Let’s talk track tires
10-08-2018, 02:28 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Let’s talk track tires
Hi everyone,
today I would like to discuss track tires with you. I own a 991.2S with RAS and as such I’m stuck with using 20in wheels. For a number of reasons I don’t want to get in the 19in vs 20in debate and pros and cons.
i’m a fairly fast driver and go through tires too quickly for my taste. I run max negative camber front, ferodo ds11.1 gt3 size on girodiscs fronts and stock size on stock rotors rear. Pads last only 4 track days to backing plate, all 4 corners done.
Here is my experience after 5 track days (6x 25min runs per day)
Bridgestone RE-71R: 2 days, fronts probably good for one more day, rears were bald in center. In their defense I ran them overinflated on a very abrasive track the first few sessions.
Pros: great pricing, sticky right off the gate.
Cons: rears are only 295 whereas the 991.2 runs 11.5 in wheels, so stretched and feels oversteery at times. After 15 min they get greasy. Best laps are usually laps 2-3. Then their performance degrades a bit.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 N1: 3 days and then my fronts started delaminating and I lost a full track day. Better safe than in the armco but very disappointed.
Pros: sticky and very consistent for longer sessions. My best laps are usually laps 7 thru 10.
Cons: ridiculous pricing. They may seem like they’re still good, but they delaminate (chunk) and leave you with your dick in your hand. They are slippery when cold, worse than the RE-71R.
Given there’s about $1k CAD difference per set, even though I like the Sport Cup 2s, the delamination issue pisses me off.
This cognitive dissonance got me searching for more options. Here’s what I found and I would very much like to get your advice:
Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R: new tire coming stock on the new top Camaro. Few reviews but people seem to compare them favorably to the MPSC2s. Hard to find and apparently wear fast, but the price is VERY good. RE-71R-good! Ideally my next set.
Nitto NT-05: 255 front size, stock size ok. Old tech at an unbeatable price but I have no experience with them. May be worth a try as they are cheap.
Toyo R888R comes in 255/315 sizes. Harder still to find and they seem pricey. Still would like to hear feedback from user.
Sooooo any advice? I’m looking for street/track and longevity, even if it means sacrificing lap times. I just find the cost of consumables high compared to my previous car, a GT4.
Thanks
today I would like to discuss track tires with you. I own a 991.2S with RAS and as such I’m stuck with using 20in wheels. For a number of reasons I don’t want to get in the 19in vs 20in debate and pros and cons.
i’m a fairly fast driver and go through tires too quickly for my taste. I run max negative camber front, ferodo ds11.1 gt3 size on girodiscs fronts and stock size on stock rotors rear. Pads last only 4 track days to backing plate, all 4 corners done.
Here is my experience after 5 track days (6x 25min runs per day)
Bridgestone RE-71R: 2 days, fronts probably good for one more day, rears were bald in center. In their defense I ran them overinflated on a very abrasive track the first few sessions.
Pros: great pricing, sticky right off the gate.
Cons: rears are only 295 whereas the 991.2 runs 11.5 in wheels, so stretched and feels oversteery at times. After 15 min they get greasy. Best laps are usually laps 2-3. Then their performance degrades a bit.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 N1: 3 days and then my fronts started delaminating and I lost a full track day. Better safe than in the armco but very disappointed.
Pros: sticky and very consistent for longer sessions. My best laps are usually laps 7 thru 10.
Cons: ridiculous pricing. They may seem like they’re still good, but they delaminate (chunk) and leave you with your dick in your hand. They are slippery when cold, worse than the RE-71R.
Given there’s about $1k CAD difference per set, even though I like the Sport Cup 2s, the delamination issue pisses me off.
This cognitive dissonance got me searching for more options. Here’s what I found and I would very much like to get your advice:
Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R: new tire coming stock on the new top Camaro. Few reviews but people seem to compare them favorably to the MPSC2s. Hard to find and apparently wear fast, but the price is VERY good. RE-71R-good! Ideally my next set.
Nitto NT-05: 255 front size, stock size ok. Old tech at an unbeatable price but I have no experience with them. May be worth a try as they are cheap.
Toyo R888R comes in 255/315 sizes. Harder still to find and they seem pricey. Still would like to hear feedback from user.
Sooooo any advice? I’m looking for street/track and longevity, even if it means sacrificing lap times. I just find the cost of consumables high compared to my previous car, a GT4.
Thanks
10-08-2018, 03:44 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
Seems to me that you have almost every tire covered that will fit your car. One exception is the Hoosier R7, which now produces for the 20" wheel. There is a thread over on the GT3 forum, if you are interested. If you are, know they are as expensive as the SC2's and won't last as long. In addition, they run small. For example, the 305's are really 295's.
10-08-2018, 03:53 PM
#3
Three Wheelin'
What tracks are you driving? If you are are DE'ing, might as well stick with the tire that last's the longest and cost the least. Trofeo R are nice but they are expensive and don't last long. Less number of heat cycles than the Sport Cup 2.
10-08-2018, 04:24 PM
#4
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I drive Mont Tremblant and Calabogie mainly
10-08-2018, 06:25 PM
#7
Pro
I sat in on some interesting discussion at the track one day about suspension setup and tire issues with RAS 911s. I wonder if there is a correlation between RAS and max negative camber that is impacting tire wear? Also, did you have the Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires heat cycled before using them?
You may have already posted this in the GT3 or tire/wheel forum, but I suspect you will get more precise responses there.
You may have already posted this in the GT3 or tire/wheel forum, but I suspect you will get more precise responses there.
Trending Topics
10-08-2018, 06:29 PM
#8
Pro
and FWIW, I’m cautious about going with anything close to a slick on the non-GT cars because we are running with wet sump oil systems. Oil starvation can be a real risk.
10-08-2018, 08:06 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
10-08-2018, 08:09 PM
#10
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
I sat in on some interesting discussion at the track one day about suspension setup and tire issues with RAS 911s. I wonder if there is a correlation between RAS and max negative camber that is impacting tire wear? Also, did you have the Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires heat cycled before using them?
You may have already posted this in the GT3 or tire/wheel forum, but I suspect you will get more precise responses there.
You may have already posted this in the GT3 or tire/wheel forum, but I suspect you will get more precise responses there.
Didn’t get the tires heat cycled and I doubt it would’ve made a difference after 3 track days.
the Sport 4S is about the same price and will chunk just like my old Super Sports did. Seems to be a Michelin flaw...
10-08-2018, 08:37 PM
#11
Race Director
No problems with my Michelin Cup 2 tires. Also you mention Nitto NT05...those are drag radials not made for road course use. The NT01 is the road course tire and a great tire for track days too...but they don’t make the proper sizes for 991.
10-08-2018, 08:44 PM
#12
Toyo R888R: I heard plenty of failures on 911s on these - one person I know still adamant that most of those failures were due to people running too low pressures, but I still stay away for safety
Michelin Cup 2: I ran these exclusively this season. They're not too bad. Seems fast enough, usually reasonably consistent. Similar to your experience, a bit disappointed in how quickly I go through them, especially fronts, despite -2.6 front camber, pretty much the max I can run without some sort of axle spacer.
Trofeo Rs: People like these, they seem to be unarguably faster than the Cup2s, but price point seems a bit much.
Bridgestone RE-71R: Cayman crowd seems to love them - I don't want to run 295 rears though. Supposedly a better performer when cold (ie good for autocross), not as consistent towards the end of a DE session.
Nitto NT-05: I did not actually realize they have our sizes but now that you mentioned it I went to their site and yeah the 255-35 and 305-30 would work (I ran this size in 4Ss before, no problem) - I might try these. It says 200 treadwear, is this in the same class as RE71 ie not a true Rcomp but a cheater street tire? I vaguely remember the fan favorite Nitto RComp to be the NT01?
Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R: Fronts seem to be 255/40, I think that probably won't work.
Michelin Cup 2: I ran these exclusively this season. They're not too bad. Seems fast enough, usually reasonably consistent. Similar to your experience, a bit disappointed in how quickly I go through them, especially fronts, despite -2.6 front camber, pretty much the max I can run without some sort of axle spacer.
Trofeo Rs: People like these, they seem to be unarguably faster than the Cup2s, but price point seems a bit much.
Bridgestone RE-71R: Cayman crowd seems to love them - I don't want to run 295 rears though. Supposedly a better performer when cold (ie good for autocross), not as consistent towards the end of a DE session.
Nitto NT-05: I did not actually realize they have our sizes but now that you mentioned it I went to their site and yeah the 255-35 and 305-30 would work (I ran this size in 4Ss before, no problem) - I might try these. It says 200 treadwear, is this in the same class as RE71 ie not a true Rcomp but a cheater street tire? I vaguely remember the fan favorite Nitto RComp to be the NT01?
Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar 3R: Fronts seem to be 255/40, I think that probably won't work.
10-08-2018, 09:50 PM
#14
Race Director
10-08-2018, 10:03 PM
#15
Race Director
