MikeJim

In the past year, I did 18 DE events (advanced solo). I started the year on Michelin PS2's but got exasperated with the high cost and low performance. Mid-season, I switched to the Bridgestone RE11's. A perfect tire for occasional street use and driving to and from the track...and on the track. Lower cost, better performance.

Now I've bought a trailer and am taking the next step down the slippery slope. I'll keep the 19" Bridgestones for street use and as backup "rain" tires at the track.

And I'm getting a second set of 18" wheels for exclusive track use. The question is: What's the best choice for track rubber? Toyo Proxes R888 (some tread) or Hoosier slicks? Or something else?

Nugget

The RE11 is a great tire. I'm on my second set now -- street use and the very occasional track day. They're magic in the wet, so they're my fallback for track weekends when there's rain.

I like Nitto NT01 more than R888s. Both can be driven to and from the track, which can be convenient if you're not ready to start trailering the car or tires around. Either is significantly grippier on track than the RE11s.

I run Hoosier R6 normally, though. The grip and consistency is addictive -- but it's an expensive addiction. I know some people who can nurse a set of NT01s through a whole season, but I only get 5 or 6 days out of a set of Hoosiers. It's a big jump in cost and logistics (you can't drive them on the street).

Definitely get 18" wheels for the track, that's great thinking. Tire selection is better and the lighter weight is definitely noticeable.

Spiffyjiff

since you already have rain backups, i'd go ho-ho slicks.

MikeJim

What size Hoosier R6 are you running? 245/40ZR18 & 295/30ZR18? I have all GT3 suspension, slightly lowered.

What about the Nitto NTO1?

brendo

the tough thing about hoosiers is people have a fear of driving them to/from track because of punctures. if you're on a trailer, you can take your first hit off the pipe

TAI2

It also depends on your alignment. In the end, the best alignment for R888 is not the best for R6's. While R888's or NT01's are great on the wallet, the Hoosiers are a hoot. I drive on R888's as it is more economical and treat myself to 1 set of R6's per season (even though my alignment is not optimal but a lot us will never really notice it). Go for the 18's as the tire selection is much better.

Nugget

For the record, in a pinch you can fit four 18" wheels with Hoosiers inside a GT3. It ain't pretty, but it's possible.

I run 245/35ZR18 and 315/30ZR18 on O.Z. Alleggerita wheels (8.5" front, 12" rear) for the Hoosiers. For NT01 235/40ZR18 and 315/30ZR18 work.

RonCT

I was always concerned about the rear tire diameter of 26.3" for the 997 cars. ABS, PSM, etc. are all tied together and I've read technical info talking about not varying too far from "stock specification". So in the old days (pre 997) it was pretty much 25" front and 25" rear, so you had all sorts of tires to pick from. Now with 26.3" rear, it's limited, but of course there are plenty drivers out there not sticking with that larger diameter.

That being said, I've tried Cups, RA1s, and R888 - all available in one way or another in about 26" rear. Of those, I like the RA1 the best. The 888 is terribly loud, which may not bother you if you aren't driving the car to / from the track. It's a nice all-around tire, but it took about 3-4 track days for them to settle in and really stick at the limit.

If you want to try the RA1 let me know. I have a set that still have plenty of life left in them - maybe 3/32 (shaved to 5/32 when I got them).

mdrums

Nitto does not have a rear tire size for your 997.1

You can you either:
245-40-18 front
305-35-18 rear

or

255-35-18 front
315-30-18 rear

245/305 combo will give you the same overall diameter as stock
255/315 combo will lower the car due to the shorter sidewall profile

Both of these combo's are with in the % front to rear as not to upset the ABS on the 997.1 car.

mdrums

+1 another great point....you can use less camber on RA1 or R888 Toyo's but will need more camber for Hoosier R6.

Mike in CA

I'm trying to sort out the info in this thread as I am considering a wider tire wheel setup when my current 18" MPSC's (235/295) eventually need replacing.

Nugget, you say you are running 245/35ZR18 and 315/30ZR18. You have a widebody GT3RS, correct? Also mdrums, you are suggesting that the OP could use 255-35-18/315-30-18 on his Carrera S.

Are there no rubbing/clearance issues with either of the combinations mentioned above? The GT3RS has more room for tires, obviously, but I'm surprised that tires that big will fit on a C2S. Not doubting, just surprised. Just to be clear, can I really fit 245/315 or 255/315 on on my C2S with 20mm lower sport PASM chassis?

Apologies to the OP. Maybe this will be useful to you too.

utkinpol

if on trailer - hoosier R6 or Kumho V710. kumhos have a bit less grip than hoosiers but will last much longer.

toyo ra1 and nitto nt01 have less grip than kumhos but they have tread so you can drive on them to the track relatively safely.

toyo r888 have mixed reputation these days. i think they are ok tires.

bottom line - drive on those tires which you can get for cheap. last season i was able to get a complete set of 265/335 kumho v700 (not v710, v700 are inferior ones) for $800 shipped so I ran on them just fine, and at the end of season got set of 265 v700 fronts shaved for $75 per tire new, so, I simply threw away old fronts and will put on new ones as i kill fronts much faster than rears. keep shopping around and check for deals. just a month ago 335 RA1 were available for $195 so I got a set of those too.