Vitour Tempesta P1 Tires: A Comprehensive User Review and Performance Breakdown

he Vitour Tempesta P1 tires have been making waves among driving enthusiasts for their impressive performance, durability, and versatility. Whether you're an autocross enthusiast or a track-day regular, these tires offer a unique blend of grip, wear resistance, and adaptability across different surfaces. This review provides a detailed look at the performance of the Vitour Tempesta P1s, based on personal experience and rigorous testing.

Testing Setup and Vehicle Details

• Vehicle: Stock Grand Sport Corvette
• Alignment: Mildly aggressive autocross alignment
• Wheels: Spec Racing SC6R wheels
• Rear: 345/30R18
• Front: 295/30R18 (preferred over 315 for better turn-in response)

The testing environment consisted of 22 runs on brand-new tires after a 50-mile drive to the event. The setup included varying asphalt types, ranging from porous and dusty concrete to smooth blacktop, providing a diverse testing ground for the tires' performance.

Key Highlights of the Vitour Tempesta P1

1. Exceptional Durability and Minimal Wear

One of the standout features of the Tempesta P1s is their remarkable durability. Even after 22 runs, the tires showed barely any noticeable wear. Compared to competitors like the Bridgestone RE-71R, Falken Azenis RT660, BFGoodrich Rival, and Yokohama A052, the Tempesta P1s demonstrated superior wear resistance.

Competitors often exhibit rapid outer-edge wear due to their "melty" compound characteristics, which deliver strong one-lap performance but degrade quickly. The Tempesta P1s, on the other hand, maintain their integrity and performance lap after lap.

2. Improved Performance with Heat

The Tempesta P1s are unique in that they consistently improve with use. Unlike many tires that peak in performance early and degrade under repeated hot laps, these tires gain speed and grip as they warm up. This makes them particularly suited for hot lapping or extended track sessions.

During testing in Las Vegas, with fluctuating asphalt conditions, the tires demonstrated impressive adaptability and consistent performance across surfaces.

3. Optimal Tire Pressures for Performance

Experimenting with tire pressures revealed that starting at 27 PSI provides the best results. After back-to-back runs, the pressure naturally increases to 32-33 PSI, which seems to be the sweet spot for optimal grip and handling. Starting at higher pressures, such as 30 PSI, resulted in less desirable performance.

Surface Adaptability

The testing environment included two distinct asphalt types:

1. Porous and Dusty Asphalt: Demonstrated consistent grip with minimal slippage.
2. Smooth Blacktop: Provided an opportunity to test the tires' ability to handle smoother surfaces with varying traction levels.

In both cases, the Tempesta P1s maintained their grip and exhibited minimal tire wear, outperforming many competitors in similar conditions.

Comparison with Competitor Tires

Tire Model	Durability	Heat Management	Lap Consistency	Best Use Case
Vitour Tempesta P1	Excellent	Improves with heat	Consistent	Autocross, Track Days
Bridgestone RE-71R	Moderate	Degrades quickly	Inconsistent	One-lap scenarios
Falken RT660	Good	Peaks early	Moderate	Autocross
BFGoodrich Rival	Moderate	Degrades quickly	Inconsistent	Short track sessions
Yokohama A052	Moderate	Quick peak, then fade	Moderate	Autocross and short track runs

 

Real-World Results

During testing, the stock Grand Sport Corvette, equipped with the Vitour Tempesta P1s and a mild autocross alignment, achieved the following results:

• Class Placement: 2nd in class
• Overall Placement: 10th overall against highly prepped competition

These results underscore the Tempesta P1s’ ability to deliver competitive performance, even when paired with less aggressive setups.

Why Choose the Vitour Tempesta P1?

1. Durability: Minimal wear even under extensive use.
2. Consistency: Improves with heat and delivers lap-after-lap performance.
3. Affordability: Competitive pricing compared to high-performance rivals.
4. Versatility: Performs well on different surface types.
5. Competitive Edge: Suitable for both amateur and professional drivers.

Final Thoughts

The Vitour Tempesta P1 tires are a game-changer for enthusiasts seeking reliable, high-performing tires that won’t break the bank. Whether you're looking to dominate in autocross events or improve your times on track days, these tires are a worthy investment.

With their unique ability to perform better as they heat up, minimal wear characteristics, and adaptability across surfaces, the Tempesta P1s are gaining popularity—and for good reason. If you're considering new tires for your performance vehicle, the Tempesta P1s should be at the top of your list.