Track tires
#16
Originally Posted by cstyles
The best compromise track tire (meaning can still be driven on the street) available today is the Pirelli Trofeo R. Standard issue on the McLaren P1, 675LT and other track focused super cars. I've run them on my 987 race car and they are very, very good. There is no better dual purpose tire available, but be ready to spend big $ in 997TT sizes.
If you can accommodate a means of transporting your 2nd set of wheels to the track and back, then you can look at the Hoosier R7, Hankook Z214, BFG R1 and other similar tires. These are DOT-legal 'semi slicks', which basically means very sticky R compound rubber with a slick-like tread pattern (or lack thereof). These are dedicated dry track tires, not for use on roads (although still technically legal) nor in the wet.
Before I purchased the track-dedicated 987, I was running the Bridgestone RE-71R's in OEM 997TT sizes on my 997TT. They were good tires for my purposes as a 'newbie'. As someone without much track experience, the RE-71R is a great entry into sticky tires. You're not likely to be pushing these tires to their limit in a 997TT for the first few track days at least - I sure wasn't. They're cheap and should last you a decent amount of sessions / heat cycles provided you're not hammering them.
Here's my track setup, allowing me to run semi-slick R compounds without a truck & trailer combo. I have Michelin PS4 tires on the oem Cayman rims to get me to and from the track, which double as rain duty tires when applicable.
If you can accommodate a means of transporting your 2nd set of wheels to the track and back, then you can look at the Hoosier R7, Hankook Z214, BFG R1 and other similar tires. These are DOT-legal 'semi slicks', which basically means very sticky R compound rubber with a slick-like tread pattern (or lack thereof). These are dedicated dry track tires, not for use on roads (although still technically legal) nor in the wet.
Before I purchased the track-dedicated 987, I was running the Bridgestone RE-71R's in OEM 997TT sizes on my 997TT. They were good tires for my purposes as a 'newbie'. As someone without much track experience, the RE-71R is a great entry into sticky tires. You're not likely to be pushing these tires to their limit in a 997TT for the first few track days at least - I sure wasn't. They're cheap and should last you a decent amount of sessions / heat cycles provided you're not hammering them.
Here's my track setup, allowing me to run semi-slick R compounds without a truck & trailer combo. I have Michelin PS4 tires on the oem Cayman rims to get me to and from the track, which double as rain duty tires when applicable.
#18
Rennlist Member
Trofeo R wear so quickly. I'd consider them if they lasted as long as the Sport Cup 2's.
If you're trailering to the track the Hankook 214's are a great option. Well priced and used by many on 911's.
If you're trailering to the track the Hankook 214's are a great option. Well priced and used by many on 911's.
#19
Another vote for Nitto NT 01. I've gone through a couple sets and they grip very well in dry. I've also tried Toyo R888R but switched to Nitto after reading about on track failures. The R888R gripped just as good as the NT 01. Neither of these tires will do well in the rain or wet. I would not run street tires on a dry track even when starting out as a novice. More experienced drivers might tell you it's better to start on street tires to better learn the limitations of your vehicle. I disagree.