[Fiasco]

Hey guys, im currently in the market for a dual duty street and track tire and since I don't see one I though why not start a thread where you can all mention the tires you've been using on the track and throw out some pro's and con's you've experienced with them in relation to categories such as:

- Cornering
- Braking
- Wet performance
- Road noise while street driving
- Durability
- Pressure sensitivity

And any other categories you guys want to touch on. I feel like this could be a helpful resource for anyone currently tracking their beamer or looking to get into tracking. I'll be coming back to this post after my first track day which should be in a couple months to review the set I end up with.

Happy reviewing!

[whyzee125]

I'm not sure a tire exists that's going to do everything you need it to do well. Being in Canada do you use snow tires in the winter?

The summer tires I've been impressed with in no particular order are:
Sumitomo HTR Z III
General G max UHP
Firestone Firehawk indy 500
Achilles ATR sport (extremely underrated tire)

I've used the Firestones for light track use and they did great. I've heard of people using the Sumitomos with good luck.

Also worth noting, I've heard the Federal 595 SS and RS-SS or whatever are excellent cheap track tires, but I absolutely HATED them on the street. I would never consider running that tire for a dual duty car but if you were to get two cheaper sets of tires and switch back and forth, that's a good option.

[edycol]

I am using Yokohama Advan Apax V601. Really cheap, really good performance.

[Fiasco]

Originally Posted by whyzee125

I'm not sure a tire exists that's going to do everything you need it to do well. Being in Canada do you use snow tires in the winter?

The summer tires I've been impressed with in no particular order are:
Sumitomo HTR Z III
General G max UHP
Firestone Firehawk indy 500
Achilles ATR sport (extremely underrated tire)

I've used the Firestones for light track use and they did great. I've heard of people using the Sumitomos with good luck.

Also worth noting, I've heard the Federal 595 SS and RS-SS or whatever are excellent cheap track tires, but I absolutely HATED them on the street. I would never consider running that tire for a dual duty car but if you were to get two cheaper sets of tires and switch back and forth, that's a good option.

You're absolutely right. While there may be jack of all trades and master of none tires out there, im not after that. I am in Canada and I do use winter tires (Bridgestone Blizzak WS-90's to be exact). So winter is sorted, im looking for a summer tire that I can take to the track and still drive around town, pretty one dimensional use case as I will be switching back and forth during summer and winter like you mention.

I have heard good things about both the General G max UHP and the Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's. I have also heard terrible things about Federals so nice to see that confirmed on another level. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with the Michelin Pilot Sport 4s? My research has revealed these to be at the top of the range in terms of dry performance, wet performance, track performance and street performance. Looking to get some more first hand info before spending that kind of money though.

[Fiasco]

Originally Posted by edycol

I am using Yokohama Advan Apax V601. Really cheap, really good performance.

Ever take em to the track?

[whyzee125]

Nice, winter tires helps to find a tire that meets your needs a lot. IMO the michelin is the exact opposite of the Federal. It's the best tire you can get for the street but gets greasy quickly on a track from what I've heard. The federal is the best track tire of the bunch but almost unbearable on the street. I think I would go with the General G max, or Firestone Firehawk. The Sumi was a great tire but it's replacement, the Z5, hasn't been getting such stellar reviews.

[edycol]

Originally Posted by Fiasco

Ever take em to the track?

I only take them to track. I use all seasons in summer and half a fall and end of spring. Colorado is VERY tricky for summer performance tires and in winter I use snow tires.
Excellent tire on track. Progressive loss of traction, no sudden surprises. Are there better tires? Absolutely. But for $116 before rebate for 225/45 R17, excellent deal.
Also, they are very quite, comfortable, smooth.

[Fiasco]

Originally Posted by edycol

I only take them to track. I use all seasons in summer and half a fall and end of spring. Colorado is VERY tricky for summer performance tires and in winter I use snow tires.
Excellent tire on track. Progressive loss of traction, no sudden surprises. Are there better tires? Absolutely. But for $116 before rebate for 225/45 R17, excellent deal.
Also, they are very quite, comfortable, smooth.

Where did you get that deal? Prices seem to have gone up quite a bit.

[edycol]

Originally Posted by Fiasco

Where did you get that deal? Prices seem to have gone up quite a bit.

Last year at Discount Tire.

[72GMC]

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/ar...-buyers-guide/

This article is helpful, especially the chart

[72GMC]

I currently have two summer set-ups
Both are F235/40R18, R255/35R18, on 8" & 8.5" OEM wheels.
-3.2 front camber, -2.0 rear camber

Hankook RS4
Decent grip, but they can take a lot of punishment.
I use them both street & track


Nankang AR1
Following instruction from my tire guy, I heat-cylcled these by doing a 25-minute track session, then resting them for a day.
Grip is better than the Hankook.
I would say the heat tolerance is more like a B or B+ if they are heat-cylced.
Road noise is absolutely terrible. Track only, but fine to drive to and from the track.


Other Options

Conti Force
Looks like an improvement on the Hankook, same characteristics with better pace. Will need wider rims.

Falken RT660
Solid B-rating across the board, so this should be a balanced compromise for both street & track.

Eagle F1 SuperCar 3
This seems to be similar the Falken, with better wear rating. Will need wider rims.

Eagle F1 SuperCar 3R
This looks to be a superb choice, except for wet.
Again, need wider rims

[72GMC]

Correction.
I'd give the Nankang a C+ or B in the heat tolerance.

[Fiasco]

Some great info in that article and on the chart! Thanks for chiming in. How's the track scene in Calgary? To update the thread with my tire choice, I recently pulled the trigger on a set of Firestone Firehawk Indy 500s in a 245/40/R17 square setup for my OEM 17x8's. Looking forward to the increased track width over the 225 Chinese A/S's that came with the car when I bought it. Going to try my absolute best to get out to the track this summer and test them out there but I'll be able to speak toward their street performance fairly quickly once they arrive and get mounted.

[72GMC]

Calgary Track scene is about to improve, with RMM coming on line.
I haven't scraped together enough funds to get a membership, but I will have a handful of guest days.

First time out will be with the hard-wearing Hankooks. There's no point using the soft sticky tires when learning a new circuit.

[72GMC]

The Firestone is a bargain, and available in so many sizes.
General consensus is it's almost as good as the Michelin PS4, at a fraction of the cost.
And for street driving, the performance advantage of the PS4 won't be noticed.

At the track, just be cautious of the tires overheating 15-20 minutes into your session.

[Fiasco]

I’ve heard about the RMM project, looks like it will be a stellar option for tracking once it opens. Im hoping to get out to a Track Junkies track day in for an instructed session in Edmonton a little later in the summer when I can justify the helmet purchase. I’m excited about the Firehawks, got a great deal on them and I hear nothing but great things all around. They are currently being mounted as I post this, excited to stop puttering around trying not to pre maturely wear my Blizzaks.

[72GMC]

Track Junkies has lockers full of helmets at Rad Torque (formerly known as Castrol)
If you're only going a handful of times, you might be able to rent. Especially with COVID being relaxed, knock on wood.
Not sure if they would bring them to RMM events.

If you want your own helmet, get SA2015 or even better, SA2020. Other tracks/groups have more stringent helmet requirements, and don't allow motorcycle hemets for cars.

Also, I recall Track Junkies run 20 minute sessions. The Firehawks should hold up fine. If the ABS is kicking in hard, it probably won't be until late in the session. The ABS is one cue to cool the tires.

[72GMC]

Updated tire selection chart from Grassroots.
These guys are awesome.
The Nankang CR-S hasn't been updated yet.

[Volasko]

I've gone through two sets of RS-4's and for the money and performance I have yet to see anything better. My main objective is a balance of performance and value, which is directly related to long life. I've had my eyes on Conti EC Force tires but they're nearly 18% more expensive for a very similar experience to the RS-4's. I've heard decent reviews for Nanking CR-S and AR-1's from a performance and cost perspective, but I expect to burn through those sets much faster. Does anyone any other recommendations for something long lasting like the RS-4's?

Currently eying the Falken RT660's and Kumho V730's. Curious for some feedback.

Edit: This is a very helpful comparison from Tirerack

[Brian86]

The chart agrees with my experience, those I've driven on and comparisons with other drivers.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by 72GMC

Updated tire selection chart from Grassroots.
These guys are awesome.
The Nankang CR-S hasn't been updated yet.

Man I wish they had the Firestone Indy 500 on that chart. It's what I had 2 years ago and now on this new to me car was going with them again. I'm just looking for best bang for buck ~ 1000$ MAX.

EDIT: I was also looking at Falken AZENIS FK510 but they aren't on the chart here. The Falken website is confusing with the tire categories.. AZENIS FK510 are summer ultra performance vs RT615K+ competition proven performance vs RT660 peak performance inspired by enthusiast hmm.. Are the FK510 higher than the Falkens on this chart just to give me a general idea?

[mattanderson]

No, the FK510's are lower performance (treadwear of 300 vs. 200).