Today at Atelier Kaz - ex-Honda R&D, F1, Indy/CART engineer

Started looking for the front tyres over the last few months.

While I wanted to try the BS Potenza RE-71R, seemed like not available in UK yet and on this occasion, front set only so decided to stick with the Neova AD08.

As I knew from the past experiences that AD08 series are not always in stock and could take months, best start checking the stock level once you past the point where 1/2 - 1/3 tread left.

I normally use Camskill for the price reference and start the search from there.
Ebay is also a good place for price check.
Blackcircles is now owned by Michelin (ATS is also owned by them) so from time to time, offering very good deal on selected brands.


For my 16" OEM front wheel, 215/45/16 was out of stock at Blackcircles for a while.
Other places were in stock but the fully fitted price was not competitive enough.


Not high priority task as still enough treads left and November - December time, everyone seems to be focusing on Christmas and rushing on everything so didn't bother with the search.

Come New Year and as Japan was still in the middle of long holiday season, bit extra time for me so re-visited the tyre search.

Found out that AD08RS (not the 08R) was back in stock at Blackcircles and even offering 10% discounts on Yokohama tyres.

The stock level within UK looked to be fine and considering the tread amount left, not urgent but since the tyre was 5 years old, decided to replace them.


Compared to the original AD08 followed by the improved 08R, RS version are getting mixed feedback especially from trackday usage but will see how it performs.
I just like the balance of dry and wet performance with AD08 series.
As long as you know what you are doing, no scary moment even over the standing water.

Not sure it's the same modification applied from 08R to 08RS in Europe but in Japan, despite keeping the same model name,
Yokohama started delivering the different chemical compound version of 08R since early 2019 and so far, no distinctive negative feedback because of this change.

With just extra £6, Blackcircles was offering mobile fitting service and since I prefer removing/fitting the wheels by myself, clear choice for me.
Including the extra cost for the mobile fitting, the total came out as just under £210 for 2 tyres all inclusive so I was happy with it.





The mobile fitting van arrived and the tyre person looked so familiar to the F1 team member that I used to work with more than 10 years ago.

And guess what, he was indeed the good old team member.

What a coincidence.


If I knew, I could have gone direct instead of Blackcircles.
Had good chat while changing the tyre and I'm quite sure I'll be using his service later this year as I probably need replacing the rear set as well.

He is based in Tring, Herts and covers the nearby area so not all owners will benefit from his service but worth checking.
Depending on the different offers available at the time of ordering, sometimes it's cheaper to go through the Blackcircles but again, worth asking.

He started as tyre engineer at one of the big tyre company, supported Formula series before joining the F1 team so he spent so many years in tyre world.

During the day, he is traveling so best contacting him through email. info@thetyrechangers.co.uk


Wishing him all the best for the future.



Kaz