Best Slicks / Race Tires for the Money

[dp1]

I had already posted...quick update...after a few track days and one AX event at Lime Rock Park (short 40 sec lap track with fun turns/camber and elevation changes), I decided to keep buying Toyo Proxes RA1 in 235/40-17 on 17x8 RPF1 rims. Also have JR SC, AP Racing Sprint BBK, Carbotech XP12/AX6 (track/AX), Ohlins R&T, camber -3f/-2.5r. Got the RA1 shaved and heat cycled but next time will get them with full thread. I like to keep close to the limits of traction but on the conservative side...it's rare to see me throw the car around into power slides (they are fun!). RA1 wear like iron and are very predictable with smooth gas pedal and hands. Slicks will always be quicker when up to temp but I am only doing HPDE and some AX and I'm amazed at how well RA1 are holding up so far. It was fun watching three instructors drive my car at the LRP AX course and hearing them comment on the setup. Wouldn't use them in the rain below about 6/32 thread but they handle rain very well at 9/32 thread new.

I may get Hankook R-S3 for summer street and to try them on track/AX but will stay away from slicks for now (never tried them) since RA1 work well for me.

[phastafrican]

Originally Posted by Deep Six

I was on track day #7 with this set and ran a personal best (1:22:56) at Roebling Road despite it being the middle of August.

To put this into perspective, below are the results from the event that Jon Miller set the track record for TTD back in April or May of 2013. I think he was running A6's in 225/45. My time on 710's would have been second fastest TTD that weekend just in front of Jon Kozlow.

Impressive time... except if your signature is accurate, you're well into TTC by NASA classification without taking weight into account ... still 2nd place though .
The C51/71 is rated at the same performance/points hit at Hoosier R6 so definitely a good alternative. The C90/91 are comparable to A6s.

[phastafrican]

Originally Posted by dp1

I had already posted...quick update...after a few track days and one AX event at Lime Rock Park (short 40 sec lap track with fun turns/camber and elevation changes), I decided to keep buying Toyo Proxes RA1 in 235/40-17 on 17x8 RPF1 rims. Also have JR SC, AP Racing Sprint BBK, Carbotech XP12/AX6 (track/AX), Ohlins R&T, camber -3f/-2.5r. Got the RA1 shaved and heat cycled but next time will get them with full thread. I like to keep close to the limits of traction but on the conservative side...it's rare to see me throw the car around into power slides (they are fun!). RA1 wear like iron and are very predictable with smooth gas pedal and hands. Slicks will always be quicker when up to temp but I am only doing HPDE and some AX and I'm amazed at how well RA1 are holding up so far. It was fun watching three instructors drive my car at the LRP AX course and hearing them comment on the setup. Wouldn't use them in the rain below about 6/32 thread but they handle rain very well at 9/32 thread new.

I may get Hankook R-S3 for summer street and to try them on track/AX but will stay away from slicks for now (never tried them) since RA1 work well for me.

RA-1s are a good choice. And if you find they're not lasting long enough, try Maxxis RC-1

[philooo]

@phastafrican so you don't experience any ABS problem with the hoosiers ? Are you doing the pedal dance ?

i think I'll get myself a set of BFG R1 and I heard some having ABS problem as well, I hope it is a driving style thing, if not that would be a pain.

[phastafrican]

Originally Posted by philooo

@phastafrican so you don't experience any ABS problem with the hoosiers ? Are you doing the pedal dance ?

i think I'll get myself a set of BFG R1 and I heard some having ABS problem as well, I hope it is a driving style thing, if not that would be a pain.

I don't run abs. Steering angle sensor disabled, abs fuse pulled. No need for pedal dance, it's a dedicated race car.

[philooo]

I have been trying to find a picture of the fuse box and steering angle sensor. ir you have a chance to post them that would be great, I don't think anybody posted these pics on the forum yet..

My car is back together and I will be trying it early september, I don't want to have my day spoiled by some nanny

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by philooo

I have been trying to find a picture of the fuse box and steering angle sensor. ir you have a chance to post them that would be great, I don't think anybody posted these pics on the forum yet..

My car is back together and I will be trying it early september, I don't want to have my day spoiled by some nanny

why not just pedal dance to avoid nannies? having ABS active shouldn't be an issue IMO simply because, if you engage the ABS you probably need to change your braking style and try to practice threshold braking also if you stab the brakes you want your ABS on to avoid locking them

[phastafrican]

Originally Posted by philooo

I have been trying to find a picture of the fuse box and steering angle sensor. ir you have a chance to post them that would be great, I don't think anybody posted these pics on the forum yet..

My car is back together and I will be trying it early september, I don't want to have my day spoiled by some nanny

Pedal dance removes all the nannies you need to worry about. I'd have to take my steering cover apart, but it's the green plug connected to the steering angle sensor on the bottom side. You should find the abs fuse easily if you just look at the box or read the manual.
You're probably stressing too much about the tires and ABS. A day at the track with this car is never ruined by having ABS.

[phastafrican]

Originally Posted by glamcem

why not just pedal dance to avoid nannies?

I have multiple reasons why I went the way I did:

• I broke my steering angle sensor when I tried to retain it for use with my current NRG hub so I disconnected steering angle sensor.
• If there's a long red-flag and I turn off the car to leave it in 1st gear so I don't hold the brakes in, I won't have time for pedal dance once we get going again.
• At the track, I'm one of the busiest people you'll see so it's all touch-and-go. Anyone who's been to a NASA-SE event will tell you.
• There have been times where it took me more than 2 minutes to get the RPMs to drop down enough to successfully do it.
• And I'm forgetful.
• I don't plan on keeping my handbrake.

But these are just reasons from my own experience with this car, and don't apply to everyone.

[phastafrican]

Originally Posted by phastafrican

I have multiple reasons why I went the way I did:

• I broke my steering angle sensor when I tried to retain it for use with my current NRG hub so I disconnected steering angle sensor.
• If there's a long red-flag and I turn off the car to leave it in 1st gear so I don't hold the brakes in, I won't have time for pedal dance once we get going again.
• At the track, I'm one of the busiest people you'll see so it's all touch-and-go. Anyone who's been to a NASA-SE event will tell you.
• There have been times where it took me more than 2 minutes to get the RPMs to drop down enough to successfully do it.
• And I'm forgetful.
• I don't plan on keeping my handbrake.

But these are just reasons from my own experience with this car, and don't apply to everyone.

And for the record, If I could keep the nannies and just have a switch to disable everything but ABS... I would do that because my wife would love to have the nannies and ABS. I would like ABS on for anyone else who drives my car (just in case they panic under braking).

[philooo]

Originally Posted by phastafrican

And for the record, If I could keep the nannies and just have a switch to disable everything but ABS... I would do that because my wife would love to have the nannies and ABS. I would like ABS on for anyone else who drives my car (just in case they panic under braking).

I can't believe nobody has comes up with a pedal dance button !
I'd buy it right away . As you said playing with the rpm and the dance before going on the track is nerve wrecking . I can't think about doing it. That why I want to make sure I know where are the stuff I can pull out

I'll look into it and try to grab a picture of the steering wheel sensor plug.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by glamcem

why not just pedal dance to avoid nannies? having ABS active shouldn't be an issue IMO simply because, if you engage the ABS you probably need to change your braking style and try to practice threshold braking also if you stab the brakes you want your ABS on to avoid locking them

Has it been established that a twin stops shorter by not engaging the ABS?

I've been looking but haven't seen where someone has stated that they've tested with & without ABS and have a difference to report (for example, threshold braking with no ABS is 4' shorter than with any amount of ABS engaged - OR - 3/4 ABS is 6' shorter than threshold braking without ABS). The latter is the case with my car, but it's not a twin.

I have novice-to-intermediate students with twins in upcoming events, and this would be useful for me to know.

[phastafrican]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Has it been established that a twin stops shorter by not engaging the ABS?

I've been looking but haven't seen where someone has stated that they've tested with & without ABS and have a difference to report (for example, threshold braking with no ABS is 4' shorter than with any amount of ABS engaged - OR - 3/4 ABS is 6' shorter than threshold braking without ABS). The latter is the case with my car, but it's not a twin.

I have novice-to-intermediate students with twins in upcoming events, and this would be useful for me to know.

This would certainly be useful info. Unless the student is attempting to bring the car to a halt at full brake pressure, I'm not sure this would be easy to measure. My braking distance at any given corner varies based on rotors, pads, and tire grip. You'd have to take each student's braking modifications into account.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by phastafrican

Unless the student is attempting to bring the car to a halt at full brake pressure, I'm not sure this would be easy to measure. You'd have to take each student's braking modifications into account.

1) Exactly. That is how the test would have to be conducted. So it's not a test of on-track braking as much as it is a test of optimal brake application resulting in a complete stop.

2) This is also true. So what I'm interested in is a generalization, although it's my suspicion that a result from testing with OEM brakes would hold true for modified brakes as well. I may well be reaching there.

Ideally, each driver would perform this test with his or her own car. After all, why make assumptions about the method by which you can realize your car's maximal braking capability when you can determine it for yourself empirically.