"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 :)

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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! :D

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

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

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.

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 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.

http://www.focusst.org/forum/attachm...2-link-top.jpg

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.

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