Sticky Tires

[octironSmith]

So I bought a second set of OEM wheels and have decided that my track skills are finally at a level where I need to get some sticky track tires instead of running on the run flats (or so I would like to think ). Here are two questions:

(1) Ideally I would get some track oriented tires like ADVAN A048s but I really don't want to trailer the car to the track (I live about 40 miles away) and want to be able to drive to and from the track. What are the stickiest tires that I can get and still be able to drive to the track without wearing the tires excessively?

(2) With OEM wheels and stock suspension, what is the widest possible fitment that I can get front and rear without having to mess with the fenders? Should I be looking at minimizing profile or does that not matter that much? Any recommendation for fitment?

Thanks for the help guys!

[RaceTime]

Hmmm...I live about 60 miles away and drive down with 3 wheels and tires as passengers and one in the trunk with my jack and race goodies...

Are you looking for street tires, R's, or slicks?

I recommend Dunlop Z1 Star Specs...that is what I use and they are amazing.

As far as tires sizes, you are going to be limited by the width of the front wheels...I would suggest going with 225 front and 245 rear. You could go to 225 front and 255 rear, but a little narrower rear tire may help...if you car understeers...

[nordique14]

I think you are looking for something like R888 or NT-01 type of r-comp. The V710 and A6 are too soft to drive that far. I have had both the R888 and the NT-01 and I driven 60 miles to our autox on them. There was no major wear due to highway driving. Note that I have 0 toe up front. If you have toe-in or toe-out then I would expect some tire wear.

They say the R888 and the NT-01 have the same tread compound. That may be so but the tire style is completely different. The NT-01 is a square shouldered tire and the R888 is rounded. On our stock camber-challenged cars, the square shoulder is terrible. Autoxing will cup those tires fairly quickly. The round shoulder of the R888 works great with our lack of camber. If you have camber plates and are running at least -2.0* then the NT-01 would probably be fine. Otherwise spend the extra couple of bucks and get the R888.

You can get 225 up front easily. Depending on the tire used anything bigger may need a fender roll. Check the sticky at the top of the tire section to see what people have successfully fit on their cars.

[white911]

Went to our DC area tire supplier today and he recommended 17 inch and new RA1s for occasional track use and to and from the track. I have used both PSC2, Hoosier, BFG G-Force, RA1, and R888s and in times past before I began trailering the car I drove all of them (with the exception of the Hoos and G-Force) to tracks as far away as Watkins Glen and Mid Ohio. (on the 911) I was not impressed with the 888s and went back to RA1s for back-up to the G-Force. Sport Cups cycle out too fast and Hoosiers are only good for one event. I put Yokohama AD08s on the 135I for daily driver and occasional track use. Have 8 track days on the AD08s. I would definitely have them shaved. They don't squirm like full tread RA1s but they will chunk.

Labor day weekend, the 911 was down, so we took Sally's C2 with RA1s and the 135I for three days at VIR. The Star Spec is old school now. Pilot Sport (not cup) and AD08 are both quicker and good daily driver tires.

Sorry just noticed that the second set of wheels is OEM - RA1s not available -- the fall-back is the 888 for a good price point and decent performance.

[larryn]

235/255 18" Star Specs are your stickiest and widest non-rubbing, best bet for the stock wheels, if you want street tires... and something that's been proven to fit.

However, since you have an extra set of wheels, I would recommend getting TireTotes, and putting the 4 race rubber shod wheels in the back seat, and a jack in the trunk.... I have 4x245 V710's mounted and in tiretotes in my back seat right now. They just fit without squeezing anything, like they were meant to be back there.

[Dave Mac]

I'll 2nd what larryn posted.

[octironSmith]

Okay, so I like larryn's idea. If I go for the TireTote option, and have a second set of wheels that I can carry in the backseat/trunk to the track, what would be your recommendation for tires and fitment?

[Endre]

I use R888, and is happy with them. But i seriusly need much more than stock camber to wear them close evenly!

I also have tiretotes and have all 4 in the back seat. Remember to strap and secure them Well! If you crash, 4 heavy and loose weels can kill you...

[white911]

There is one problem with R888s with OEM wheels and that is the directional nature of the tread. This is only a problem in the rain and I have run them backwards in the dry; but, there is no question that on the track you will wear your outer front outside edge faster then any other tires. The correct solution for the faster wear rate is to flip the tire on the rim and then change sides. Normally not practical at the track. That is why you may end up running them backwards to preserve the life of the tire.

Also, the R888s do not last like the RA1s which are unfortunately not available in 18 inch. They have a sweet spot in their life cycle and cycle out while a Pilot Sport Cup or a Hoosier. The old RA1s were often discarded because they were corded. There is no danger of cording these tires since you will go through a period where they stick really well followed by a period where it will require a lot more work to get heat in the tires, followed by a time where they will be good for drifting competition -- and they will not be through to the cord by then.

AD08s no rub -- you may not be familiar with these tires as they are very new and replace the AD07. No problems with Dunlops, I have run them; but it is their turn to turn up the wick and replace them with a new gen tire.

[Endre]

I also rotate the tires to keep them longer. I also use them the wrong way in heavy rain without any issue. No difference either way is my experience.

Here it is in rain btw:

[Bdh821]

I'm running 235/255 18" Star Specs with no problems! They look AWESOME!!!

[aisthetes]

Originally Posted by Bdh821

I'm running 235/255 18" Star Specs with no problems! They look AWESOME!!!

I'm looking into running the same on the factory M wheels. Do you have any pics of the tire profiles mounted?

[jibaholic101]

pirelli pzero corsas

[Trier Germany]

Originally Posted by Endre

I also rotate the tires to keep them longer. I also use them the wrong way in heavy rain without any issue. No difference either way is my experience.

Here it is in rain btw:

Where did you take these pictures?

[Endre]

That is this spring at Rudskogen in Norway.

[kc_skyrider]

235/255 star-specs.. I have them on Bilstein coilovers and love the way they grip. but I spend more time at the strip than the track so I wish I would have gone a little wider in the rear. and just dealt with the understeer. Great tire

[BerkTechnology]

If you're on the stock wheels & suspension then you are limited to using the 235/255 setup.

I can't say enough good things about the Dunlops. They have FANTASTIC wear characteristics for a street tire with their level of grip.

[Spec Volcanic]

I'm running 245/35/18 Kumho XS all around on the factory wheel, not my my normal track tire...
But I was very happy with them at the Track more in the Dry and the Wet.

Oh and there is no rubbing at the Track or on the street

[DBFIU]

How do the star specs ride?

Are they noisy?

[aisthetes]

Originally Posted by DBFIU

How do the star specs ride?

Are they noisy?

I've found them to ride better than the factory runflats, which had no give. They've gotten a bit noisy with wear (2 autocrosses and 1 track day plus commuting), though, but nothing atypical for a performance tire.

[Evolution Racewerks]

Yokohama Advan Neova AD08s!

[Novator]

Continental Extreme Contact DWs in 225/40/18 and 255/35/18 front and rear respectively and on OEM 5 spoke start wheels. No problems, very light, very grippy. Braking is phenomenal with these tires and wet performance is almost like driving during the day.