Dedicated Track Tires

Nikon FM · 11-02-2009, 09:37 PM

Any suggestions on what a good track tire would be for a technical high speed course (Pacific Raceways)? I'll be running with the OEM wheels (getting a second set).

The plan will be to do the exchange wheels/tires/brake pads the night before and then drive ~20 minutes to the track. So far the Nitto NT05 looks reasonable but additional input is definitely welcome.

Thanks

ChrisSlicks · 11-02-2009, 10:02 PM

In 19" sizes I think you're choices are limited to:

Nitto NT05
NT01 (stickier tire with some rain grooving).
Bridgestone RE-11

import111 · 11-02-2009, 10:07 PM

Do you want to stick with street tires or are you looking for R-comps?

JoeD · 11-03-2009, 12:51 AM

Why are you looking at the NT05 for a "dedicated track tire?" They are great, but merely R-compound street/track tires. They (along with Toyo's RA-1...nearly identical tire except for tread-pattern) would be good if you only had one set of wheels to drive on for both the street and track. I would recommend those along with Michelin Pilot Sport Cups.

For a track-tire, the Hoosier R6 is your best bet (and you can still legally drive on the road, although you run the risk of tire-damage). If you want to step it up to actual racing-slicks, then your options are wide open beyond that. I used Goodyear G19 for two seasons until switching to Michelin Pilot Racing Slicks.

import111 · 11-03-2009, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeD

Why are you looking at the NT05 for a "dedicated track tire?" They are great, but merely R-compound street/track tires.

NT-05's are not R-comps at all actually. NT-01's are Nitto's R-comp.

Z1Performance · 11-03-2009, 07:54 AM

I've been using the Toyo R888 for awhile now, and absolutely love them. They actually will take some street use too if you treat them reasonably. The Hoosiers are fantastic for strictly track use, we use them on one of our BMW ITS cars

ChrisSlicks · 11-03-2009, 08:39 AM

Forgot about the R888's, those are great tires.

He listed his requirements as being able to drive 20 miles to the track so presumably he wants to be able to drive in wet sessions with the tires as well, so no full r-comps.

JoeD · 11-03-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by import111

NT-05's are not R-comps at all actually. NT-01's are Nitto's R-comp.

Oops, yeah...that's what I meant. I thought he was refering the NT-01. In that case, running an NT05 as your "track-tire" makes even less sense.

Nikon FM · 11-03-2009, 07:55 PM

Thanks for the inputs!

The idea is to have good "sticky track" tires that are legal on the street. I have about a 20 minute drive to Pacific Raceways and would like to get the car ready to go the night before and then just drive to the track ready to go the next morning.

A friend of mine drives/tracks a 911, a modified C6 Vette and a GT40. He has also recommended the R888s. With the recommendations here and his I think the R888 is a win......hopefully they will work with the OEM wheels ( I'm getting a second set just to mount the other tires on).

Thanks again

ChrisSlicks · 11-03-2009, 08:12 PM

The sizes are a little bit off size wise, but not bad considering this is a track tire. You'll need to run:

Front: 265/30ZR19
Rear: 295/30ZR19

Myself I'll be running Nitto NT01's on 18" wheels next year purely because I got a deal on a lightly used set.

imag · 11-04-2009, 08:46 PM

If you're a track newbie, why switch tires? The stock tires hold up pretty decently and have great grip for street tires. I think, and I've heard it said by others, that you learn a lot more about proper car control without the crutch of ultra-sticky tires. They prevent you from exploring the limits from seeing your mistakes as easily. Just a thought...

One other benefit: track tires are just going to cause more brake issues, fuel starvation issues, etc., which isn't much fun...

Mike · 11-04-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imag

If you're a track newbie, why switch tires? The stock tires hold up pretty decently and have great grip for street tires. I think, and I've heard it said by others, that you learn a lot more about proper car control without the crutch of ultra-sticky tires. They prevent you from exploring the limits from seeing your mistakes as easily. Just a thought...

One other benefit: track tires are just going to cause more brake issues, fuel starvation issues, etc., which isn't much fun...

I agree, kind of. Track tires don't make a lot of noise when they are about to give way, and when they do break loose, they do it in a very quick fashion, where as street tires make some noise and let you know you are approaching the limits and are a little more forgiving. I would do at least 5 events on streets before upgrading.

As for tire selection, I was using used R888s, but they just didn't last too well. I have since switched to BFG R1s and love them. A little less grip than a hoosier, but not enough less to justify the extra cost of the hoosiers. I run 275/35-18 all around myself.

rbratton · 11-05-2009, 06:47 AM

Okay, there are tons of options for 18" wheels, but what are the options for R-Comps on stock wheels? I'm having a hard time finding tires....

ChrisSlicks · 11-05-2009, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbratton

Okay, there are tons of options for 18" wheels, but what are the options for R-Comps on stock wheels? I'm having a hard time finding tires....

Hoosier R6's are one of the few that I found when researching. That's why I decided to buy 18" track wheels.

370sed · 11-09-2009, 07:43 AM

PS the NT-05 are awesome too. I've got them as my street tire and they 'feel' very much like the NT-01, minus the r-comp tire noise. That's a street opinion only... so although they feel track worthy, I've not used them on track, prefering the R1s obviously. Those four R1s fit nicely in the back seat of my Rx-8, so I've got the best of street tire on the way to track, and some of the best track tires while I'm there!

11-02-2009, 09:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nikon FM Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Snoqualmie WA Posts: 973 Drives: 03 996TT Porsche Rep Power: 606	Dedicated Track Tires Any suggestions on what a good track tire would be for a technical high speed course (Pacific Raceways)? I'll be running with the OEM wheels (getting a second set). The plan will be to do the exchange wheels/tires/brake pads the night before and then drive ~20 minutes to the track. So far the Nitto NT05 looks reasonable but additional input is definitely welcome. Thanks __________________ Buddy Revell: "One man's sooner is another man's later"

11-03-2009, 07:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Nikon FM Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Snoqualmie WA Posts: 973 Drives: 03 996TT Porsche Rep Power: 606	Thanks for the inputs! The idea is to have good "sticky track" tires that are legal on the street. I have about a 20 minute drive to Pacific Raceways and would like to get the car ready to go the night before and then just drive to the track ready to go the next morning. A friend of mine drives/tracks a 911, a modified C6 Vette and a GT40. He has also recommended the R888s. With the recommendations here and his I think the R888 is a win......hopefully they will work with the OEM wheels ( I'm getting a second set just to mount the other tires on). Thanks again __________________ Buddy Revell: "One man's sooner is another man's later" Last edited by Nikon FM; 11-03-2009 at 07:59 PM.

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11-02-2009, 10:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	In 19" sizes I think you're choices are limited to: Nitto NT05 NT01 (stickier tire with some rain grooving). Bridgestone RE-11

11-02-2009, 10:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
import111 Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ. Posts: 622 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 191	Do you want to stick with street tires or are you looking for R-comps?

11-03-2009, 12:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
JoeD Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: CA Posts: 495 Drives: Z Rep Power: 0	Why are you looking at the NT05 for a "dedicated track tire?" They are great, but merely R-compound street/track tires. They (along with Toyo's RA-1...nearly identical tire except for tread-pattern) would be good if you only had one set of wheels to drive on for both the street and track. I would recommend those along with Michelin Pilot Sport Cups. For a track-tire, the Hoosier R6 is your best bet (and you can still legally drive on the road, although you run the risk of tire-damage). If you want to step it up to actual racing-slicks, then your options are wide open beyond that. I used Goodyear G19 for two seasons until switching to Michelin Pilot Racing Slicks.

11-03-2009, 07:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
Z1Performance Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. James, NY Posts: 237 Drives: 350Z Rep Power: 15	I've been using the Toyo R888 for awhile now, and absolutely love them. They actually will take some street use too if you treat them reasonably. The Hoosiers are fantastic for strictly track use, we use them on one of our BMW ITS cars

11-03-2009, 08:39 AM	#7 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	Forgot about the R888's, those are great tires. He listed his requirements as being able to drive 20 miles to the track so presumably he wants to be able to drive in wet sessions with the tires as well, so no full r-comps.

11-03-2009, 08:12 PM	#10 (permalink)
ChrisSlicks A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North East Posts: 6,203 Drives: 09 370Z Sport M6 Rep Power: 653	The sizes are a little bit off size wise, but not bad considering this is a track tire. You'll need to run: Front: 265/30ZR19 Rear: 295/30ZR19 Myself I'll be running Nitto NT01's on 18" wheels next year purely because I got a deal on a lightly used set.

11-04-2009, 08:46 PM	#11 (permalink)
imag Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Oakland, CA Posts: 446 Drives: up the wall Rep Power: 16	If you're a track newbie, why switch tires? The stock tires hold up pretty decently and have great grip for street tires. I think, and I've heard it said by others, that you learn a lot more about proper car control without the crutch of ultra-sticky tires. They prevent you from exploring the limits from seeing your mistakes as easily. Just a thought... One other benefit: track tires are just going to cause more brake issues, fuel starvation issues, etc., which isn't much fun...

11-05-2009, 06:47 AM	#13 (permalink)
rbratton Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vine Grove, KY Posts: 89 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 16	Okay, there are tons of options for 18" wheels, but what are the options for R-Comps on stock wheels? I'm having a hard time finding tires....

11-09-2009, 07:43 AM	#15 (permalink)
370sed Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NH Posts: 46 Drives: RX-8 Rep Power: 16	PS the NT-05 are awesome too. I've got them as my street tire and they 'feel' very much like the NT-01, minus the r-comp tire noise. That's a street opinion only... so although they feel track worthy, I've not used them on track, prefering the R1s obviously. Those four R1s fit nicely in the back seat of my Rx-8, so I've got the best of street tire on the way to track, and some of the best track tires while I'm there!