Sticky tires

[MoeBawlz]

With all the threads on tire sizing and wheel fitament I thought I might start some new stuff up here. Hopefully we can get some good input rolling.

I am currently getting more and more into Auto Cross and it has become blairingly aparent that I need to improve myself as a driver however I also am looking to do a tire upgrade. I've been using my Penske K mart specials for the past two events and have still done pretty damn well on them. But not good enough and I feel like my car is on ice most of the time so its about time to look into some decent tires.

I've been looking at several R compound tires but as usual cost is an issue. My question is what do you all run? what purpose do you use the tires for? (street driving, auto x, road race, drag race) What do you think of your current tires? I am looking into Azenis or Hancooks due to the fact that they are relatively inexpensive and something to get myself started into that will help to plant my car a bit more.