Track Day/AutoX Tires Rankings

[Vapour Trails]

Originally Posted by RodeoFlyer If you simply don't want to lug tires or change them at the track (you're pulling the fronts off anyway to change pads aren't you?), then get some Toyo RA1's or Nitto NT01's, and drive to and from the track on them - but no more. Both of these tires last forever. It's like having her on the pill. : ) This is exactly what I've been doing after getting fed up with changing tires at the autocross site. Generally our autocross days are back-to-back, so I put on the V710s at home, drive to the site, autocross, drive home and repeat the next day. This way I change the tires twice instead of 4 times, and with the help of an impact gun. Changing all 4 at the autocross site with handtools for 4 minutes of racing is just silly. Also, I went straight from the stock pirellis to the V710s. Is it covering up bad driving? I don't know for sure, but it is a hell of a lot more fun. The tires that everyone in my club is going crazy for are the Kuhmo XS and Dunlop Direzza Z1 starspec. Neither of these come in any useful sizes for an S197. I'm still trying to figure out what I should do for next year. I will continue to AX, but I also want to attend an HPDE event. I'm worried if I buy a set of sticky street tires for all purposes that I will just kill them really fast from DDing. Even the guys in my AX club that plan on running street tires next year are talking about having 2 sets, so they don't waste the sticky tires on the street. Well, if that's the case, why not just buy a R-comp tire for racing, you're still changing tires.

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[Sam Strano]

Toyo R1R's aren't really street tires. They durometer softer than my Hoosier H-wets, and @ the ProSolo Finale I ran the last round of the challenge against a Honda driver I am both friends with and sponsor--and he had more pickup on his Toyo's than I had on my Hoosiers.

Be careful, there are a whole batch of "street" tires that are designed specifically to fit SCCA ST autox rules, and as such they often are not what they seem. When you have CRX's greasing up tires on an autox more than an S197 on A6's, it should make you wonder.

[Sam Strano]

Originally Posted by Argonaut

Hoosier Koni Challenge endurance tires. Slicks (by the time I get them) so I can run on either side. These are the tires off the Mustang teams that compete in the Koni Challenge series (one of the crew chiefs is a friend of a friend). The cats meow, sweet tires. Very quite, at the limit. They kind of grip, grip, grip and then break away quick but easy to catch for an experienced driver. Very stiff sidewall. The turn in is immediate and you feel every bump. Because they are endurance tires they actually have pretty good life to them. Unfortunately they are not sold to the public. But I'd think the Hoosier R6 is pretty close.

R6 vs. Koni Challenge tires = not the same. Last set of Grand-Am spec tires I saw were baced on the A3S03 carcass which is nothing like the A/R6 tire. It's a specific spec tire, it's hard as a rock and in no way nearly as fast as the actual built to run against other tire brands best. It's a spec tire, and as such is quite hard.

[Philostang]

Originally Posted by Sam Strano

Toyo R1R's aren't really street tires. They durometer softer than my Hoosier H-wets...

Mmm-hmm. I have no problem believing this; they're some amazingly soft tires for a "street" class. Mean S.O.B.'s, I love them. Now that they've got a couple of heat cycles in them they are really coming into their own.

I should add that they do give you a little bit of audible warning when pushed to the limit. Not nearly as much as street tires, but not that super-silent slick action you'll find on a true racing tire. Just a bit of noise.

Best,
-j

[Sleeper_08]

I want to let all of you know that I appreciate and have been reading your responses and doing additional research on tire company web sites.

Due to the pressures of earning a living I've not had a chance to collect everything into post number 1 but will do so as soon as the time is available.

[14901490]

Can anyone who as actually driven on Nitto NT 01 AND Nitto NT 05 ON THE TRACK , give me a comparison ?
Thanks !

[RodeoFlyer]

Originally Posted by 14901490

Can anyone who as actually driven on Nitto NT 01 AND Nitto NT 05 ON THE TRACK , give me a comparison ?
Thanks !

The NT01 is faster and lasts forever like a Toyo RA1.

The NT05 is a lot more audible in the feedback department, which is good for a new driver.

[Sam Strano]

One is a street tire, one is an R-comp. Which do you want?

[Sleeper_08]

RodeoFlyer

What do you think about driving back and forth to the track on NT01s? I'm thinking of switching to them next year as they seem to offer a good combination of performance and price and come in a good size for me - 275/40/18.

Most days next year the track is about an hour away and once in a while it will be the other track which is about 2 hours away.

A trailer is not an alternative for me as I live in an apartment and I'm also too old and "lazy" to change tires at the track.

[Argonaut]

Originally Posted by Sleeper_08

What do you think about driving back and forth to the track on NT01s? I'm thinking of switching to them next year as they seem to offer a good combination of performance and price and come in a good size for me - 275/40/18.

I've driven on them to and from the track and around the city, hiway, etc. They wear really well for super sticky, so thats not really an issue. They also don't heat cycle out like some Hoosiers do. But...they throw up a ton of gravel onto your flanks and their tread depth is pretty minimal, so I wouldn't want to run them in heavy rain. If this is your only tires, then I'd advise something different. If this is your second set and you will primarily just be driving to and from events...go for it.