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[Fen335i]

I'm thinking about purchasing the Nitto NT01 for track use this summer. It's DOT Legal, but is it safe enough of a tire to drive on the street to the track? I've got about a 400 mile drive to the track (mostly highway: 60-70mph)? I know they aren't good in rain, but if it's a dry drive...do you think this would work?

[consolidated]

Originally Posted by Fen335i

I'm thinking about purchasing the Nitto NT01 for track use this summer. It's DOT Legal, but is it safe enough of a tire to drive on the street to the track? I've got about a 400 mile drive to the track (mostly highway: 60-70mph)? I know they aren't good in rain, but if it's a dry drive...do you think this would work?

I drove around town and to DEs with NT-01s for a solid year, they actually work fine in the wet, just not standing water. You'll get some wear but unless you have an aggressive alignment you'd be surprised at how they rack up miles just cruising around.

[Fen335i]

Thanks Consolodated...good to hear they worked ok on the street. How did they stack up on the track? I hear they wear pretty well and are a big step up from "extreme summer perf tires" (aka PS2's)

[FruitCake]

yep, ive done it before.
200+ miles all the way to buttonwillow and back.

[consolidated]

Originally Posted by Fen335i

Thanks Consolodated...good to hear they worked ok on the street. How did they stack up on the track? I hear they wear pretty well and are a big step up from "extreme summer perf tires" (aka PS2's)

They're awesome. I race a Spec Boxster on R888 and prefer the Nittos, dollar for dollar they are hard to beat. They stick with just two sipes showing, but don't overcook'm. No need to shave either. They're also good to go from pit out. Downside, very noisy after scrubbed.

[Fen335i]

Thanks Consolodated....sounds like I should be able to drive them to the track without any issues.

sounds like a great tire...solid on the track, but safe enough for light street use

[ff1600]

One concern I would have is heat cycles. R Comps do not take kindly to being heated up and cooled, the rubber compound changes chemically and gets "harder", loosing grip.

The GY 160s I use on my race car are done after three heat cycles.

[Eddy@ApexWheels]

I've put over a 1000 street miles on NT-01's all highway, hard driving would heat cycle them. They ride nicer then street tires actually. I don't do it if it rains. Be aware that they pick things up, and can easily be cut/damaged by road debris.

NT-01's are good for 25-30 heat cycles.

[Fen335i]

Thanks Paintpro...how do you like them on the track? A lot stickier than street tires (PS2's)? Hold up better?

[Eddy@ApexWheels]

They hold up much, much better then tires like the PS2. The PS2 is a tire I specifically talk about often as a comparison since so many people will take a BMW or Porsche to the track running them, and they just destroy the outer edge of the tread. It rolls over right onto the sidewall.

Camber plates would help this, but you'll still end up wearing out the outer edge since they roll over easily.

If you run NT-01's on another set of wheels, then you'll honestly save money relatively quickly if you go often (at least 8 events a year). an r-compound set that you can rotate will significantly out last street tires (when you account for the fact that street tires can be significantly more expensive and people replace street tires that are too beat for regular use due to the unusual wear characteristics cause by track use).

[Fen335i]

Thanks for the info Paintpro...

I see some guys are running NT-05's instead of the 01's...aren't the NT-05's more of a "drag tire" (1/4 mile)? Wondering why guys are running those instead of the NT-01's that I think are more oriented for a road circuit.

[ff1600]

Originally Posted by paintpro21

NT-01's are good for 25-30 heat cycles.

Good info. Thanks.

On the assumption that a track day is 4 sessions, the tires should be usable for 7-8 track days unless you run out of rubber. Advantage to square setup.

[Eddy@ApexWheels]

Originally Posted by Fen335i

Thanks for the info Paintpro...

I see some guys are running NT-05's instead of the 01's...aren't the NT-05's more of a "drag tire" (1/4 mile)? Wondering why guys are running those instead of the NT-01's that I think are more oriented for a road circuit.

You're thinking about the NT-05R (drag tire)

There is a regular NT-05 that is a street tire. It's an extreme summer performance tire

NT-05R


NT-05 street

[Fen335i]

got, it...my mistake. I was thinking of the NT-05R

[RENN Spec]

These tires also absorb oil like a sponge so watch out for oil spills.

[M3 Esq]

Bumping an old thread. Who is driving on these to and from the track? Do they throw debris at your car and ruin the paint? Thanks!

[Triple M]

Originally Posted by M3 Esq

Bumping an old thread. Who is driving on these to and from the track? Do they throw debris at your car and ruin the paint? Thanks!

Drove on my NT01 from Vegas twice (600 mile/trip) Fontana in beginning of June, and Big Willow end of June for redline time attack and they held up well. Still with a few heat cycle left in them.

[s4one]

Originally Posted by Triple M

Drove on my NT01 from Vegas twice (600 mile/trip) Fontana in beginning of June, and Big Willow end of June for redline time attack and they held up well. Still with a few heat cycle left in them.

That is intense.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by M3 Esq

Bumping an old thread. Who is driving on these to and from the track? Do they throw debris at your car and ruin the paint? Thanks!

They will pickup stones and stuff. But the hum that NT01s make...its intoxicating!

[B0feity]

This thread helped me, just fyi.

[1MOREMOD]

Nt01s don't really heat cycle out so that's not a concern. They are fastest right before they cord even if that is 40+ heat cycles.

[B0feity]

For the better priced 100 tread tires I will try the nt01 and do same as OP as it's easier for me to drive with my wheels mounted at home to and from the track.