Reasonably priced track tyres

[edwarj123]

Hi,
I have 2 sets of wheels, I was going to keep 1 set for the road and the other just for track use (only a few times a year).

What sort of 15" tyres should I be looking at for the track that are reasonably priced?

Thanks

 

[imprezaworks]

@JB21 is our local tyre guru

 

[JamesBryan]

Used track tyres open up your options to the more expensive and better tyres, Dunlop DZ03g, Kumho V70, Yokohama A048.

If you want new tyres at the cheaper end then i'd look at Nankang AR-1 or R888R.

 

[chris blue]

^ ^ As above, go used to start
Ive bought a set of Dunlops used for £40. Coupletrack days left in them. £10 per wheel fitted cheapest i could find (Theyre fine if you dont want to drive there and back to the trackday on them)
Also had a couple 595's given to me with a couple days (Thanks Amin)
Looking for one, or 2 AD08r's as 2 got trashed in a trackday at Lydden (Pressures too low i reckon)

 

[JB21]

As above used track tyres can be a real bargain, but IME can also be hit and miss regarding age and usability. I've had some 17 years old, some that have had bead damage so where not safe to fit, but most have been fine and I've never bought a new track tyre. Always ask for the DOT code (manufacturers date) which will always be 4 digits e.g 3016 (week 30 of 2016). Ive used tyres 10 year old without issue but this is the oldest I'd be prepped to fit, but you could end up with 5 year old tyres that aren't usable if stored outside which are exposed to the elements.

Now i'll always request the DOT codes, pictures showing the whole of the tyre as well as asking about repairs and durability of the rubber. If theyre not willing to give all this info then walk away.

For reference I've just got a pair of 205/50/15 Pirelli Trofeo R's which look pretty much new for £100, these retail at £450 a pair from Demon tweaks.

Another option is the Nankang NS2-R 100 compound, these will be great for occasional track use and are only £63 new, see below. I'm actually contemplating them for the rear of mine.

http://ears.co.uk/tyres/nankang-ns2...comp-100-xl-track-day-tyre-4712622037876.html

 

[imprezaworks]

100 or 120 compound?

Are they any good, heard mixed reviews.

 

[JB21]

100 or 120 compound?

Are they any good, heard mixed reviews.

Bit contradictory the text isn't it, think they're 100 though as I've seen them before from Ears. The 100's will be pretty good and I remember someone using them at Oulton one day and he rated them but said they wear fast.

 

[JamesBryan]

If you want to go fast it'll be at the expense of the tyre. You need softer tyres for the grip.

 

[edwarj123]

Thanks all, so used seems to be the way to go - where's the best place to find these rubber bargains?

 

[JB21]

If you want to go fast it'll be at the expense of the tyre. You need softer tyres for the grip.

..but not to soft as they go off far to easily. I'd say a treadware of 50-80 is a happy medium. Those Avon ZZS I had on at Oulton wouldn't even do a full lap before becoming greasy, they're a treadware of 20 which is more of a wet tyre rating.

 

[JB21]

Thanks all, so used seems to be the way to go - where's the best place to find these rubber bargains?

What's your budget mate and how many do you need? Got my eye on a few on eBay all the time.

 

[edwarj123]

I'll need 4, I wasn't really sure on budget, a couple of hundred quid really at most. I'm not in any rush as I don't think I'll get on a track until at least March.

 

[JB21]

Something like these would be fine...https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GITI-GTR...d=311799447040&_trksid=p2055119.c100022.m2048

 

[JB21]

Even these would do a job for a day or 2 if not to old...https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/toyo-pro...d=232576184823&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

 

[JamesBryan]

..but not to soft as they go off far to easily. I'd say a treadware of 50-80 is a happy medium. Those Avon ZZS I had on at Oulton wouldn't even do a full lap before becoming greasy, they're a treadware of 20 which is more of a wet tyre rating.

Yeah.

Need to use them at certain track temps. Soft tyres on hot days will be no good.

Winter track days you want soft/medium.

 

[Coops Mk1]

as above really, just slap the size you want into ebay and get searching, I always go used and try for local too so I can check then before I carry them away
there are NOS bargains to be had too, got a set of brand new AD08R's for 180 quid other week localish
I also find sometimes buying them already fitted to wheels from facebook groups or the forums can work out sell, use them, kill them and then sell the wheels on afterwards with no tyres

 

[JACAM]

Kumho V70a medium compound. Cheap. Last for ages and on a lightened Clio better than 888r toyo imo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JB21]

Kumho V70a medium compound. Cheap. Last for ages and on a lightened Clio better than 888r toyo imo.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wouldn't call them cheap, good tyres though.

 

[edwarj123]

Thanks guys I’ll go hunting on eBay


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[edwarj123]

I don't really understand the compounds - is 180 to soft or to hard or ok?

 

[JamesBryan]

I don't really understand the compounds - is 180 to soft or to hard or ok?

Higher the number, the harder wearing the tyre is.

I wouldn't go for a 180 treadwear as a track tyre.

Start with the 120 if it's the NS2-R's you're going for.

 

[Coops Mk1]

ai the 180 ns2-r's are pants, about as much grip as federal 595's which is the sum of f**k all

 

[JB21]

Was told by Ears yesterday that Nankang no longer supply the ns2r in 100 or 120 compounds.

 

[JamesBryan]

Was told by Ears yesterday that Nankang no longer supply the ns2r in 100 or 120 compounds.

Really? Bit of a shame that. I thought the 100 was a fairly new one too.

 

[JB21]

Really? Bit of a shame that. I thought the 100 was a fairly new one too.

Could be shite, don't see the 100s anywhere though in 15s.

 

[JamesBryan]

Could be shite, don't see the 100s anywhere though in 15s.

True.