Track Day Chat

///maestro

also - need some suggestions.

I'm stuck between two sets of tires. NEXEN SUR4G 275/40/18 and Federal RS-RR 265/40/18

both are about the same price. The nexens aren't offered in 275. I'm currently running 275 and contemplating bumping down to 265. I've got a buddy who swears by his nexen tires. Anyone try the Federals?

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osbornsm

How does one get stuck with two no-name tire brands? Class restriction?

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///maestro

I’d love to hear how those two brands are considered “no-name.”

The only reason I know of those two brands and tire models are through Motorsport & recommendations from fellow track rats. I’m not going to go out and spend $1500 on tires if I’m only doing HPDE events at this time.

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JARblue

Because they are cheap and no one who takes track tires seriously would consider them. I'd certainly never put either one of those brands on my Z. I have heard of people using both though. To each their own.

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///maestro

Both brands were recommended to me by time attack competitors....LOL. Do you compete or are you just blowing smoke out your pooper?

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NorthStyle

I haven't heard much about the Federals but the Nexens have been highly rated by some of the locals here and by a few of the Gridlife competitors I've been able to speak with. I plan on trying them out later this year.

bpchaos

I've run the Federal RS-RR in that size. They run wide for a 265.

My experience is that they are:

1. Loud. They sound like a mudder, with a frequency that isn't easily tuned out with more noise.

2. They hook well almost immediately. Your out lap can be your warm-up lap, and they're ready for times the next lap. I'd say they are comparable to a Hankook RS4+ in terms of grip.

3. They are pretty uncommunicative. They grip well but they're a bit sloppy and don't squeal at the limit. Either that, or they've deafened you so you can't hear it. The extremely stiff sidewall means you can get quite good turn-in and responsiveness, but again, it's sloppy and you're guessing at your slip angles.

4. Longevity and road manners are okay. I would say pretty typical of a "200" treadwear tire, and I drove them from Los Angeles to Thunderhill during the winter so it's... bearable.

5. They are scary in the wet. The tread is pretty much entirely useless, BUT FLAMES YO.