"Learning" tires for track - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Tainen · 08-12-2014, 02:25 PM

Hi Forum!

So I just finished out my 2nd HPDE with my local BMW group, and had a blast- ended up being one of the fastest in the D group, passing many M3s, a GT-R, and a Z06. Had insane amounts of fun!

As per my last few instructor's recommendations, I am continuing to use the stock tires, because they allow me to learn at a much faster pace than some of the aggressive track tires, due to lower limits allowing me to get to the max grip of the tire fairly safely and easily, since they are so progressive. Mistakes are easy to feel and correct as well.

I really wanted to go pick up some ZII Star Specs, and had plans to do so after I burned through my stock rubber- but, now both, of my instructors told me to go buy more of these stock tires, or something just slightly better, and just get more seat time with lower spec tires, as it will aid my development far, far more than sticky tires. Well, I've got a new set of wheels that have been in the garage waiting for this next set of tires for a while now, and I need your help! What is a good tire that will continue to help me learn on the track, while still offering a really progressive loss of traction? I was thinking maybe the lower spec version of the DZII, the DZ102? Or is that still a little too high of a traction upgrade from stock to continue my learning?

Intermediate tire recommendations please team! Thank you so much for your advice and input in advance

EAGLE5 · 08-12-2014, 03:28 PM

Pick up a set of used stock tires. Lots of people have sold theirs before. I took off my Pilot Super Sports and put on the Primacy tires for the track.

wparsons · 08-12-2014, 03:57 PM

The original ZII's are discontinued, and the StarSpec version isn't released in North America yet.

I don't have any good suggestions beyond more stock tires for something really forgiving to learn on.

tahdizzle · 08-12-2014, 04:21 PM

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

Scenic Driver · 08-12-2014, 04:47 PM

Pilot Sport AS/3 is a good next step after the Primacys

DAEMANO · 08-12-2014, 04:50 PM

I picked up a set of the new for 2014 Direzza DZ102s (not to be confused with the older 101s). Good grip, good audible communication, gentle breakaway, and terrific price. Highly recommended for your needs.

DarkSunrise · 08-12-2014, 05:17 PM

Sumitomo HTR ZIII would be my choice. Easy progressive breakaway (better than stock), will audibly squeal when you're approaching their limit, and very cheap.

They can also take a little heat (won't get greasy until mid-sessions with lighter cars) and just minor chunking on the edges, which you can alleviate with camber and tire pressure.

codesplice · 08-12-2014, 05:36 PM

I'm popping in here as this question is also relevant to my interests.

I've been having a blast autocrossing on the stock tires and learning a lot about how to handle this car. I'm planning on upgrading tires after this season (if my tires don't wear out before that), but not quite sure I'm ready for super-awesome-performance tires that might (a) cover up some of my mistakes, preventing me from learning, or (b) let loose more aggressively than a novice driver like me might be able to correct.

So thanks all for the suggestions - keep them coming!

DaDr00 · 08-12-2014, 05:45 PM

BFG Rivals are cheap in a 225 ... $30 cheaper than our stock tires!

Also RE11A or ZII are a good choice. They still talk to you while making you feel like a hero.

Here's a good article to read:
http://www.onehotlap.com/2014/04/mor...eet-legal.html

Tainen · 08-12-2014, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

I picked up a set of the new for 2014 Direzza DZ102s (not to be confused with the older 101s). Good grip, good audible communication, gentle breakaway, and terrific price. Highly recommended for your needs.

Definitely is the thought I had going into this thread. Will look at the other suggestions as well, but I love how cheap this tire is, and how it appears to be somewhat of a halfway point between the stock tire and the DZII SS kind of tires.

Tainen · 08-12-2014, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

Sumitomo HTR ZIII would be my choice. Easy progressive breakaway (better than stock), will audibly squeal when you're approaching their limit, and very cheap.

They can also take a little heat (won't get greasy until mid-sessions with lighter cars) and just minor chunking on the edges, which you can alleviate with camber and tire pressure.

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.

DAEMANO · 08-12-2014, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tainen

Definitely is the thought I had going into this thread. Will look at the other suggestions as well, but I love how cheap this tire is, and how it appears to be somewhat of a halfway point between the stock tire and the DZII SS kind of tires.

I also really liked that the DZ102s have a symmetrical tread, so they can be rotated 4 corners. More and more tires these days are not. It looks like they improved the grip by redesigning the outer tread blocks to be bigger (and of course a new compound). So far, so great.

CounterSpace Garage · 08-12-2014, 07:39 PM

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.

CSG Mike · 08-12-2014, 07:42 PM

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

08-12-2014, 02:25 PM	#1
Tainen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: First SWP BRZ-L Location: Washington Posts: 809 Thanks: 154 Thanked 350 Times in 174 Posts Mentioned: 11 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	"Learning" tires for track Hi Forum! So I just finished out my 2nd HPDE with my local BMW group, and had a blast- ended up being one of the fastest in the D group, passing many M3s, a GT-R, and a Z06. Had insane amounts of fun! As per my last few instructor's recommendations, I am continuing to use the stock tires, because they allow me to learn at a much faster pace than some of the aggressive track tires, due to lower limits allowing me to get to the max grip of the tire fairly safely and easily, since they are so progressive. Mistakes are easy to feel and correct as well. I really wanted to go pick up some ZII Star Specs, and had plans to do so after I burned through my stock rubber- but, now both, of my instructors told me to go buy more of these stock tires, or something just slightly better, and just get more seat time with lower spec tires, as it will aid my development far, far more than sticky tires. Well, I've got a new set of wheels that have been in the garage waiting for this next set of tires for a while now, and I need your help! What is a good tire that will continue to help me learn on the track, while still offering a really progressive loss of traction? I was thinking maybe the lower spec version of the DZII, the DZ102? Or is that still a little too high of a traction upgrade from stock to continue my learning? Intermediate tire recommendations please team! Thank you so much for your advice and input in advance __________________ First white BRZ in the country Limited SWP BRZ, 35% tint, clear bra, Nameless Performance downpipe, axelback, headers

08-12-2014, 04:47 PM	#5
Scenic Driver Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Drives: 13 Subaru BRZ, 02 Audi TTQ Location: Orange County, NY Posts: 456 Thanks: 61 Thanked 320 Times in 168 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Pilot Sport AS/3 is a good next step after the Primacys __________________

08-12-2014, 05:17 PM	#7
DarkSunrise Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: 22 BRZ (Previously 13 FR-S) Location: USA Posts: 5,794 Thanks: 2,164 Thanked 4,242 Times in 2,220 Posts Mentioned: 48 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	Sumitomo HTR ZIII would be my choice. Easy progressive breakaway (better than stock), will audibly squeal when you're approaching their limit, and very cheap. They can also take a little heat (won't get greasy until mid-sessions with lighter cars) and just minor chunking on the edges, which you can alleviate with camber and tire pressure. __________________ "Never run out of real estate, traction, and ideas at the same time." 2022 BRZ Build 2013 FR-S Build

08-12-2014, 05:36 PM	#8
codesplice Elite Recognized Geek Join Date: Mar 2014 Drives: 2014 DGM BRZ Limited Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 183 Thanks: 192 Thanked 67 Times in 48 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I'm popping in here as this question is also relevant to my interests. I've been having a blast autocrossing on the stock tires and learning a lot about how to handle this car. I'm planning on upgrading tires after this season (if my tires don't wear out before that), but not quite sure I'm ready for super-awesome-performance tires that might (a) cover up some of my mistakes, preventing me from learning, or (b) let loose more aggressively than a novice driver like me might be able to correct. So thanks all for the suggestions - keep them coming! __________________ This post is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the poster's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. G+

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08-12-2014, 07:39 PM	#13
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