Firehawk Indy 500 Tire Test: Unleashing Peak Performance on the Track and Road

The Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 – a good-value performance tire that’s been around for a while, and for good reason. I’ve been testing one out on my 8th-gen Civic Si, and I’m happy to report that it’s been a pleasant surprise.

First off, the grip and handling on warm pavement are top-notch. This thing sticks like glue when you’re pushing it on the twisties, and it’s just as composed under braking. Now, I know what you’re thinking – what about road noise? Well, I’m happy to report that it’s surprisingly quiet for a sporty tire.

Of course, no tire is perfect, and these are no exception. For one thing, they don’t exactly have a huge tread life – you’ll get a few thousand miles out of them, maybe more if you’re gentle, but they’re not designed for the long haul. And if you plan on taking them to the track regularly, you might want to look elsewhere. These are summer tires, and they’re not built for the kinds of stresses and strains that track duty brings.

But if you’re just looking for a good all-around tire that can handle spirited driving, but won’t break the bank, the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500 is definitely worth considering. The price point is attractive, and you can find sets for around $180 a pop.

So what’s the verdict? For my money, these tires are a great choice if you’re looking for a high-performance summer tire on a budget. They won’t last forever, but they’ll give you plenty of good miles, and they’re a blast to drive. Just remember, performance tires are here for a good time, not a long time!