Lol, thanks man... nah, the Star Specs get super greasy when you really start pushing a car as heavy as ours. RS3s or NT05s are both better tires. In my experience the NT05s have better dry grip and don't get greasy. They don't seem to last as long as the Star Specs. For a true track tire though, the NT01s will be my choice for time attack, just no point in running something that sticky for HPDE.

 

I don't think the StarSpecs get real greasy... I haven't driven on the RS3's but have friends who do and from what I've seen they wear very fast, especially the shoulders.

What about the Continental DW, its cheaper then the others and has a higher tread wear.

 

Another thing to address would be alignment, your tires will last longer if you run a more agressive alignment at the track than on the street.

 

Couple of other track guys out here in parts of CA where summer time track temps get up to 100+ and 120+ on track also have experienced this.

For me, the car starts to walk a bit when in mid turn.

For just a street tire, it's probably fine.

 

^ I wouldn't buy the Dunlop if I was looking for a street tire. I would buy something more forgiving like PilotSports.

You can't use all the grip the Dunlop or the Hankook offer driving on the street.

 

Not legally anyway.

 

He's not asking for a street tire for the street, he's asking for a street tire for HPDE. For that... NT05 or RS3s are my vote. They can be used on the street without massive wear, and can be used to their limit for HPDE without costing an arm and a leg.

 

I was refering to golgo's post about street tires.

I find it hard to believe that either one of those tires you mentioned is gonna out last the StarSpec. I know for a fact the Hankook wears faster as I know many poeple that use them. The Nittos I'm not so sure about, but just the fact that they come with less tread depth is a good indication.


The OP stated he wants a street tire that will last, thats why I mentioned the Conti DW, 340 treadwear and is still a high performance summer tire (not max like the others everyone keeps talking about). Reading his post it sounds like he's still going to drive on the street with these tires, not just on track.

 

Yes. This.

I would also consider dedicated track tires if a (financial) case could me made for them.

 

What alignment specs would you suggest?

I know a lot of STi guys love the Star Specs around here. Mostly every Subaru I see at the local autocrosses run them. But, everyone has their own personal preferences!

How come you're going with the NT01 over say, Hoosier A6/R6?

 

For what event, HPDE? My setting is maxed at -2f/ -1.5r camber, zero toe, zero thrust. I currently don't have camber plates.

Different car, different event. What temps are they seeing on the tires immediately after a session?

As I mentioned above, in my IX running the car at maybe 8/10ths in 100 degree weather the tires are greasy. I can feel it.

 

Yup, for autox I guess they might be ok, but for HPDE they get greasy quick, especially if you are driving hard. Late in a 20 min session I was sliding around like I was on ice skates. NT05s will wear faster, but they are far stickier and didn't grease up even when running 20 sessions over two days.

 

What tires did you have on you VIII, OP?

Did they chunk, or just wear very quickly?

 

i ran the same track on both star specs and rs3's. i wont compare grip since the ss's were 235 and the rs3's are 255 on 17x9.5 (alignment -1.7 front -1.5 rear 0 toe).

but, in a daily driving situation, i like the rs3' waaaaay better. the star specs were much, much noisier. i have done 3k miles on the rs3's and 1 track day (second coming up) and they basically look like new. the tread seemed to hold up better at the track too (temp was about the same both days), star specs had waaay more worms on them, and they were definitely sliding noticeably more at the end of the day mid corner to exit.

 

D101 * specs Hands down best street tire I've used to date. Falcon's get greasy as hell when there's heat in them. Dunlops stay predictable, and give you sh*t tons of feedback until they let loose. They'll definately let you know both in sound and feel when they aren't gripping, and treadwear of 200, and a full set runs about $800 from Discount.

You will not be disappointed with * specs!