Arthur

Requesting any opinion on Michelin racing tires. I don't know the model number, except it has "Porsche Cup" on the sidewall. These are not R compound DOT's, but for "racing purpose only". It also has S7A on the side, whatever that means. Bought them used, plenty of rubber left. Will be used only for DE. I will have an opportunity to get racing Yokos and Pirellis in the future. Any opinon on those marques welcome as well. Thank you.

A930Rocket

Are they 275-x-17"? I was at Rd Atl one time and that's all they used on their track cars. Called Michelin and it was not a tire sold to the public, just driving schools.

I've never used any of the above, but the Pirelli's. I liked them, but they were hard to get in my size a few years ago. Now I'm using Dunlops with good results.

Arthur

I have the non-metric sizing, I think. They are 24/64-18 front and 27/65-18 rears. Got them from someone I think you might know, R. Chick from Charleston, SC.

brownd911

The "Porsche CUP" tires are 24/64-18 front with a compound designation of S7 and a 27/68-18 rear with an S8 compound designation. They're available directly from Michelin in the US as new tires. You need to be careful of used slicks as there is no build date on them and it's tough to tell how used they are. Typically, slicks aren't worn to the limit but through a fuel stint of for Club Race use til they don't have the required grip left. If you need a contact at Michelin call 864-458-5000 and ask for Motorsports Customer Service.

A930Rocket

I've been using "used" slicks for several years now and have had great success with them. I do get them from Bob.

If I'm not mistaken, there are build dates on the slicks. How else could mfgs, dealers, end users, etc. verify a tire built a week ago and one year ago?

JC in NY

Slicks really only have half a dozen heat cycles of use in them before the grip goes away. That's why there are so many used slicks available with lots of "meat" but no grip.

Arthur

Thanks everyone. A930, I got a set of Pirelli Zero slicks D4 and D5. They too are used, once at the Club Race here at CMP. I will let everyone lnow how the tires hold up at the event www.turn1motorsports.com is sponsoring 11/21.

kary993

I use Pirelli slicks and like them a lot. Sometimes they are difficult to find in the correct compound, but I usually find them.

I agree with those that said that heat cycled slick lose grip. That is true. You can use for DE purposes though or finding your way around a new track. That is what I do with used slicks, mostly my own used ones though.

I would be interested in trying the Michelin's. Do you just call the motorsports department or are there distributors around that I can call?

A930Rocket

If the heat cycled slicks lose there grip after a half dozen heat cycles, I'd love to try a new set one day! My used ones seem to go, go, go all day long.

I've run with Turn1 at CMP and had fun, although you have to watch out for nuts who don't know what they are doing...Had people wave me by in no pass zones, signal wrong side to pass, etc. Still plan on doing some more though.

kary993

A930Rocket,
You should try a new set some time. Scrub them in lightly and then take off. I tried my first new set last year and it was beyond fun. The limits of a new slick are somewhere out there that I have not completely found yet, some day I hope to find it regularly!

brownd911

kary, Michelin sells direct to consumers - not through distributors for the slicks.

kary993

brownd911, thanks for the feedback!

Arthur

Thank you everyone for your ideas. Just came back from Turn1motorsports event. Weather was perfect. Track was supposedly slippery; most of the veterans said that their tires were plowing. I didn't know what to expect, but the car handled incredibly well. Grip was about the same as Hoosiers. Probably a little better grip when heated up and when at the limit. Definitely very forgiving; there were 2 occasions that I can remember(carousel and the Kink) where I goofed and misjudged my entry speed and almost lifted but hesitated, and then floored it (all in a split second) to power out. I don't know how I got away with it, but the tires kept me out of trouble, almost as if they were telling me, "WTF, Art? You didn't really want to do that, did you?" A blast, and highly recommend it to everyone. No drop in oil pressure during turn 11, so starvation is probably not an issue. I will get used Michelin Porsche Cup tires again, without hesitation.