nash

The Trofeo R is absolutely faster than the MPSC1. I'd assume MPSC2, as well. I get a second or more at Cresson out of them (I get about 2s on the 3.1). I run consistently lower times on the Trofeo R compared to Sport Cups, and the real no brainer is that they are about $600/set cheaper. Wear is similar (roughly 5 track days).

The new/old choice in the R-compound mix is the R888, which finally comes in a 997.2 RS fitment. They are a further $500/set cheaper than Trofeo R! I've only run one set of R888 in my life, on my 996 Turbo, so I'd need another set at least to figure it where they rank. I'm sure they are slower than Trofeo R, but you save a whopping $900/set over the OEM tires... I like to go fast, but that's nothing to sneeze at considering almost all DE laps are "unclean" (traffic etc).

If I had your car, I would never put another set of OEM tires on and go exclusively with Trofeo R (or possibly R888 if the savings/speed ratio was amenable). I'll never put OEM tires on my RS again.

NB: I'm basing this on mostly track miles. If you street the car a lot, the Trofeos might not last long at all, as their treadwear is a good chunk lower than MPSC. I ended up getting a second set of wheels with Super Sports for street use. Considering I can save close to $1k/tire set, the wheels pay for themselves quite quickly

Petevb

It seems like you're assuming it's going to be very similar to the original Cup- you've never tried the Cup 2, right?

Cup 2s are supposed to be over 2 seconds faster as well, and the wear rating has doubled. They test well on your car, you might give them a chance:

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article...2-Launched.htm

Macca

trofeo R may not be faster than new MPSC2 but I can confirm they are quicker than MPSC1 on 997.2 GT3 as per my earlier posts.

R888 are an old compound and out dated tyre IMO. They are popular in UK and Europe where theres rain. they last longer. Nitto NT01 and Hankook Z221 are superior modern design and compound and would in our group on virtually every machine form 3.2 to 996 Cup be quicker on a 2 mile circuit by 1-2s...

Just another POV. Our circuits have elevation and perhaps different surface structure than Northern Hemisphere etc

GrantG

Here it is. Note, quite a few changes to the car since the article, but the essence is there:

Mike in CA

Another really beautiful and unique car posted in this thread! Thanks for sharing it with us, Pete.

Macca

Grant. Thanks mate. Looks great. Will save to my desktop (savour) it tonight!

P.S. May be rude to ask but any idea what the previous owner to you had in it to make it like this?

GrantG

I bought it directly from the builder (sight unseen from a Rennlist ad in 2003 - I had someone describe it to me over the phone when it was being shown at Porsche Parade in FL - we made a verbal deal and he drove it to me in Denver after driving to FL from Quebec).

I bought the car for a price that would seem ludicrously low today, but it was not cheap for a lowly 911T in 2003 (ordinary stock samples traded for around $10k to $12k then and I paid several times that). He may have made a profit on the parts (but I doubt it), but he must've written off his labor (of love) that took him two years. He only tracked the car for one morning and feared the car was too nice to be used that way. I didn't share the sentiment - this has been the most enjoyable car on the track I've ever driven and really fun in the local mountains here (I've added a period correct heater/defroster with Stainless heat exchangers, as well as many performance enhancements).

irish guitar

Grant, thanks for posting - that's a great article about a great car. Enjoy! (and give me a shot at buying if/when you ever want to sell...)

Regards,

Vivian

GrantG

Thanks

nash

Fair enough, I haven't driven those yet. I assumed they did not come in my fitment as Tire Rack doesn't stock the rear size, strangely. According to Michelin's website, it does exist. To guesstimate pricing, I put in RS front tire and non-RS rear tire and it actually comes out to a similar price to Trofeo R.

In that case, I'd probably try a Trofeo once to see which I preferred, but it does sound like the Cup 2 is a good tire and not ludicrously expensive (which was my complaint about the OEM RS Cup).

TRAKCAR

Holy crap guys, serious awesomeness being posted here.....

24Chromium

Petevb

Yea, I'm not sure why Tire Rack isn't listing them yet, but they were able to order them for me. Took just over a week. If the Michelin web site list them as in stock they can get them...

hf1

[/end of thread]

I'm right behind Macca, if you ever think of selling.

TrackFan

Grant...................If you ever get the itch to sell. Keep me in mind.