tyres, after 2 full trackdays (~120+ laps) of very sideways driving the rear tyres look to have about a trackday left in them. The fronts are still kicking on fine showing plenty of life left as expected!

You can read all about our turbo testing here and watch the 1:07.3 lap below!