ian996gt3

I am looking to buy a set of track wheels and tires for my 2004 GT3 for the upcoming season. I am fairly new to the track although I was hooked from day one… I attended 4 DE events last summer/fall at Limerock and NJMP. I was in the green run group for all four events, but my last instructor strongly encouraged me to move up to yellow for my next event. I am currently running stock wheels with Michelin PS2s. After reading through rennlist I have decided on OZ Alleggerita wheels (18x8.5 FRONTS and 18x11 REARS), however I am debating several tire options. I know people will probably have very different opinions when it comes to tires, but I am hoping to come to a decision based off the general consensus from the comments I receive. (Also, I have to drive back and forth to the track so Hoosiers are obviously out).

My first question concerns tire size.
Option A: 235/40 18s FRONT & 295/30 18s REAR (ie stock tire size)
Option B: 245/40 18s FRONT & 315/30 18s REAR (will these fit the wheels & not rub on the inner fender liner?)

My second question concerns tire brand.
Option 1: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup. 235/40 18s FRONT & 295/30 18s REAR (ie stock tire size).
Option 2: Toyo Proxes R888. 235/40 18s FRONT & 295/30 18s REAR (ie stock tire size).
Option 3: Toyo Proxes R888. 245/40 18s FRONT & 315/30 18s REAR.
Option 4: Nitto NT-01s. 245/40 18s FRONT & 315/30 18s REAR.

Any advice / suggestions you guys might have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks very much.

Best,
Ian

Chris R.

For a novice, I suggest not using R-comps right off the bat.
A good street tire is a better idea until you lean how the car handles, how what you do affects the car etc. Having a sticky tire will mask your mistakes and you will think you are better than you are.
A set of Pilot sports, P-Zero rosso, etc would be a good start.
Just IMO of course.

onelove

I agree with Chris, I would stick with a second set of PS2s for the track until you're Solo qualified and have some additional seat time. Once you get to that point I'd go with Option4, from a cost and grip standpoint the Nitto NT01s are a phenomenal bargain.

4porsh

You will learn more with your driving on a max summer tire starting out.
Once you and your instructor feel you have command and skill handling of the summer tire then move to the R-compound tire. If you move too early with the R-compound the tire will mask driving mistakes.
Sounds like you will have two sets of rims. I have Nitto NT05(summer tires)245/40and 295/35 on my heavy stock rims which I use for street driving and wet track days. On my second lighter set of rims i run Nitto NT01 R-compound tires 245/40and 315/30 for max track tire.

I really like the Nitto brand for value, longevity, feel, and grip. Yes there are tires out there with more grip, but with a compromise of the above.
Nitto tire are a great all around tire.

I would put NT05s on your new rims for the track and practice tell you need new tires, by then your skills will have improved with lots of seat time then buy NT-01s.

just my 2 cents

LVDell

Echo the other advice.

There is absolutely ZERO reason to have R-comps for a DE in any student group as well (IMHO) in the entry level solo group. Until you feel that you have found (and controlled) the limit of the car in a solo environment, then and only then are you ready for an R-comp tire. And at that, I would not suggest anything grippier than the NT-01, R888, RA-1, etc..

As a point of reference, I did not run R-comps until I felt that I truly knew the limit of the car and the tire. What tire was I using? Bridgestone S02 and then "moved up" to the PS2. Heck, I drove street tires for several events in red when I first got my first GT3 as I wanted to make sure I truly understood the dynamics of that car. Then I moved to NT01 for quite some time before ultimately trying Hoosier R6 and then used slicks.

Remember, you will have less margin for error and thus have the ability to learn less as you go up in grip level. Anybody can drive quick around a circuit on a set of warmed up R6's. It's the truly talented driver that understands the behavior of the car at the limit BEFORE it even happens that will find those 1/10th's that the other driver will never find.

Serge944

I ran my first few events in the GT3 on the street tires (PS2s). If you're not trailing your car, the NT-01 is really where it's at for an R-comp you can drive on the street. They're cheap, long lasting, predictable, good grip, and streetable. In fact, I've put on 1500 street miles this past couple months on my NT-01s. They're not nearly as noisy as the R888.

rodneyr

Just starting out learning more about driving techniques & the tracks, and don't focus on the tires at the beginning. Other than checking the tire pressure focus on what your instructors are telling you and have fun.

After another DE season or two when are you are more comfortable with the car then you can focus on tire choice. For now the stock PS2's should be fine.

85Gold

Save your money and just say no to PS2's. Yokohama AD08 is a much better option for DE. 235/40 front 295/30 18 rear. IMHO YMMV

Peter

Q&A

Since i drive my car from and to the track, i prefer N coded tires (PS2, MPSC) for possible insurance issues.
Not sure how that works in the US but here the insurance company could possibly give you a hard time not having N coded tires.

Number54

Agree with everyone, no r-comps yet.

I have Yokohama AD08s, good LEARNING track tire. My fastest lap is always the first one, so I presume they lose grip more quickly than others. But they squeal nicely so you'll know what's happening before its too late.

I used to run Bridgestone Potenza RE-01s (now replaced with RE-11s) which seem better, but I never ran them on the GT3 so I can't compare properly.

Regarding the "quietness" of NT01s, I had a set of those and they sounded like I had a bee in my ear! But I have never run R888s or slicks so maybe they are relatively quiet. I'm probably too sensitive.

DHI

Ian,

I received the same advice on this forum about a year ago or so. I still went ahead and got a second set of wheels with the NT01s and had an excellent and fruitful summer with them.

Having said that, I just read through Ross Bentley's Speed Secrets over the Christmas vacation, and guess what? I am yearning for the ****tiest tire I can find for the car. Ross states that if you aren't ever so slightly sliding into, around, and out of every turn of the track (tire slip angle theory) you haven't tapped out the max speed potential.

This converges with what an instructor mentioned to me last summer, where for many years he took pleasure in running tires with the traction of "hard lawnmower wheels" and run those until he could have them scream around every turn of the track.

I am now thinking of getting a third set of wheels with some Sumitumos or Hankooks to burn and learn the fine art of consistently working a car at optimal slip angle.

LVDell

Bingo! Finding (and controlling) the slip angle on the street tire is exponentially less difficult than trying to do so on the R6. Most of the guys on R6's aren't even able to dance in the slip angle window anyway. Start on the street, learn the feel of dancing on the edge and when you choose to move up in grip level, your ability will be better than most.

996FLT6

Ian I take it you are running fixed back seats half rollcage harness etc? Mike

Nordschleifer

I ran my first GT3 season with PS2s and stock seats. It was a great way to learn to drive the beast. Second season I upgraded to MPSCs, Euro seats, harnesses and Tarett toe links. Totally different driving ! It was an amazing experience to drive with "sticky" tires for the first time.

brad@tirerack.com

I think I agree on PS2's for now. Maybe Yokohama AD08 also until you get some more time. If you really want to go more DOT track, the Sport Cup is pretty hard to beat. Please give me a call.