So.. .I've been running 275 NT01s foreeeeeeeeeeever. Not because they are the fastest, but they seem to just stay good until they cord no matter how stored or how old. Such an amazing tire. But... there seems to be so many tires now that are so much faster, I can't help but to feel I'm leaving some performance on the table, though I'm not sure I'm a good enough driver to REALLY tell the difference.
Where this leaves me is:
Do I stick with NT01s and continue beating on them like usual?
Are there other options that are actually, noticeably faster?
Looking to go to a 265 because I'm right on the ragged edge of wheel well clearance right now.

I'm looking at what seems to be the current go-to: a 265 A052.
I have a local guy really pushing the Nankang CR-S which has a REALLY attractive price point. Also in a 265.

What kinda DOTs are y'all running? Hell, I may even go to a Hoosier, once the Moostang sells and I have some funds freed up.

 

A052 is probably faster, but gotta love the iron wear of the NT01s and RA1s.

 

My current tires were made in 2019. I set a PB with them, this year.
Car has been parked under a patio cover.
The tires never die.
It's hard to give those up.

 

How much are you guys getting out of A7s? Car is 430whp, 3200lbs, and I usually do 3, 20min HPDE sessions with 2-3 hot laps per session.

 

2 weekends typically. 1 if you're going for tenths. After 8 or so sessions the time will fall off quite a bit. Not your HPDE tire of choice.

 

A052 are horrible for HPDE. Great for time attack flyer laps. If you are looking to optimize seat time, I would look elsewhere.

They also feel vague and do not last long. It would be the complete opposite of your experience with NT01's.

 

A052 are good for like 6-10 hot LAPS and they're smoked. Def not an HPDE tire.

I would stick to NT01's or as soon as they're back in stock I want to try the Goodyear Supercar 3R

 

NT01 will prob always be my go-to tire.
I'm thinking a052 or Hoosier so I can see what PB is, compared to my friends again running them. It would be a "once in a GREAT while" thing. Mostly for fun. Then right back to a DOT.

 

Go CR-S for a cheaper option.

 

I ran the Kumho Ecsta V730s this past weekend at Palmer Motorsports Park. Temps were 30s to 70s throughout the weekend. Supposedly the new cheap hotness.. After 5 30 minute sessions on Friday we rotated them. Saturday morning was a 20 minute qualifying session, and then a 20 minute race on Saturday afternoon. Sunday morning we put the car up and discovered the tire on the front passenger had delaminated at the manufacturer seam on the tread. It was a straight across line on one side, and lifted up for a few inches. We moved it back to the least stressed corner and ran it Sunday for two races with hesitation. It held up. I haven't looked at the tires since getting home but will tomorrow.

I am currently in contact with Kumho, as well as Tire Rack. If Kumho is trying to swing up at the more expensive tires, while maintaining a cheap price point I applaud them. However, if there is a flaw in the process I hope they are going to take notice. I would run another set. This could have been a fluke. They were sticky, and didn't get terribly greasy. They were super predictable with good stability to the limit of the tire.

 

Man, that price point is nice. Too cheap not to try, I guess.

 

Pictures are attached showing the delamitation of that one tire at the manufacturers seam. See what Kumho and Tire Rack says of it. Honestly they dont look bad, except for needing more negative camber...

 

Kumho is not on my list of possible tire choices, but I appreciate the info in case they came to mind.

 

I'm planning to run 285 RT660 when my next set of wheels are available. No experience on them yet.

 

I've also run mostly NT01s on my Evo for regular track days. Hard to argue with their lifespan and consistency when you aren't competing, though it does seem like so many people are running the fast 200TW tires at regular track days now. Kind of annoying when one of those people with RE71s, A052s, etc. comes up to you after a session to check out why your car was so fast and then notes "oh...you are on R compounds"...