Got a track related question? I'll try to answer.

[car_roll]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Stock...

Are all tires above that treadwear really that bad? Trying to base my car off GTA enthusiast class specs...

[juliog]

Achilles 123 are UTQG 220 I think. Pilot Super Sports are UTQG 300, and cheaper than Primacys.

[ddeflyer]

Originally Posted by car_roll

Are all tires above that treadwear really that bad? Trying to base my car off GTA enthusiast class specs...

I never drove my Primacies on track, but from what I've heard they are actually pretty good once you get them warm.

I would avoid the Michelin PSS if you are looking to use them on track; the center wet compound greases out pretty quickly so you need to be careful about how use use them. That said, they are a fantastic tire if you aren't looking to heat them up too much.

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by ddeflyer

I never drove my Primacies on track, but from what I've heard they are actually pretty good once you get them warm.

I would avoid the Michelin PSS if you are looking to use them on track; the center wet compound greases out pretty quickly so you need to be careful about how use use them. That said, they are a fantastic tire if you aren't looking to heat them up too much.

You can only warm them up slightly, but their heat range is very small. Like the PSS, they will grease out and chunk. Maintaining temperature is key to success.

[AZP Installs]

The stock tires are terrible on track IMO.

The PSS are a great combo tire between street and track but like David said, you need to maintain control and not overheat them by scrubbing speed with the tires.

I ran PSS on my 2011 STi for a season of track and 2 years on the street. IMO they were more than adequate and I run in the Instructor/Advanced groups at HPDE. They also have great longevity as I put about 20K miles including a season of HPDE on them and no real signs of wear other than the usual evidence of tracking them.

If you are overheating your tires on track you should consider running smoother as that will make you faster and wear your tires less

-mike

[ddeflyer]

Originally Posted by AZP Installs

The stock tires are terrible on track IMO.

The PSS are a great combo tire between street and track but like David said, you need to maintain control and not overheat them by scrubbing speed with the tires.

I ran PSS on my 2011 STi for a season of track and 2 years on the street. IMO they were more than adequate and I run in the Instructor/Advanced groups at HPDE. They also have great longevity as I put about 20K miles including a season of HPDE on them and no real signs of wear other than the usual evidence of tracking them.

If you are overheating your tires on track you should consider running smoother as that will make you faster and wear your tires less

-mike

In 100+ weather the PSS's center section will grease out very quickly even if you are very smooth. You can mitigate it some by running the tires under inflated (I think I was doing about 35 or 36PSI where as pyrometer was suggesting 38 or so) so you are cornering on the shoulders. This still can cause issues though towards the end of the session if you didn't take as much out as was really needed. Overall, I think it is better to focus on other tasks than trying to deal with variably greased tires. It took me a long time and some experiences with other tires before I figured out the quirky behavior of the PSS tires.

As I said, I have no actual experience with the Primacies so I totally believe you about them.

[Pat]

Originally Posted by ddeflyer

I never drove my Primacies on track, but from what I've heard they are actually pretty good once you get them warm.

I would avoid the Michelin PSS if you are looking to use them on track; the center wet compound greases out pretty quickly so you need to be careful about how use use them. That said, they are a fantastic tire if you aren't looking to heat them up too much.

Let's ensure everyone understand these descriptions are relative. PSS is a MUCH faster tire on track than the OEM tire. Not even in the same ballpark.

[car_roll]

Originally Posted by juliog

Achilles 123 are UTQG 220 I think. Pilot Super Sports are UTQG 300, and cheaper than Primacys.

achilles 123 is actually banned from the class i intend to compete in

edit: hmmm just double checked the regulations and i guess they "unbanned" them...

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by AZP Installs

If you are overheating your tires on track you should consider running smoother as that will make you faster and wear your tires less

-mike

But that means I gotta go slower D:

[AZP Installs]

Originally Posted by ddeflyer

In 100+ weather the PSS's center section will grease out very quickly even if you are very smooth. You can mitigate it some by running the tires under inflated (I think I was doing about 35 or 36PSI where as pyrometer was suggesting 38 or so) so you are cornering on the shoulders. This still can cause issues though towards the end of the session if you didn't take as much out as was really needed. Overall, I think it is better to focus on other tasks than trying to deal with variably greased tires. It took me a long time and some experiences with other tires before I figured out the quirky behavior of the PSS tires.

As I said, I have no actual experience with the Primacies so I totally believe you about them.

I can't speak for 100+ ambients as we only see 90s at most here in the Northeast.

Also any of these summer tires here we are talking about would be for a relative novice looking for a tire that can be used for both street/daily driving as well as the occasional track day. Any of us who are up in the higher classes would likely be looking at dedicated or near dedicated track tires in the R888 class of tire IMO.

-mike

[AZP Installs]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

But that means I gotta go slower D:

Haaaa. Smooth FEELS slower but actually isn't slower. But you know that already Mikey!

-mike

[Khyron686]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

But that means I gotta go slower D:

Asking since you're the resident RE11A fan (and I'm pretty set on those tires):

RE11A, 17x8 ET48 OZ wheel, stock dampers with RCA yellows and camber whiteline bolts (-1.8 on front alignment).

Mostly DD with some parking lot autocross 3-5 times/year. 245/40 vs 225/45 - both will fit the wheel. Subjectively I like the fat look of the 245 but am worried I'd need a 5-10mm spacer to clear the stock strut and the steering feel will be meh/flexy since I'm at the smaller rim size limit.

I do have the FT electric SC which breaks the stock tires loose just by gunning it, but not a full turbo/SC setup.

I've been stuck on this for awhile - it's only 2cm. :P

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Khyron686

Asking since you're the resident RE11A fan (and I'm pretty set on those tires):

RE11A, 17x8 ET48 OZ wheel, stock dampers with RCA yellows and camber whiteline bolts (-1.8 on front alignment).

Mostly DD with some parking lot autocross 3-5 times/year. 245/40 vs 225/45 - both will fit the wheel. Subjectively I like the fat look of the 245 but am worried I'd need a 5-10mm spacer to clear the stock strut and the steering feel will be meh/flexy since I'm at the smaller rim size limit.

I do have the FT electric SC which breaks the stock tires loose just by gunning it, but not a full turbo/SC setup.

I've been stuck on this for awhile - it's only 2cm. :P

AutoX? Go with the wider tire. You may need a spacer, but is that legal for your AutoX setup? If you get spacers, get ARP extended studs and open ended lugnuts.

I believe the RE71R supercedes the RE11A, but I have not yet tried them.

[Deep Six]

Someone help me understand how PSS's work so well on GTR's. I have two friends that use them on their highly modified street legal cars for dual duty. They came in first and second at the NARRA time trials at Sebring in the TTU class with 2:16 laps. Two months later one of them is running 1:14's at Roebling on the same set!