2016 Track(able) Tire Options

[dbyrd]

For DEs, I still think the Nitto's are a great balance between grip vs. durability, but I'd like to try at least a few softer options. I was running with a guy who races his e46, and he was running Toyo Proxes RRs. He said they lasted over 20 heat cycles and had more grip than the NT-01s.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by dbyrd

For DEs, I still think the Nitto's are a great balance between grip vs. durability, but I'd like to try at least a few softer options. I was running with a guy who races his e46, and he was running Toyo Proxes RRs. He said they lasted over 20 heat cycles and had more grip than the NT-01s.

Another 275/35R18 option, nice. They are priced well also at ~$1150 shipped for a set.

How many heat cycles do most folks get from NT01's?

[dbyrd]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Another 275/35R18 option, nice. They are priced well also at ~$1150 shipped for a set.

How many heat cycles do most folks get from NT01's?

The good thing about the NT-01s is that they don't heat cycle out - they're good until they cord. Depending on the track, I usually get 6-8 days out of them with 4 sessions/heat cycles per day. TWS is probably the hardest track on tires in Texas.

Let us know how you like the NT-05s.

[aus]

I'm having a hard time finding the NT05-140 locally. That site is semi local to me. Might just need to make a trip up there.

[rzm3]

What I've tried over the years...

Hoosier A/R6... one magic lap (lap #2 or #3), and then it's all downhill from there
Pilot Sport Cup... excellent grip, minimal tread life
Bridgestone RE11... good grip, terrible tread pattern which will get destroyed w/o decent camber
Yokohama Advan AD08... good grip, great tread life, terrible in wet (WILL hydroplane)
Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec... good grip, great tread life, awesome in wet (my go-to track day tire now)

[rzm3]

Test data from Tire Rack

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by aus

I'm having a hard time finding the NT05-140 locally. That site is semi local to me. Might just need to make a trip up there.

I think they ended up having to order the 275's for me so you may want to call and set things up before you make the trip.

[///Mobbin]

Pricing isn't bad on the ZII, I just wish they had a better staggered fitment option. Has anyone compared these to NT01's by chance?

[redpriest]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Pricing isn't bad on the ZII, I just wish they had a better staggered fitment option. Has anyone compared these to NT01's by chance?

Andrie Hartanto kinda did, indirectly - he compares the ZII (the tire of his choice) to RE-71R, then RE-71R to NT01:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1202457

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by redpriest

Andrie Hartanto kinda did, indirectly - he compares the ZII (the tire of his choice) to RE-71R, then RE-71R to NT01:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1202457

Oh wait. It actually sort of applies here.

[rzm3]

Originally Posted by redpriest

Andrie Hartanto kinda did, indirectly - he compares the ZII (the tire of his choice) to RE-71R, then RE-71R to NT01:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1202457

RE-71R is an interesting tire. Actually slightly cheaper in 275/35/18 than DII Star Spec.

But, I am having a hard time believing a 3.5 second delta vs DII SS. Going from Extreme Performance Summer to Hoosiers don't even get you that kind of number... I can't help but also notice the variability in the lap times. Traffic?

[rzm3]

Found these data points from Tire Rack:

Test 1 lap time:
BFGoodrich g-Force Rival - 29.91
Hankook Ventus R-S3 Version 2 -29.98
Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec - 29.79

Test 2 lap time:
BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S - 29.65
Hankook Ventus R-S3 Version 2 - 29.70
Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R - 29.16

Based on test 1, ZII SS is about 0.1-0.2 sec faster than g-Force and R-S3.

Translating this delta to test 2, ZII SS should be running about 29.5, which is about, say, 0.3-0.4 behind RE-71R. Finally, multiply by 4 to get to a 2-min track, the expected delta is about 1.2-1.6 seconds, which is still impressive but far from a 3.5...

[redpriest]

Originally Posted by rzm3

RE-71R is an interesting tire. Actually slightly cheaper in 275/35/18 than DII Star Spec.

But, I am having a hard time believing a 3.5 second delta vs DII SS. Going from Extreme Performance Summer to Hoosiers don't even get you that kind of number... I can't help but also notice the variability in the lap times. Traffic?

It's definitely in traffic, Andrie is doing these tests in the middle of regular HPDEs. He's a really good driver (I can attest to having been blown by a few times by him in his E46) with quite a few race wins:

http://www.speedsf.com/speed-sf-inst...drie-hartanto/

Pretty approachable too. He's not running stock suspension, but his mods on his car are basically MCS 2-way with custom valving of his own design + exhaust, and that's it.

The only question is wear - you have to manage these like a hawk to get maximum life out of them.

[lutfy]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Another observation, only the 140 treadwear tires included this caution label:

Hey Ryan,

Your PM is full hence couldn't reply Those tires are the ticket re: sizing. (My) Car needs wider tire at the back for sure. Will wait to get feedback from you!

Cheers,

Lutfy

[aus]

Has anyone actually used the 295/35 in back? I'm a little concerned about rubbing with my Apex wheels

[apecush]

I used the 295/35 on a ec-7 10.5" width, lowered on dinan springs. No rubbing issues whatsoever. 275 nt-01 had considerably more dry grip, which should be obvious. At full tread, the NT-05s are great in the wet. Worn, they are scary.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by apecush

I used the 295/35 on a ec-7 10.5" width, lowered on dinan springs. No rubbing issues whatsoever. 275 nt-01 had considerably more dry grip, which should be obvious. At full tread, the NT-05s are great in the wet. Worn, they are scary.

I also have Apex ec-7 10.5" width rear wheels, et27 offset. Stock ZCP suspension for now. I'm curious, did you try the 140 or 200 treadwear NT-05's?

[redpriest]

How bad are NT01s in the wet? Mine are 2 track days old, and it's likely going to be raining at Sonoma this weekend. Given the existence of several scary walls, it's either this or my street Pilot Super Sports.

[///Mobbin]

Originally Posted by redpriest

How bad are NT01s in the wet? Mine are 2 track days old, and it's likely going to be raining at Sonoma this weekend. Given the existence of several scary walls, it's either this or my street Pilot Super Sports.

Bigjae's examples of NT-01's in the wet and in the rain:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...2&postcount=56

You might buy some wheel and tire covers and bring both sets with you just in case.

[redpriest]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

Bigjae's examples of NT-01's in the wet and in the rain:
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showpos...2&postcount=56

You might buy some wheel and tire covers and bring both sets with you just in case.

Already done Thanks for the link. I usually drive down on my PSS and swap to my track wheels once at the track. I'll assess the situation when I'm there and see which tires to use, depending on the standing water, I guess.

[White 13]

It might be interesting to try them both in the same conditions.

[apecush]

Originally Posted by ///Mobbin

I also have Apex ec-7 10.5" width rear wheels, et27 offset. Stock ZCP suspension for now. I'm curious, did you try the 140 or 200 treadwear NT-05's?

The 200 tread wear tires.