Tire options for track days (and sources): Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

Jan. 27, 2010 9:24 a.m. dyintorace Dork

I am looking at various tires for my upcoming track day in my RX-7 and am curious what folks recommend for track days, HPDE's and possibly occasional auto-x. I'm not looking to set fast lap times in any event I participate in, but do want something that is suited for track use, as opposed to street tires.

My first choice would be a DOT-rated tire of some sort, as opposed to true slicks. While I've participated in track events over the past 20 years, I don't feel the need to go to true slicks.

And being in the GRM state of mind, I'd love to find some suitable tires that are used but with life left. I reached out to Lee (Zamboni Challenger) but he doesn't have anything that matches what I need at the moment. I've checked the SCCA forums, the NASA forums, CL, ebay, etc. Does anyone have any other good suggestions of sources of used race tires?
Jan. 27, 2010 9:32 a.m. mw Reader

What size wheels?
Jan. 27, 2010 9:41 a.m. dyintorace Dork

I have a set of 15x10 Aeros that are an option and I am going to pick up a set of 17x9 Mustang Cobra R replicas for sale locally.

My concern is that the 10" rims will be too wide.
Jan. 27, 2010 9:44 a.m. ncjay Reader

If all goes well, I plan on doing a track day or two this year. My plan for tires is this. There's a company in Kannapolis, NC that retreads all kinds of tires and I have a set of almost bald street tires on my car right now. When I purchase a new set of tires, I will get the old ones retreaded as slicks for use on track days. Have not yet looked into prices, so I can't comment on that. My biggest expense so far was purchasing a spare set of rims to mount the slicks onto. http://www.towelcityracingtires.com/
Jan. 27, 2010 9:50 a.m. joepaluch New Reader

dyintorace wrote: I'm not looking to set fast lap times in any event I participate in, but do want something that is suited for track use, as opposed to street tires.

My first choice would be a DOT-rated tire of some sort, as opposed to true slicks. While I've participated in track events over the past 20 years, I don't feel the need to go to true slicks.

Toyo RA-1's if you can find them. Great R compund tire that will grip well and last a long time. Plust when it has tread it is a fine street tire too.

Finding these used however is hard as they just went back in production after they tired to replace it with the R888. The R888 is an ok tire at best and sadly can't match the longevity and no brainer factor in the RA-1. Sadly it was never any faster either.
Jan. 27, 2010 10:15 a.m. Brotus7 New Reader

I got a used set of RA1s from ebay and they were cheap and held up well to a track day and a ton of autoxs (not ideal for the tire since they never get up to temp. Does that still count as a heat cycle?)

I'd look for a popular size and just stick with it. My car was happy with 205x50x15's, and the Spec Miata/E30 guys keep those inventories going. I may need more tire with the blower now, though.
Jan. 27, 2010 10:20 a.m. dyintorace Dork

The Toyo RA-1 sounds ideal! I saw several sets of those for sale on ebay (most from GRM'er Lee) in the 205/50/15 size, which, as Brotus7 noted, would be ideal for cars like Miatas.

Unfortunately, I think I need a wider tire, especially in the rear, given the car's HP.
Jan. 27, 2010 11:35 a.m. ZOO Dork

I run RA1s or R888s all summer. I don't bother taking them off the cars for the amount of driving I do. I like the ability to drive to an event, run at the event, and drive home from the event on one set of tires. Neither Toyo is the ultimate autox tire. They are excellent lapping tires, and pretty durable.

I am in the minority amongst Toyo enthusiasts, however, because I actually prefer the R888 double G compound on my Miata to the RA1s.
Jan. 27, 2010 2:05 p.m. 2002maniac Reader

V710s do well on the track and are a very hot auto-x tire. i think they are the only tire that does both well.
Jan. 27, 2010 2:14 p.m. dyintorace Dork

I found a barely used set of Toyo RA-1's in Deland, FL just now (I'm in Gainesville). I'm trying to figure out how to get down there and pick them up though. Anyone passing through that area on the way to or home from the 24 hours?
Jan. 27, 2010 4:14 p.m. stumpmj Dork

I'd reccomend street tires. If you haven't done an HPDE before, the limits will be lower and you'll be more likely to actually drive the car all the way up to the limit. You'll also be a bit less likely to wreck if you go over the limit (thanks to lower speeds). Kuhmo Ecsta MX if you want to be cheap (they can be pushed very hard before they overheat but they do make a lot of noise on the track. They also have about 0 grip when cold and that goes double when the track is wet), Nitto NT-05 if you want to go fast (probably the fastest street tire on the track you can get. I haven't used them but trust worthy reports says they're as fast as an RA-1 and don't overheat when pushed).
Jan. 27, 2010 4:33 p.m. dyintorace Dork

stumpmj wrote:

I'd reccomend street tires. If you haven't done an HPDE before, the limits will be lower and you'll be more likely to actually drive the car all the way up to the limit. You'll also be a bit less likely to wreck if you go over the limit (thanks to lower speeds). Kuhmo Ecsta MX if you want to be cheap (they can be pushed very hard before they overheat but they do make a lot of noise on the track. They also have about 0 grip when cold and that goes double when the track is wet), Nitto NT-05 if you want to go fast (probably the fastest street tire on the track you can get. I haven't used them but trust worthy reports says they're as fast as an RA-1 and don't overheat when pushed).

Thanks for the advice. I've done several HPDE's over the years, all on street tires. Ready to move to a dedicated track tire/wheel combo at this point.
Jan. 27, 2010 5:49 p.m. Apexcarver UltraDork

I would probably run any of the following

Victoracers (Khumo) NT-05 (nitto) RA1/R888 (toyo)

Fast with longer wear charastics.

I ran some admittedly shot Victo's on my mustang for my first year of R-comp autocross and they are maybe a second off on a one minute course to V710's. Full tread depth also works in rain which is something to consider as it sucks to be sidelined.
Jan. 28, 2010 10:42 a.m. dyintorace Dork

Apexcarver wrote:

I would probably run any of the following

Victoracers (Khumo) NT-05 (nitto) RA1/R888 (toyo)

Fast with longer wear charastics.

I ran some admittedly shot Victo's on my mustang for my first year of R-comp autocross and they are maybe a second off on a one minute course to V710's. Full tread depth also works in rain which is something to consider as it sucks to be sidelined.

Thanks Apex! I am trying to figure out how to get the Toyo's home as I write.
Jan. 28, 2010 11:10 a.m. Keith PowerDork

The Toyo triplets (RA-1, R888, NT-01) all come in a 225/45-15. Same diameter as a 205/50-15, makes a good stagger setup. This size is not used on Spec Miatas, so they're a lot harder to find used