225/45-17 would be the best fit on 17x8. Or 235/45-17, but they're a bit taller than stock (25.1" vs. 24.7").

235/40-17 and 245/40 want to be on 8.5" or preferably 9" wheel. But would work on 8", just be slightly pooched.

FWIW I think any newb is going to be better off and learn more, faster at the track on track-appropriate tires vs. non track-oriented squirmy tires.
Agree 100% with the RS-4 suggestion, they behave very well at the track, fun to drive, consistent and no surprises.

Again to ilterate the above said. any 200tw would be fine.

ive even had guys track on Indy Firehawks and BFG Sport comp 2 tires


Personally Ive driven on
Dunlop DZ101
Dunlop Star spec ( gen 1 o.O)
Bridgestone Potenza RE11
Yokohama S. Drive
Kumho V720
Hankook Ventus V12
and Federal RS-RR


and all of them are okay. to varying degrees one migh tbe better than the other. in terms of raw grip and feel the go to pixie dust is the RE71R (im not sold on the advan A052)

I would pick up whatever is cheap and good, and run it into the ground and repeat.

the GX2 champs and falken FT series are also solid choices.

I would also run a 225 on an 8 inch wide. you could run wider but for me feel of the contact patch and turn in matter more than raw grip. levels we would likely not even exceed at a casual or normie track day level

I'd go SX2, as it's a great learning tire. Add to that, being in socal, you can participate in 86Cup, which has a tire contingency for the SX2... seems like a win win.

Oh - let's also throw in the fact that, on a stock sized wheel, you can run the 215s or 225s for less than $400 delivered...

R compounds and sticky tires are only going to hide mistakes, and as you go faster, those mistakes will compound. At a certain point when those mistakes result in losing control of the car, it will be at higher speeds and harder to recover - meaning end result has a much worse potential.

That being said, if you're looking for validation on going to sticky tires, NT01s seem to last a long time and don't mind slip angle. If you want stickier, can go Toyo RR. Keep in mind these are also going to be harder on the car too, so you're going to get increased wear and tear on other parts of the car from it.

Have fun and keep driving!

Why not just get a single stock wheel with the same tires as you already have?
Put it in the same spot as the donut which shouldnt take much room. You have a spare, you save money, and as a bonus, less grippy tires are great to learn on