The Best Track day Tyre

[Ben NBR Cup]

Hi All,

I know this question just get asked so many times but i am struggling to find a definite answer, i know everyone has there own preference but i was just seeing what people recommend on a dry track tyre. They have to be road legal. I use Toyo R888s at the moment and they are pretty good but i wasn't sure if there is a better tyre to use ?
Also what tyre would you recommend as a wet tyre as i have two sets of wheels so i want a great dry tyre and a great wet tyre.

Thank you all
Ben

 

[JamesBryan]

I'd just stick with what you have now and go with the Toyo R1R as a wet tyre.

 

[sburrell93]

Out of interest why do your dry tyres have to be road legal? Get a decent set of wet tyres (Toyo R1Rs, Yoko AD08s etc) and use them on the road too. Frees up a few options for dry tyres (like Yoko A048s which are no longer road legal)

 

[PAUL JA]

I always rated the A048 when running them on the MK1 Focus RS and wouldn't hesitate using them again
I had pilot sport cup + on the Mk2 Focus RS and they were superb (didn't try them in the damp or wet though)
The AD08's are a decent choice and as said above you can use them on the road also
No1 son ran in a few rounds of Time attack last year and used the NS2R in 120 compound - these performed very well for a budget tyre
For the wet he ran standard Conti 5's
In Time attack this year the control tyre for Clubman is the Pirelli Trofeo (semi slick) - not run them yet but we expecting great things !!
For the wet he again has to use Pirelli - so it looks like there best road tyre in the wet is the P Zero - again yet to be tried

 

[Ben NBR Cup]

Out of interest why do your dry tyres have to be road legal? Get a decent set of wet tyres (Toyo R1Rs, Yoko AD08s etc) and use them on the road too. Frees up a few options for dry tyres (like Yoko A048s which are no longer road legal)

I was thinking that on the way to work why don't I do that. So as a not road legal one what would you go for ?

 

[Ben NBR Cup]

I always rated the A048 when running them on the MK1 Focus RS and wouldn't hesitate using them again
I had pilot sport cup + on the Mk2 Focus RS and they were superb (didn't try them in the damp or wet though)
The AD08's are a decent choice and as said above you can use them on the road also
No1 son ran in a few rounds of Time attack last year and used the NS2R in 120 compound - these performed very well for a budget tyre
For the wet he ran standard Conti 5's
In Time attack this year the control tyre for Clubman is the Pirelli Trofeo (semi slick) - not run them yet but we expecting great things !!
For the wet he again has to use Pirelli - so it looks like there best road tyre in the wet is the P Zero - again yet to be tried

Thank you very much there's so much to choose from, the NS2R look interesting but there are bring a new one out aren't they I think they are called the AR1s
I run P Zeros on the daily and I must admit they are good

 

[Ben NBR Cup]

I'd just stick with what you have now and go with the Toyo R1R as a wet tyre.

I will have a look into them thank you

 

[sburrell93]

I was thinking that on the way to work why don't I do that. So as a not road legal one what would you go for ?

I'm not sure what is/isn't road legal anymore really. I know some track tyres like the AO48s recently had their E marking removed, not sure what else though. I know people rate Dunlop Direzzas and Yoko A048s highly. The Direzzas appear to pretty much be regarded as the best, but they're pricey.

Personally, I'd see what you can get a hold of easiest/cheapest. Unless you're racing, there's not enough of a difference IMO to warrant spending massive amounts on a brand new set of Direzzas or similar if you can get a slightly lesser tyre for a lot cheaper, maybe from a local race series or something. Lots of them get rid of sets that have only seen a qualifying or practice stint. For example I just got 3 sets of nearly new A048s for £25 a tyre, compared to buying new at £120 per tyre.

 

[imprezaworks]

Thats mega cheap at £25 a tyre

 

[MarkX]

Thank you very much there's so much to choose from, the NS2R look interesting but there are bring a new one out aren't they I think they are called the AR1s
I run P Zeros on the daily and I must admit they are good

avoid NS2Rs, good tyres but after 888s you'll be disappointed

 

[Mini182]

IMO the best 'track day' is a tyre that gives you good feedback, doesn't cost a fortune, and won't wear out in 5 mins. You are not chasing lap time on trackdays.

Dunlops, Yoko's, Toyo's etc all good tyres.

But the most enjoyable trackdays I have had in the past were on standard road tyres. I wasn't going very fast but was having lots of fun!

 

[MarkCup]

But the most enjoyable trackdays I have had in the past were on standard road tyres. I wasn't going very fast but was having lots of fun!

Exactly this. Give me four of the same of just about anything and I will have a lot of fun.

 

[StuOwen86]

I had loads of fun on my Michelin PS3 at Oulton last week, Only because I was having an issue with the wheels with my 888's on not fitting with my stud kit, but was still a laugh with the PS3 and for £40 a tyre (195-50-15) they are cheap enough to replace it you kill a set, I was using them as a wet tyre but I have yet to do a track day with rain lol (been on about 15 so far in the last 16 months) I'm lookin at alternatives to my 888's if you have a look in my thread here you may see some options for your dry tyre (I'm toying with the idea of the new Nankang AR-1 which look decent and cheap lol or the Dunlops can be had off eBay a little cheaper than buying new) http://www.cliosport.net/threads/what-to-replace-my-888s-with.790106/

 

[JamesBryan]

The AR-1 from Nankang are too cheap to pass on really. £70, that's on par with the AD08r really and that's a good road/track tyre.

 

[Stay Puft]

I'm not sure what is/isn't road legal anymore really. I know some track tyres like the AO48s recently had their E marking removed, not sure what else though. I know people rate Dunlop Direzzas and Yoko A048s highly. The Direzzas appear to pretty much be regarded as the best, but they're pricey.

Personally, I'd see what you can get a hold of easiest/cheapest. Unless you're racing, there's not enough of a difference IMO to warrant spending massive amounts on a brand new set of Direzzas or similar if you can get a slightly lesser tyre for a lot cheaper, maybe from a local race series or something. Lots of them get rid of sets that have only seen a qualifying or practice stint. For example I just got 3 sets of nearly new A048s for £25 a tyre, compared to buying new at £120 per tyre.

If you fancy passing on the good deal, i'm after trying out a few used premium brands!

 

[terryc101]

Are the new AR1s road legal?

Currently using R1Rs on the road and 888s on track with the option of using the R1Rs if it's wet.

 

[sburrell93]

If you fancy passing on the good deal, i'm after trying out a few used premium brands!

I got them from @MG cup, although not advertised through CS. Not sure if he has any sets left.

 

[Ben NBR Cup]

Are the new AR1s road legal?

Currently using R1Rs on the road and 888s on track with the option of using the R1Rs if it's wet.

Are the R1Rs good in the wet just because I am at the Nurburgring in September so i want to be ready if it rains

 

[JamesBryan]

Are the R1Rs good in the wet just because I am at the Nurburgring in September so i want to be ready if it rains

They're basically an R888 but with more tread.

 

[terryc101]

Are the R1Rs good in the wet just because I am at the Nurburgring in September so i want to be ready if it rains

I'm yet to use them on track wet, but on the road they've performed really well in wet conditions.

 

[Ben NBR Cup]

They're basically an R888 but with more tread.

I see that's cool I will have a look into them see how much they are

 

[Ben NBR Cup]

I'm yet to use them on track wet, but on the road they've performed really well in wet conditions.

It's a weigh up whether I just run a really good road tyre or have something more sporty compound of you know what I mean

 

[Ben NBR Cup]

Are the new AR1s road legal?

Currently using R1Rs on the road and 888s on track with the option of using the R1Rs if it's wet.

Not sure they do look pretty smart though I am going to go and ask my local tyre shop see if they are and how much

 

[JamesBryan]

If you want to be really quick in the wet, get yourself some Dunlop full race wets.

 

[imprezaworks]

How many days will you realistically be doing. I've tried a few tyres and rate the rsr's as the best for me. Ultimate hero grip, no. Long stints and fun, yep.

 

[Ben NBR Cup]

If you want to be really quick in the wet, get yourself some Dunlop full race wets.

I did think about this but I am guessing they are not legal on the road ?

 

[imprezaworks]

Nope

 

[Ben NBR Cup]

How many days will you realistically be doing. I've tried a few tyres and rate the rsr's as the best for me. Ultimate hero grip, no. Long stints and fun, yep.

Well my car has been off the road for nearly a year getting it track preped so I am hoping to do a few this year get my money's worth out of it lol. It's booked in September to go to spa for a day and then the next two days after at the Nurburgring but I like a really grippy car rather than over steering and all that I know it's fun but I like pushing the car hard

 

[Ben NBR Cup]

Nope

I didn't think so

 

[Mattty]

Anyone have experience using Toyo T1-R's on track?

 

[imprezaworks]

I don't but they will be crap

 

[RS Charlie]

I've had Continental CS3s on the Clio and T1-Rs. IMHO the CS3s had the edge despite being worn.

 

[Stay Puft]

Anyone have experience using Toyo T1-R's on track?

Weren't actually too bad. Saying that, i've not used anything else but rainsport 2s, and the toyos were better.

 

[Stay Puft]

Ao48s a waste on the road?

 

[MarkCup]

Anyone have experience using Toyo T1-R's on track?

Yep. When it comes to fun these are right up there. The carrier bag thin comedy flexing sidewalls see to that. Even in a straight line you can get a bit of a weave on.

 

[Superninj]

Anyone have experience using Toyo T1-R's on track?

I've ran them on my 172 cup for 3 trackdays and varying conditions. They are crap to be honest, make alot of noise and don't offer much grip. Soft sidewalls mean higher than expected pressure needed to stop them rolling over the edge and wearing the tyre heavily. They are fine for the road or a moist track but when its a hot day you want to be running a better tyre.

 

[RS Charlie]

avoid NS2Rs, good tyres but after 888s you'll be disappointed

That's funny. I agree the R888 has a little more grip, but the NS2-Rs don't seem to give up in 180 compound flavour. The R888s I managed to overheat on the 'Ring's GP circuit in a 205 GTi 1.6!

 

[imprezaworks]

I'm tempted to try the nankangs as I've used the rsr's before. Wether to go for the softer compound as I don't do many miles really.

 

[PAUL JA]

I'm tempted to try the nankangs as I've used the rsr's before. Wether to go for the softer compound as I don't do many miles really.

The 120's are a decent budget semi, we ran them last year on numerous track days and a few rounds of Timeattack with no issues. We'd be running them this year also but TA has announced Pirelli as the tyre supplier