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what track tires?

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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 10:35 PM
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Default what track tires?

for DD, i have on now, front: yokohama es100 & m/t et street radials. first and only time i went around the track it was pace car restricted and maybe topped out at 90 a few times. the mickey's stuck really good @30psi'ish. will the m/t's work for road courses as well? suggestions on road course tires? 275/40/17

i have another set of rims that would be used for road course only. no drag radials.

the trip around the track i took was for a charity " drive away hunger"

track video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0O5-vb5VEI

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...C&startIndex=0
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Old Dec 28, 2008 | 11:04 PM
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Cheap street tires are good to learn on for a while. After you wear those out you can step up to a Nitto 555R2
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Old Dec 30, 2008 | 10:52 AM
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if you want a real rr tire, hoosier makes the r6.

I've managed to score a few sets of grand am cup tires used for cheap. the first set lasted 8 track days, and still have a little meat on them. You can check this place

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html...RODUCT_ID=6868

BMW take offs.
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Old Jan 2, 2009 | 04:28 PM
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Nitto 555RII's are a good start, or their NT01's. Toyo Proxes R888's are probably one of the best sticky/endurance tires you can find, although if you can get your hands on a set of the old Toyo RA1's, those things are great too. For ultimate sticky, Hoosier R6's, BFG R1's, or Kumho V710's. Kumho also makes the V700 VictoRacer, which is similar in design to the Toyo RA1's ... not quite as sticky as the R6/R1/V710's, but they last longer .
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Old Jan 2, 2009 | 10:21 PM
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For a dedicated track tire, Toyo RA-1s are getting really, really cheap now.

For years it's been the spec tire for CMC and American Iron. But Toyo mandated the R888s beginning in 2009. So a lot of teams are selling off their stash of used and new RA1s.

They aren't a Hoosier, but they are a damn nice tire that lasts a long time.
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Old Jan 3, 2009 | 07:05 AM
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Originally Posted by mitchntx
For a dedicated track tire, Toyo RA-1s are getting really, really cheap now.
Really, really hard to find too, since they're discontinued . Pretty much every supplier up here has sold out of all 275/40/17's .

2008 was pretty much the first year people were running R888's, and the feedback wasn't as good to start with them. Over the course of the year though, Toyo actually provided some advice on how to set them up ... they run different pressures/temps than RA1's (generally lower pressure from what I recall) and guys started having better luck with them .
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Old Jan 3, 2009 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by Cap'n Pete
Really, really hard to find too, since they're discontinued . Pretty much every supplier up here has sold out of all 275/40/17's .
NASA Forums in the for sale section has several sets for sale. Phil's Tire Service has them unshaved for $191 each.

Don't know quantities, but a set will last a long, long time.
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Old Jan 3, 2009 | 02:57 PM
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Thanks for the heads up, Mitch. I still haven't decided what I'm going to run for tires long-term. Currently I've got a set of very new V710's, well worn R6's and well worn RA1's. I don't think any of them will last the season, and for competition, I prefer to use the stickier R6's or V710's vs. RA1's. However, at the moment, "competition" for me is the clock, aka: fastest lap possible (I'm running in SoloSprint here in Ontario), but if endurance/multiple lap sessions were my goal, then I'd lean more towards the tires that last .
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Old Jan 7, 2009 | 04:54 PM
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I don't want to have to change tires at the track so am planning to get a set of Nitto 555rIIs. I would only use them to drive to the track (either 1 hour or 3 hours away), run the weekend, and drive home. Is this a good choice? I know I should just step up to slicks but don't really want the hassle of either trailering the car or hauling tires. BTW, I just do HPDEs.
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Old Jan 8, 2009 | 06:27 AM
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Yeah, you'd be fine doing that. I've done the same on my Toyo RA1's, as have a couple others I know. Just be careful once the tread wears down and they begin to look like a slick ... the rain and cops could become an issue for you .
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Old Jan 8, 2009 | 04:47 PM
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didnt the OP have this same question in another forum somewhere? i answered it there. id never use a regular drag radial on a road course. the only one would be the nitto 555rIIs. drag radial compound and tread on a stiff carcass.

look into the nitto NT-01 also. dry weather only of course, but its about the best thing next to a dedicated track tire. you can run it on the street, and track. the more street time will wear them out faster, of course.
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