New rubber.

[stevierst]

I totally agree with you unfazed, and like you have used loads of different tyres. I do believe though that us mere mortals who are not pro racers will barely notice any difference in the different tyres (within that s/t class ofcourse).
The one thing I can't stand is people accusing tyres that they have not used for being crap just because of a name when all they have is a preconception based on little or no fact.