Track day street tire options
Jul 10, 2016, 08:41 AM
#1
Evolved Member
Thread Starter
Track day street tire options
It's been some time since I've had to buy new rubber for the track wheels. Last 3 sets of tires were Dunlop Z1 Star Specs. I loved them on Road Atlanta for their long life, but they would get greasy after 3-4 hard laps without traffic. I'm leaning towards the ZII Star Specs given my happiness with the previous model. But I've had some people mention the BFGoodrich g-Force Rival S and the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R. I'm running OEM wheels and a 245/40R17 tire. The car is at 3k-ish with cage, driver, and fuel. Suspension is Muellerized Ohlins. I would trade overall speed for longevity given the fact that my tire budget isn't huge. Any insight from those that have beaten on these 3 tires at the track would be awesome!
Choices as of now- Dunlop ZII Star Spec
Bridgestone RE-71R
BFGoodrich g-force Rival S
Cheers!
CB
Choices as of now- Dunlop ZII Star Spec
Bridgestone RE-71R
BFGoodrich g-force Rival S
Cheers!
CB
Jul 10, 2016, 10:10 AM
#3
EvoM Guru
iTrader: (1)
The re71r will get greasy faster than you experienced the Z1 star specs getting greasy. The Z2's are a good tire.
How long do you want the tires to last? NT01's are a really good track tire. A step between the street tires you're considering and a full on slick. But they won't last as long as street tires.
How long do you want the tires to last? NT01's are a really good track tire. A step between the street tires you're considering and a full on slick. But they won't last as long as street tires.
Jul 10, 2016, 11:15 AM
#4
Out of your choices, you may want to stick with the Dunlops. I hear the RE71s don't like heat as letsgetthisdone says (though I can't speak from experience; none of my track days have been in the dry).
The BFGs don't seem to be popular, for some reason. The few people that I know have tried them have moved on to RE71s.
The Hankook R-S3 isn't on your list, but is still a really, really, really good tire and is priced better than any of them. I'll be going back to it when my RE71s die, due to my tire budget not being all that big either LOL.
The BFGs don't seem to be popular, for some reason. The few people that I know have tried them have moved on to RE71s.
The Hankook R-S3 isn't on your list, but is still a really, really, really good tire and is priced better than any of them. I'll be going back to it when my RE71s die, due to my tire budget not being all that big either LOL.
Jul 10, 2016, 12:09 PM
#7
Evolved Member
Thread Starter
The re71r will get greasy faster than you experienced the Z1 star specs getting greasy. The Z2's are a good tire.
How long do you want the tires to last? NT01's are a really good track tire. A step between the street tires you're considering and a full on slick. But they won't last as long as street tires.
How long do you want the tires to last? NT01's are a really good track tire. A step between the street tires you're considering and a full on slick. But they won't last as long as street tires.
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Jul 10, 2016, 12:11 PM
#8
Evolved Member
Thread Starter
Out of your choices, you may want to stick with the Dunlops. I hear the RE71s don't like heat as letsgetthisdone says (though I can't speak from experience; none of my track days have been in the dry).
The BFGs don't seem to be popular, for some reason. The few people that I know have tried them have moved on to RE71s.
The Hankook R-S3 isn't on your list, but is still a really, really, really good tire and is priced better than any of them. I'll be going back to it when my RE71s die, due to my tire budget not being all that big either LOL.
The BFGs don't seem to be popular, for some reason. The few people that I know have tried them have moved on to RE71s.
The Hankook R-S3 isn't on your list, but is still a really, really, really good tire and is priced better than any of them. I'll be going back to it when my RE71s die, due to my tire budget not being all that big either LOL.
Jul 10, 2016, 12:12 PM
#9
Evolved Member
Thread Starter
NT01s are great but the Dunlop Z2 SS will be a better street tire, especially in any moisture.
The NT01s are also way louder than Z2 SS if you can believe it.
You can hear mine here, they sound like a damn TIE fighter:
Thunderhill back straight - YouTube
Thunderhill front straight - YouTube
The NT01s are also way louder than Z2 SS if you can believe it.
You can hear mine here, they sound like a damn TIE fighter:
Thunderhill back straight - YouTube
Thunderhill front straight - YouTube
Jul 10, 2016, 01:09 PM
#10
I set of R-S3s last me a year, but I don't get to drive as much as some others. That would be about three track days and a half-dozen AX events. After all that, I sell them off with a TON of tread left. and I mean a lot.
I wish I had more dry laps on my RE71s so I could give you an opinion on them. One thing I can say about them is that they feel great, as far as feedback goes. The grip remains to be seen. I hope to get an HPDE in real soon. It will be super hot, my car weighs 3290 with me in it, and I'll be at 450whp with a good brake pad. I'll be putting them through their paces, so we'll see how many laps I get out them.
Jul 10, 2016, 05:42 PM
#11
EvoM Guru
iTrader: (1)
Originally Posted by mouseIX
I would love to get at least 3 events (18 20min sessions) out of the tires. If I can do that on a grippier NT01 I will look into them.
Jul 11, 2016, 12:56 PM
#14
Evolved Member
Thread Starter
I usually buy from TireRack (dealer discount), but they don't sell Nitto's. Where is everyone sourcing their NT01's? I see they don't make them in my current size 245/40r17, Anyone run 255's on the stock wheel?
Jul 11, 2016, 01:29 PM
#15
EvoM Guru
iTrader: (1)
Discount tire usually gives me a decent price on them. They have a 245/45r17. I would go with that. The 255's are WIDE. I wouldn't put them on a stock 8" wheels. I run the 255/40's on a 17x10...lol