Best Tire for Track Day
- Thread starter MZULK60
- Start date
H3br3w_Ham3r
Member
- :
- 2008 Mazdaspeed3
(scratch)
You want best 1/4 mile traction for a car built mainly for corners?
You want best 1/4 mile traction for a car built mainly for corners?
Yep-
I have done some suspension mods for that but i dont know anything that beats lining up at the tree and pounding through all the gears.
Check with your local track before running R compound tires. Certain tracks (like VIR), will not allow anyone in novice or beginner classes to run R comp's, as they are extremely dangerous at the limit.
Unlike street tires, R comps will tend to grip almost right to the limit, then suddenly let go..while street tires will tend to complain and groan as you approach the limit, giving you more feedback. Additionally to make full use out of R comp's, you'll need...
1) Some sort of harness or system to keep you restrained in your seat. (Cg-lock will help, but man you won't believe how hard an R comp can grip and throw you around in the car)
2) Suspension modifications
3) Track Brake Pads
If you do not have a lot of track experience, I'd recommend going with something like a Falken RT615 or Hankook Z212 instead...which are street tires with excellent dry grip. (The falken outdoes the Hankook in terms of sidewalls and dry grip, but loses in wet traction).
Unlike street tires, R comps will tend to grip almost right to the limit, then suddenly let go..while street tires will tend to complain and groan as you approach the limit, giving you more feedback. Additionally to make full use out of R comp's, you'll need...
1) Some sort of harness or system to keep you restrained in your seat. (Cg-lock will help, but man you won't believe how hard an R comp can grip and throw you around in the car)
2) Suspension modifications
3) Track Brake Pads
If you do not have a lot of track experience, I'd recommend going with something like a Falken RT615 or Hankook Z212 instead...which are street tires with excellent dry grip. (The falken outdoes the Hankook in terms of sidewalls and dry grip, but loses in wet traction).
Nliiitend1
Member
I'm confused...
Whose thread is this?
The OP seems to be looking for drag tires, and in that case I'd suggest a drag radial...
Whose thread is this?
The OP seems to be looking for drag tires, and in that case I'd suggest a drag radial...
Well MZULK60 and i were going to split the rims and tires, so we can run them on the front.
Nliiitend1
Member
Well then you're both probably going to have to compromise, since the two types of driving (drag strip/road course) have different tire requirements in order to maximize traction...
That said, I have the Kumho XS and they're a great autocross/road course tire. I just don't know that they're exactly a great choice for drag racing...
That said, I have the Kumho XS and they're a great autocross/road course tire. I just don't know that they're exactly a great choice for drag racing...
Nitto 555r extreme drag radial. and something to bear in mind. When you are getting tons of grip at launch, the moment of force will be directed to the the drivetrain instead of forgiving wheelspin. If you decide to really run the car hard in the eighth and 1/4 mile you might need to start building or repairing the axles and clutch and such. I think thats a great idea, sharing dedicated tire/wheels for the racing. There are a number of drag tires though. they are good for nothing else, but very good at gaining straightline traction. This tire will do the trick though
Assuming you don't mean R-Compound rubber, I think you're missing one key tire. I autocrossed my car 5 or 6 times on the stock tires, and they worked ok.
I just bought a set of Dunlop Direzza z1 StarSpecs, 224/45/R18 mounted on stock wheels, with Cobb Springs and Sway Bars. The Dunlops are less expensive than the Khumos or the Bridgestones.
I competed in the SCCA ProSolo event at El Toro last weekend with this setup, and in the STU class, everyone was on the Dunlops! For the price, this it the track tire to have!
I just bought a set of Dunlop Direzza z1 StarSpecs, 224/45/R18 mounted on stock wheels, with Cobb Springs and Sway Bars. The Dunlops are less expensive than the Khumos or the Bridgestones.
I competed in the SCCA ProSolo event at El Toro last weekend with this setup, and in the STU class, everyone was on the Dunlops! For the price, this it the track tire to have!
Nliiitend1
Member
Actually, I think the Kumho XS is generally cheaper than the Dunlops...at least they are in the size I have (235/40R18). It'll be interesting to see how they stack up to the Dunlops in SCCA Solo this year, as I know of quite a few people who are trying them out (me being one of them). I've only had one event on them so far, but I was really impressed. I never had the Dunlops (my last set of really sticky rubber was the RT-615s on my Focus) but I really like the way the Kumhos felt (fast fast warmup, consistent grip, and easy to feel out). I just think I need a little bit more front pressure than I was running last time and they'll be just about perfect.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compa...e&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&RunFlat=All
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compa...e&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&RunFlat=All
Last edited:
Nliiitend1
Member
Those Yokohamas are R-compound tires...once good and warmed up they'll grip better than just about any regular street tire.
They'd probably be a pretty piss-poor drag tire though...
They'd probably be a pretty piss-poor drag tire though...
Why is that? for R-compound tires the grip is what you would want for drag. What is the down side of that? I probably have this wrong!!
Nliiitend1
Member
R-compound tires need to get a relatively LARGE amount of heat into them to get grippy, plus those Yoke's have REALLY stiff sidewalls, which is not something you probably want in a drag tire...
Refer back to what I said in post #9 of this thread:
Refer back to what I said in post #9 of this thread:
Nliiitend1 said:
