Tires for track/HPDE - anything better than RS4?

[Ohio Enthusiast]

After tracking my Potenza Sports last year, I'm ready to put on some big boys track tires. I am only doing HPDE so I care about wear, heat tolerance , predictable performance and price and not lap times or outright pace. These tires will be used only on the track, so street drivability is not a concern (but it would be nice if I can track in safety in damp to wet conditions).

From my reading here and online (particularly the Grassroots Motorsports article for endurance 200TW), it looks like Hankook RS4 is the go-to tire for my needs. Are there any other good options I am overlooking?

I'll be using Enkei RPF1s at 17x7.5 and would go with 215/45 or 225/45 (unless there's a reason to go wider).

Car has stock drivetrain, RCE yellows, camber bolts and offset top hats (camber is -3 front and -2.2 rear). Currently using G-Loc R10 pads.

Home track is Mid-Ohio, and I'll probably visit other midwestern tracks. Planning on doing 3-6 days a year.

[almostquick]

Quick question for you since we are both in Dayton. Any particular shop you would recommend to perform a good alignment in the area? I have a similar suspension setup and looking for those similar camber results.

Thanks in advance!

[NoHaveMSG]

For what you are asking, kind of hard to beat the RS4. The Z3 is pretty comparable but won't last as long but is better in the wet in my experience. The SX2 lasts longer and is a bit slower and a bit worse in the wet, lot cheaper though and is 260TW. Haven't ran it but I heard the V730 is decent but not as long lasting.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by almostquick

Any particular shop you would recommend to perform a good alignment in the area? I have a similar suspension setup and looking for those similar camber results.

I do my own alignment. I tried several methods and settled on DIY toe plates for toe and a digital angle finder for camber. I didn't have a chance to compare my alignment to a shop, so can't vouch for my accuracy.
I did try and find some race-oriented alignment shop (specifically for corner balancing, but also to get a precision alignment and not just "can't do camber on this car; it's in the green") and Performance Alignment down in Cincinnati was the only one that really caught my eye. Feel free to shoot me a DM if you wanna talk some more.

[jflogerzi]

My vote is the v730s. Faster then the RS4s and cheaper to boot. They not last as long but are a fantastic constant tire. Think RS4 but faster

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[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by jflogerzi

My vote is the v730s. Faster then the RS4s and cheaper to boot. They not last as long but are a fantastic constant tire. Think RS4 but faster

How is their wear (how long is "not last as long")? As I said, I'm not really interested in being faster, although being predictable and consistent is a great plus.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Been reading some more.
What about Nitto NT01? I know, R-comps for a novice and all that, but they seem to be better than RS4s for track with only slightly increased wear (but better heat tolerance and cycling, which seem to be more important for track work).
As I will be running these tires only on the track I'm thinking I can dip into 100TW. They are somewhat more expensive, though. (its sibling the RA1 doesn't come in 215 or 225 so it's out).

[BatStig]

Im trying to find my new track tires as well. I'm currently between two already mentioned and another possible contender:

Hankook R-S4
Kumho V730
Maxxis VR-1

I've spent way too much time Googling and still can't make up my indecisive mind.

[foshjowler]

I've had great luck with the Conti ECForce. It is also an endurance tire, like the RS4, but needs less heat to work well and should last a similar amount of time. My experience is with them on an NA Miata, so heat management and tire life aren't exactly struggles for me, but when I've had them at VIR on a 90F day, they came out of the pits ready and I never noticed them overheating. They should also be a little faster than the RS4 as a bonus.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast

Been reading some more.
What about Nitto NT01? I know, R-comps for a novice and all that, but they seem to be better than RS4s for track with only slightly increased wear (but better heat tolerance and cycling, which seem to be more important for track work).
As I will be running these tires only on the track I'm thinking I can dip into 100TW. They are somewhat more expensive, though. (its sibling the RA1 doesn't come in 215 or 225 so it's out).

The SC3R is about the same price as the NT01 if you are interested in 100TW. They are faster, shed water a bit better, and last around 8 track days. They need quite a bit of warmup though which I believe the NT01 also needs. I haven't run either yet, this year will be my first dabble into them. I still think the RS4, SX2, or possibly the V730 are better options for you.

[BatStig]

Originally Posted by foshjowler

I've had great luck with the Conti ECForce. It is also an endurance tire, like the RS4, but needs less heat to work well and should last a similar amount of time. My experience is with them on an NA Miata, so heat management and tire life aren't exactly struggles for me, but when I've had them at VIR on a 90F day, they came out of the pits ready and I never noticed them overheating. They should also be a little faster than the RS4 as a bonus.

I had the Conti's on my wishlist, but unfortunately they're not available in Canada. Shipping and customs take this already pricey tire out my justifiable price range.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by foshjowler

I've had great luck with the Conti ECForce. It is also an endurance tire, like the RS4, but needs less heat to work well and should last a similar amount of time.

Thanks for sharing your experience, I'll check them out. Main concern is price, as they slot quite a bit higher than the RS4.

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

The SC3R is about the same price as the NT01 if you are interested in 100TW. They are faster, shed water a bit better, and last around 8 track days.

Interesting, I'll have a look. They seem to be more inline with "classic R-comp" (significant grip) vs. the NT01 that seem more like "R-comp-lite" (more endurance than grip). The NT01 consistently show up in HPDE discussions on multiple platforms, that's why I started thinking about them.

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

I still think the RS4, SX2, or possibly the V730 are better options for you.

I tend to agree with you. I'm leaning towards SX2 for the sake of price (just price for a set, not price per track hours), and after they wear/cycle out I will be better positioned to decide on 200TW/100TW and how high I am willing to go in price.

It's just that it's tempting to get something barely/not street legal as they will only be used on the track. On the other hand, I could use 200TW for spirited drives if I'm not too lazy to swap wheels before/after (I'll be moving to all-season tires for the street after the winters wear out).

[TommyW]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

The SC3R is about the same price as the NT01 if you are interested in 100TW. They are faster, shed water a bit better, and last around 8 track days. They need quite a bit of warmup though which I believe the NT01 also needs. I haven't run either yet, this year will be my first dabble into them. I still think the RS4, SX2, or possibly the V730 are better options for you.

I ran 2 sets of the NT01's and they are a great tire. Wear well and an easy to drive tire with good grip. I've heard from people that the newer 200TW's can be stickier in some cases. The Nitto has been around a long time and could possibly be considered 200 if classed today.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by TommyW

I ran 2 sets of the NT01's and they are a great tire. Wear well and an easy to drive tire with good grip. I've heard from people that the newer 200TW's can be stickier in some cases. The Nitto has been around a long time and could possibly be considered 200 if classed today.

That is pretty much what I have heard about them from the people that run them that I have talked to and from browsing a bunch of different forums among the track day crowd. They are a pretty old design, they just tolerate being beat on. OnGrid lets us run down to 100TW and the SC3R has pretty much become the spec tire.