CT03911

Damon, You guys need to sell Nitto's.
I recommend anything except the expensive Michelins.
Don't even bother with spare wheels.
Learn the car on "less expensive" street tires so when you move up later you are a better driver. Learn the car well. When it lets go and you have anticipated it or even induced it and are still smiling instead of scared or lucky you caught it it is time to move to Rcomps.
By then maybe Tire Rack will have Nitto's and everyone will be happy!

TomGT3

I agree

I am a few events ahead of you (10 + 10 AutoX) and have just switched from PS2 to Yoko AD-08. I hope you can feel when the PS2s start to slip or I wouldn't change until you do.

I received the same advice here and at DEs, to make a slow progression to R comps. Many instructors have even warned not to move to NT-01 to soon (before solo).

Only problem is AD-08 can be hard to get, so order them quick while T/R has them.

Dwane

I followed that instructors advice and I'm quit happy with the results as well
The 2 Chris's are an asset to our region.

996FLT6

If you are getting a 2nd set of rims why not get some and try an autocross? Safe and get to know what rcomps do at the limit. Autox to be fast u need grippier tires- start with that. Mike

Qwickrick

Safety first....before upgrading your tires or suspension, upgrade your safety with a roll bar, track seats and harnesses, and of course a HANS device.

spare tire

PS2s are great tires for what you are doing. You should be able to get 12 - 15 trackdays from them. You can improve your skills alot with them. When they start "chunking" is the time to consider moving up to stickier tires. By then you will be above the design limits of the PS2s. Start inspecting your tires between run sessions for: pressure, temp, tread wear. Start recording your lap times and adjust tire pressures to where you like them. Talk to others at the track with; the same tires; the same car; faster lap times. Treat everything you hear with a grain of of salt, including what is on this forum. (Chunking) is when small bits of tread fall off the carcass of the tire. Usually on the outer edge. Sometimes exposing the cords or an inner layer (not the tread layer) of rubber. By small bits, I mean 1/8 inch wide x 3/8 - 1 inch long. You will know it when you see it.
The OZ Allegritas are a good choice for a second set of track wheels.
Very experienced GT3 drivers have told stories of how scary it is driving home in the rain from a trackday with "slight tread depth" R compound tires. Do not risk your car in that way with only 4 track days under your belt!

RJFabCab

Ian, we're glad you're hooked. Have you set up that separate hidden bank account yet?

Ditto all the comments about staying away from R-comps. Much more is to be gained in car control skill at lower grip levels... with less consequence. Stay on a max performance street tire. Go 'slower' now to go far faster later in a much safer and controlled manner.

As Mike and Rick have mentioned, relax on the go fast mods and parts. Those will come in time. Focus on safety.

To answer you questions:

1. I would stick with OEM sizes to keep things simple. However, since you're picking up another set of rims, you may want to consider going a little wider in the front to give you more options later (9" vs 8.5").

2. R888s are directional... you won't be able to flop wheels from one side of the car to the other without flipping the tire on the rim. MPSC and NT01s are asymmetric... so, you can flop 'em all day long.

Most here probably prefer the NT01 over the MPSC, but I don't have much personal experience driving NT01s. I have tons of seat time on MPSCs and R888s. MPSCs are sweet in the sweet spot, but once cycled, they take forever to heat up. R888s are pretty decent IMHO but they feather like a mother unless you shave 'em.

So, it sounds like NT01 would probably be the best choice for you. But I would stick with a street tire and keep it the same tire as on your other set of rims to give you more options at the circuit. You'll burn rears 2:1 over fronts...

Cheers

FFaust

Great minds think alike David; I also just got the Ross Bently book

OP, Great advice here, which distills to: Progress at your own pace.

If you track a lot, you'll be going through lots of tires, so you'll have the opportunity to try lots

I like the Sport Cups, they have become my go-to tire. Got a set in the Spring, and then went through a couple of sets of R6' after the Cups had hardened to hockey puck consistency. Kept the Cups to run around town a bit, and still had them at the end of the season, long after the Hoosiers had expired. Finished the track season on the same Cups I had started it with... and had great fun

BTW, I have the same OZ wheels, and I think that the rears are a bit too narrow for the 315', based on the rounded wear that I've seen on the Hoosiers. I will be trying a set of 295' next.

ian996gt3

Thanks everybody for all the advice and suggestions. Its pretty cool that I can write a question and get so many responses from people all across the globe in such a short period of time.

In terms of safety - yes, I will be running porsche GT3 Recaros, harnesses, and a Tequipment roll bar. These items were not in the car last year, but are sitting in my garage waiting to be installed.

I certainly appreciate the advice to wait a while longer before moving to R compound tires. Perhaps I will wait... I still have some time to think about it before the season starts. That said, my PS2s aren't exactly brand new and I am planning my schedule to get to as many track days as possible this year (hoping for 12+ days). So I am pretty sure the PS2s will not make it through the whole season. Two of my four instructors have suggested that I upgrade to more track oriented tires.

Nitto NT-01 users: Have you experienced any issues running the larger 315 rear tires? Is the 11.5 inch wheel really big enough to run a 315 rear tire? (i.e Have people experienced the same "rounded wear" that FFaust has?)

Toyo Proxes R888 users: Is there a significant difference between running 295 rears vs 315? Does the extra width result in more grip? Or is it better to stick with the stock tire sizes?

Thanks again for everyones comments.

Backmarker

Nah, screw waiting

Get the Nittos now and enjoy the grip these cars deserve

I'd run 235s in front in less you have enough negative camber and space to avoid rubbing

LVDell

235 or 245 in front with 315 in the rear. I ran 315's on both the 11" and 11.5" wheels.

ian996gt3

Sorry - I meant the 11 inch wheel above (i.e. stock rear wheel size), not the 11.5 inch I stated in my previous post.

FFaust

315 are fine, I just want to try 295 R6' to see if it gives me a different wear pattern. Get what is available to you; I would love to try the Nittos, but they are very expensive in Canada.

Whatever you get, try to be carefull with the diameter. The 996 likes similar front and rear, or larger front.

mkk62

imho stick with ps2's til you are screeching all around the track..really helps to learn throttle steering, etc...i knew i was ready for r comps when after about 4 yrs on ps2 i corded a fresh set of ps2's in one day....

mike

Chris R.

Watch the video.