Zuluracerx

I guess I am going to be buying a few slicks for my Cup. Is there agreement on what seems to work the best? What should I expect to pay for a set? 280/68/18 and 240/640/18 is what I have been told are the sizes. Thanks, John

fleadh

Michelin is best.

-mike

Zuluracerx

Thanks Mike, that's what I thought. What should I be paying for a set?

fleadh

I think they're $2200 a set last I checked.

-mike

jrgordonsenior

John I saw your cup tucked in between the bleachers at WS. It's a beautiful car.....
Mr. Hedlund's correct in that most cup drivers prefer Michelin's over the Yokes though the Patron series Yokes are darn close. Additionally Michelin has recently come out with some slightly larger tires for the 2012 Supercup series with 9.5 and 12" rims. The tires are 25/64/18 and 30/68/18. Those tires would certainly be well received on a cup with the WHP your car has. I assume your car camw with 9's and 11's which limits you to the sizes previously mentioned. I great buy available right now in the traditional 240/280 cup series tires is the 2010 Yokohama IMSA Cup/Patron series tires from last year. Trackside Performance, the US distributor for their race tires, is located in Orange County and has them on sale at $1,800. per set down from $2,250. last year. That's probably the best deal available right now....

Here's Michelin's race tire catalog: http://subesports.com/pdf/MichelinRa...1_SinglePg.pdf

Another choice would be to go even wider to the RSR spec'd tires at approx. 280/650f, and 320/650 rears. Yokohama and Hossier make those slicks in similar sizes and are priced around $1,700 per set substanially cheaper than the Michelins but they would require wider rims more like 10's and 12's . ....

Zuluracerx

Thanks JR. I do love the idea of getting more rubber on the ground as I certainly have the HP to turn the increased weight. My wheels are 9's and 11's. I wonder where I can get a good deal on a set of wheels to run the 280 and 320's you mention? I love the look of the real (2007) RSR wheel - they are insane, but not sure they will fit on my car. In fact, I know the centerlock mechanism is different so I probably answered my own question. But it sure would be cool...

coryf

If you have 3 piece wheels you should be able to change the width and offset to whatever you want. I wouldn't use a 650 on the rear. Not enough load capacity for a cup and the risk of a failure is too high. With stock size rear quarters the 24/64 and 28/68 N1 Michelin is the quickest choice. If you go wider the 25/64 30/68 N1 Michelin and the World Challenge Pirelli are very good. The "normal" Michelin is available in the 30/68 25/64 and is (was) cheaper and not much slower than the N1.

jrgordonsenior

John this is absolutely right. I screwed up and should have said 320/680 rear. It's even more relevant in that this is a very powerful 4.0 liter cup....

Zuluracerx

Thanks guys, as you can tell I have a lot to learn about the basics and I sincerely appreciate the help. I guess the flexibility is one of the cool things about being relegated to GT1. I know I am done with used tires and want to give myself as much help as I can with the best rubber for the car.

claykos

RSR is 31/71 rear and they are tough to fit. Requires very careful setting of ride heights and suspension to make it work right. Needs a 13" wheel too. Don't think you could fit it without RSR rear quarters, or at least some sort of flare.

Surfbum

^ RS rear quarter panels and tub the inner wheel well will work

James-GMG

John,

Are you sure your have the stock 18x9 fronts and 18x11 rears?
With the larger front fenders, you either have a different offset front wheel or a larger than 9" front wheel...but I could be wrong.

The RSR tire won't fit on your car.....not with those stock quarters and no mods to them.

Regarding tires, I did 2 back to back tests at Willow 2 weeks ago and found the WC spec Pirelli .5 seconds faster than the new 25/65/18 and 30/68/18 Michelins.....trust me, I was surprised too! This substantiated our findings at Rennsport when we were .5 seconds slower than the Pirellis run there a month ago under the same conditions.

The Pirelli compound felt a little softer as the Michelin was so much harder after one heat cycle. Then the fronts went away on the Michelin and that killed the performance of the tire.
The Pirelli size is 275/645/18 and 315/675/18.

John, with your 4.0, I can make some wheels that fit the Pirelli tire as you will want that bigger wheel/slick combo.


James

jrgordonsenior

I think eventually you'll end up with the larger rims and fenders to accomodate them. In the interin while you're getting comfortable with your new beast I think the best bang for your buck is the 2010 Yokohama Patron tires @ $1,800. per set.....

Zuluracerx

JR, I think you hit the nail on the head. I need to get used to the Beast as I am probably only reaching 6/10ths of it's capability. My best lap was 1:26.2" and the data logging showed only 500 pounds of brake pressure into T1. I guess the car is capable of up to 1200, so right away I know I am braking way too early and way too light to be fast. I'm certainly not out of tire. But, I'm a fast learner and plan on woking those tires a lot harder next time out. I do love the idea of eventually getting 10" fronts and 12" rears, heck maybe even throw on some RSR quarters and go all the way. How many heat cycles should I expect while I am in the newbie phase? 8? 10?

Zuluracerx

James, I asked Loren and he confirmed they are 9's and 11's. It does sound a little strange as I know the front wings are 20mm wider than stock...

What size wheels are on that incredible 996 RSR? They looked identical to the 997 RSR wheels, which are one piece, right?