Hello Rennlisters,

After 4 years of running Michelin Pilot Sport Cups (MPSC), on a second set of track only wheels, and used only once at the track. I have been using;

Front 235 40 18
Rear 285 30 18

I have been very satisfied with the grip and even more delighted getting over 40-45 heat cycles which i find awesome.. These MPSC have been around for a long time, and i am pretty sure there must be some technology advancements in the last 8 plus years. Also the prices of these Michelins has gone up a lot this year, and now are running $1500 a set.

Now i am staring to research other track tire options, I have heard good things about the Nitto NT-01 and Toyo R888, although i havent yet found anyone raving about one must have tire, other than the Hossier R6 which i dont want a tire with such a limited amount of heat cycles. I am trying to balance cost to benefit/ value, which is why i am writing to you experts.

The choices are limited, any insight or advice would be greatly apprecated.

Thanks

 

I have a 1999 996C4 and I run BF R1's (245's in front and 275's in the rear). Best tire for the heat cycles vs money.

Marc

 

The R6 is like a serious drug addiction... So, never get started unless you can feed the habbit.
Your best bang for the buck is the BF R1's... which wear like the MPSC and are not as costly as the R6's.
Stay away from the R888's unless you plan on using them as a lesson in drifting. Once they get hot (especially with a heavy car like the 996) you will find them getting loose. That said they do make a okay rain tire.

Just my thoughts.

 

Robb996

The plot just thickens with the BF's in the mix.

 

Hey Chris the price is only $100 lower than the Hoosier on Tire Rack and they do not have a 295/30/18 but do have a 285/30/18. Have you found them to be as good as a Hoosier with longer heat cycle life?

 

Nitto NT-01 have been great for me. They make a 235/40 18 and a 275/35 18 but the diameter is very close. The 275 has a diameter of 25.55 and the 235 is 25.39. I use the 315/30 on an 11 inch wheel. You wont be dissapointed with this tire. Great grip and decent wear. Ive used a few sets thus far for 25-30 heat cycles with good success. The fronts easily have another 5 cycles left but by then the rears are cooked.

 

I personally have not tested the R1's... Several local drivers/racers use them and swear by the extended heat cycles... They seem to be as quick or quicker near the end of their lives... right up until they cord.

 

For a C4S I need 295/30ZR18, looks like I am stuck with PS cups I don't really want to go to hoosiers.

 

45 HCs on a set of track tires! wow! That's good value, even for $1500 per set. In my experience, when driven hard, most R-comps will not last past 30 HCs, regardless of the brand. Most crap out around 20.

This is the age old debate of getting the best performance for your money. These things are typically exclusive of each other. To go fast(er), it costs (more) money. Tires are no exception. There are a bunch of different brands/tires to choose from. Each have their ups/downs.

BFG - R1
Nitto - NT-01
Toyo - RA1
Toyo - R888
Goodyear - RS
Hoosier - R6
Kumho - Ecsta
Yoko - Advan
Pirelli - PZero
Hankook - Z214
Michelin - PS Cup
I think Falken also makes an R-comp.

Then you have the true slicks past these.

With respect to the Porsche crowd, there is a lot of data for the R6, RA1/R888, NT-01, MPSC and R1. The4se are considered great tires for track use. They also have different characteristics based on construction. For example, the R6 doesn't like as much slip angle as the NT-01.

What run group are you in and what is your overall driving experience? Also, what is your car setup? This will give some indication of what tires you should run.

-td

 

First off, thanks for some good information!!!

I am trying to acheive the best consistant tire for the money, I know about the addictive qualities of the Hossier R6, and its funny how everyone compares it to crack cocaine, ( dont want that bad habit as i aready have eneough).....40 to 45 heat cycles seem like a lot out of an R-Compound, but really it depends what track your on, most of my track time is at Watkins Glen where the track is much easier on tires than other tracks nearby. I also switch the tires side to side to ensure they wear evenly. My car has good track set up with lots of negative camber through a X73 suspension. The track wheels are 8x18, and 10x18 rear. I run in the Black run group..

I was leaning towards giving the Nitto`s a try, however the BF Goodrich`s have me thinking, and cant forget about the trusty MPSC..

still confused..

 

Rob, I am sure you have seen me at the Glen with my 996. The MPSC can lay down some fast laps right up until the steel belts (Alex will confirm that ). Several of my friends run the R1's here and find them to be a better option the the Nitro's or R888's. If you want 1st hand data points email Van Svenson (on here as Van). These were going to be my race tire until I found a source of R6 Take off's. Feel free to drop me an eamil or call if you want to talk about any of this.
Cheers, Chris

 

Hi Chris, i`m sure ive seen you at the Glen over the years... I actually had to cut my last track day short, last October (Niagara PCA) with a corded rear.. My first event of 2012 is the cups and saucers early May... Yeah i love the grip and lap times with the MPSC`s which makes me apprehensive trying something less predictable right down to the cords...

I will make sure to look you up at the next event.

thanks for the advice..

 

Rob, I was at the fall Niagara event sans car. You would have seen me walking around with my arm in a sling. When you are at C&S grab Van and talk with him aabout the R1's, he is the CI for HCP. I will be at WGI in April then almost all of May. See you there.

 

go full slick. better than R6

I am never going back to DOT tires.

 

Yes I can confirm that! But if fastest lap times are what you seek, Hoosiers are at least 2 seconds a lap. If all one does is DE then MPSC is a great tire. I used to run those. Once I went with the Hoosier I will never go back. May consider the Hankooks or BF when they make a 295/30/18 rear