Zestino tires?

Saw a blurb in one of the groups on the book of faces for some upcoming drag radials in 275/60/15......

Looking over on alibaba shows they make a bunch of rally and “circuit” slicks....

Any word?

Sounds iike a great pasta sauce.  That's all I got.

I think a lot of drift guys rus zestinos

Don't know anything about them as a drag tire. They're a decent 2nd tier tire for autox or road course stuff in the 240tw... buddy of mine imports them. I believe they're working under the Valino brand now since he's operating under that brand now. 

I'd only run them for track days and only at the right price. 

I think they're marketed better in Canada, I've heard the speed academy guys talk about them before.

It’s the Italian version of Tostitos. 

Nitroracer said:

I think they're marketed better in Canada, I've heard the speed academy guys talk about them before.

Ya we have a group of guys that use them up here based on that low price. There is a group buy going on right now and for a cheap price i can get a set of Circuit C01 (or whatever the "DOT Slick" is called) - but like anything, you get what you pay for. I don't have a racing budget, i just get out to the track 3-4 times a year and i will used a set of tires for 2 seasons if all goes well. I'm not going to sway away from what i know works for my car to buy something that may or may not produce the same results. Whats in a name? very little, what matters is who and where its made. So these tires are marketed as "Designed in Japan" which leads me to believe they are made somewhere else, the sizing is out to lunch - and they don't publish tread, section width or even diameter or recommended rim width - what are they hiding? Terrible quality control, that's what! With something as important as tires, while 30-35% savings is a big deal at first glance, its really not much at all when you end up buying the tires you need after these cheap offshore units don't deliver. it's like the old saying goes: "Cheap, Fast, Reliable - Choose 2"

matt

In the budget track tire category, I'm still sold on Federals.

I have run them on a miata and a neon back to back with Fedreals... The Federals are a nicer tire in my eyes. 

In reply to JBasham :

I have two sets of the RS-RR's now and am interested to see the new Pro model they have coming out. If they are any quieter than the RS-RR's they are already a win. Ive never been in a car louder than a Fiesta ST with 205/50R15 RS-RRs. Its like a freight train is underneath you. Horrible road noise but damn do they stick.

RS-RR?  Hell yes, they're loud.  My first out, I thought I was losing a bearing.

In reply to Ranger50 :

I am the sales manager from Zestino, any interested to buy our tires?

In reply to kevinatfms :

We have 100 tread wear with super soft compound now. 

Bernie_zestino said:

In reply to kevinatfms :

We have 100 tread wear with super soft compound now. 

How much for a set in 205/50R15? Also in 195/50R15? Shoot me a good price and maybe we can throw some Zestino stickies on the Chump car build. We have a set of Federal 200tw RS-RRs on one set of wheels and the second set was going to be 195's in a BFG Sport Comp 2 but if i can get a set of track tires for the same as the BFG's its worth it.

I have a friend that sells tires, catering to the local drift crowd, and he loves Zestinos.

No personal experience.

SkinnyG said:

I have a friend that sells tires, catering to the local drift crowd, and he loves Zestinos.

No personal experience.

I have a buddy in Houston doing the same. 

In reply to spacecadet :

Hey, Would you like to Share his contact with me? 

Uh, bump. Came across this because I lrarned zestino makes (made?) a rally tire. Anyone know anything about em?

Curtis said:

Sounds iike a great pasta sauce.  That's all I got.

I just asked my wife the first product that comes to mind when I say "Zestino" and she said "pasta sauce"

Personally, every time I hear it I think it's like a fancy version of Ritz crackers for some reason. 

---

OP, there are a few people in the US rally community that run their rally tires. I haven't heard anything bad about them in particular, but they aren't particularly popular either, which may or may not mean anything. My recollection is that the guys running them are mostly out west, and may or may not be friends with the person who imported them. I don't hear about them much though, so my guess is they haven't taken off as an alternative to the Maxis and Federal rally tires that are already very affordable and very good. 

bluej (Forum Supporter) said:

Uh, bump. Came across this because I lrarned zestino makes (made?) a rally tire. Anyone know anything about em?

see my post above. We can discuss this weekend. Jon Kramer and I think also Kimmett use Federals, same ones we use, if that tells you anything. 

Matt said:

Nitroracer said:

I think they're marketed better in Canada, I've heard the speed academy guys talk about them before.

Ya we have a group of guys that use them up here based on that low price. There is a group buy going on right now and for a cheap price i can get a set of Circuit C01 (or whatever the "DOT Slick" is called) - but like anything, you get what you pay for. I don't have a racing budget, i just get out to the track 3-4 times a year and i will used a set of tires for 2 seasons if all goes well. I'm not going to sway away from what i know works for my car to buy something that may or may not produce the same results. Whats in a name? very little, what matters is who and where its made. So these tires are marketed as "Designed in Japan" which leads me to believe they are made somewhere else, the sizing is out to lunch - and they don't publish tread, section width or even diameter or recommended rim width - what are they hiding? Terrible quality control, that's what! With something as important as tires, while 30-35% savings is a big deal at first glance, its really not much at all when you end up buying the tires you need after these cheap offshore units don't deliver. it's like the old saying goes: "Cheap, Fast, Reliable - Choose 2"

matt

Not that it really much matters, but since you were wondering - Zestinos are made in China (PRC) but my guess is they are flipped to US distributors via Europe to avoid tariffs.(Federal tires are made in Taiwan and not subject to the same tariffs). 

"Designed in Japan" probably means they are direct copies of a Japanese rally tire (perhaps Yokohama or something) - much like the Chinese "One Free Country" and "Winda" trailer tires are exact copies of the Goodyear Marathon trailer tires (which were made in China as well and are now out of production). FWIW I have the Winda tires on my trailer and they are just as good as the Goodyears (and again, are almost totally identical in every way other than the logo). 

bluej (Forum Supporter) said:

Uh, bump. Came across this because I lrarned zestino makes (made?) a rally tire. Anyone know anything about em?

Just found out about them, and Google brought me here.

They're kinda expensive compared to the budget alternatives. ($800 shipped for four 13")