"Learning" tires for track

[vroom4]

Originally Posted by CounterSpace Garage

Continental DW last forever. Lateral grip is not very good, but straight line grip is quite well. It holds power really well for some reason. If you can drive fast with that tire, you'll drive fast with grippier tires. Learning how to transfer weight is very important.

Since when? The last set I had on a non-86 only lasted 11000 gentle DD miles.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by tahdizzle

ZII SS are released. On tirerack now... Funny thing is, you can only buy one.....

When I looked before they didn't have anything in stock, looks like they do now though.

[tahdizzle]

Originally Posted by wparsons

When I looked before they didn't have anything in stock, looks like they do now though.

Eh, I'd use "in stock" lightly. Might as well not be available. Can't figure out how to buy more than just 1. lol

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by vroom4

Since when? The last set I had on a non-86 only lasted 11000 gentle DD miles.

These tires are still not dead...

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FkCXleL8MI&list=UUssD66G2tXsV-u24rhQUdkg"]Subaru BRZ Drift at Streets of Willow Springs - YouTube[/ame]

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Tainen

Amazing price on those things. 89 a pop!


They are one category rating higher than the DZ102s, so I'm guessing they are more capable than them? I'd prefer the lower capable tires if possible, but whichever breaks away softer and easier is probably the better choice.

I definitely wouldn't worry about these having too much grip compared to the latest gen DZ102's, DW's, or RE11's.

Given the parameters of what you're looking for (cheap, low grip, progressive, communicative, track-capable), I honestly don't think you can go wrong with any of the tire choices mentioned so far. The Sumitomo's just happen to be the cheapest of the bunch.

BTW to give you a sense of how much these tires squeal, I've had spectators joke with me at the track that they knew I was coming around the bend because they could hear these tires squealing for life from 1-2 corners away. This can be a really useful trait for a track tire, as it gives you audible confirmation when the tires are about to let go.

[jebuwh]

Hankook v12 evos are cheap and decent!

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by vroom4

Since when? The last set I had on a non-86 only lasted 11000 gentle DD miles.

How was your alignment?
@ImperiousRex can comment on their longevity as well...

[ImperiousRex]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

How was your alignment?
@ImperiousRex can comment on their longevity as well...

Mine have lasted roughly 15000 miles with two track days and multiple 1hr+ aggressive canyon runs and they're still good to go for a few thousand more miles on the street. My camber settings are more track oriented (-3.6F, -2.7R) so for street driving, the tires having been wearing on the inner edge quite a bit more but there's still 2-3/32 left (outer edges have almost 5-6/32 left).

With milder camber settings and no track days, my guess is the tires would last 25-30k miles.

[Tainen]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

I definitely wouldn't worry about these having too much grip compared to the latest gen DZ102's, DW's, or RE11's.

Given the parameters of what you're looking for (cheap, low grip, progressive, communicative, track-capable), I honestly don't think you can go wrong with any of the tire choices mentioned so far. The Sumitomo's just happen to be the cheapest of the bunch.

BTW to give you a sense of how much these tires squeal, I've had spectators joke with me at the track that they knew I was coming around the bend because they could hear these tires squealing for life from 1-2 corners away. This can be a really useful trait for a track tire, as it gives you audible confirmation when the tires are about to let go.

Hmm, what about the Sumitomo HTR Z IIs? Look even cheaper at 73 a pop (for 225/45/17).

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Tainen

Hmm, what about the Sumitomo HTR Z IIs? Look even cheaper at 73 a pop (for 225/45/17).

Sorry don't have any personal experience with those. I've heard bad things about them FWIW.

[raul]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

RE11A is my vote for a sticky tire that communicates well.

I got a lot faster driving this tire. It inspires so much confidence.

[EAGLE5]

Toe kills tires. My stock tires were murdered by toe in 11,000 miles.

[Tainen]

Update:


Just had the Sumitomo HTR ZIIIs mounted up earlier this week. A few notes:


1) This is quite a good tire for being the absolute cheapest of all the ones we discussed.
2) In 225 size, it's contact patch is huge. About as large as many other tire's 245 size contact patches when compared on tirerack. Makes them look real meaty on my wheels. I regret that a little bit, since my goal was lower traction, not higher.
3) Traction is fickle, it picks up a TON after I scrub them. Do a little burnout and they stick real well, but otherwise they break loose real easy. I'm hoping to get them fully scrubbed here in the next few days and will expect a more consistent experience out of them.