Metzeler invited us to Palm Springs, California where we were given the chance to try the tires for ourselves and we were immediately impressed. The weather was slightly on the cool side as the ride began and the first set of windy roads wasn't far ahead. As advertised, the Z6 Interact didn't take long to get to temperature and displayed confidence-inspiring stability when the pace picked up and the roads started to bend. During our nearly 250-mile ride we experienced practically every type of riding terrain ranging from boring highway stints, mountain roads and busy urban dwellings, and the Z6 Interact performed without a hiccup. Unfortunately, we didn't get to try its wet performance, but if its predecessor is any indication, then these should be mighty impressive.
Metzeler will soon incorporate the Interact technology into its future offerings, with the Racetec line of track/race tires the next to benefit. A full line of size runs for both front and rear should be available by the time you read this and pricing starts at $183 for the front and $213 rear. –T.S.
Correction Dept
In our description of the Continental ContiSport Attack tires in our Street/Track Day Tire Comparison ("Both Sides of the Fence", April '09), we erred in stating the tires were unchanged from the ones we last tested in '05. Actually, the ContiSport Attack tires now feature the same "Continous-Compound" technology as the company's race-oriented ContiRace Attack tires. Instead of using different compounds on the sides and center of the tire as is becoming common with high performance rubber these days, the Contis use a "single compound…that through a temperature-controlled curing process delivers the benefits of a dual-compound tire without the abrupt transition between the different compounds that dual compound tires are known for," say Continental. Thus, the ContiSport Attack has a "soft compound on the outer edge for maximum grip… but is harder in the center for extended high-speed durability." We also listed an incorrect contact phone number in the story capsule; the correct number is (740) 966-3106. Our sincere apologies to Continental for the oversight.
There was also an error in the Pirelli Diablo Corsa III/Diablo Rosso advertisement on page 35 of the March issue. In an ongoing promotional contest for consumers of the aforementioned Pirelli tires, purchasers can register to win a trip for two to the Miller Motorsports Park round of the World Superbike Championship on May 29-31. The advertisement incorrectly states that "no purchase is necessary." Because this is a contest and not a sweepstakes, it is actually only open to consumers who purchase one or more of the Pirelli Diablo tires. Pirelli apologizes for any confusion this may have caused.