m a x i m u s

What do you all think of these as a track tire? My street tires suck, mostly bc I wanted max tread life. But I'm gonna buy some dedicated track tires. These ones looked pretty good but wondering if anyone has personal experience with them. Thanks.

BLKROKT

For "dedicated track tires"? They're street tires man. They might be incrementally better than whatever you're on now, but they will still degrade faster and perform far worse at track temps vs a true r-compound track tire. If you want track tires, go browse the r-compound options on TireRack. I have run Dunlop Sport Maxx Race and am now on MPSC2, and some people here like the R888s (in 18"). Any r-compound tire you get is going to massively outperform any street tire on track, and if you're even considering 'dedicated' track tires then they're the only option IMO. I'd even look at full race slicks like the Hoosiers if you're going full dedicated, rather than a 'streetable' r-comp.

Jasonoff

I think it's a terrible idea. Use an R-comp for a dedicated track tire.

ItalianJoe1

RE71R's are right at the top of the list for autocross/street/track tires right now. The new offerings that show up are usually extremely similar, anything they gain in one area they give up something else. They are noisy, and tread life isn't great, but it's an r-comp type tire, it's to be expected.

If you are looking to just run them on the track, then you can go more aggressive. The RE71 is still passable in the rain unlike a dedicated track tire, you can daily drive it and not die.

BLKROKT

The RE71R is NOT an r-compound tire

CarHopper

Are you going to use said future tire on the street at all? Or literally just on the track on a separate set of wheels?

Jasonoff

Dedicated track tires mean track only to me...

m a x i m u s

Thanks for the input, guys. I meant "dedicated" as in getting tires to use for the track and not be concerned about treadlife on the street. I don't have a trailer or anything so would have to swap them and then drive to the track. But I hear you all, maybe a more aggressive tire is in order.

CarHopper

Yeah, well, as you see he'll also have them on the street at times so that's why I asked just to be sure.

If it were me, I'd get Sport Cups. This way after a long track day, and I was too lazy to take them off, I could still get away with making it to work and back the next day or whatever and not feel so bad.

There are other options of course, but an RE71R is a waste in this situation IMO because it's kind of an in between tire. Between say a PS4S/MPSS and Cups.

Jasonoff

We were mislead. m a x i m u s is obviously a terrible person.

That being said, something that handles heat cycling AND extreme temps will be a difficult find.

CarHopper

Yes indeed it will.

Let us know what you end up going with and how it works out.

Jasonoff

18's/19's? What sizes?

m a x i m u s

Lol, sorry, my bad for not being clear. I'll check out what tire rack has to offer and let you all know. I don't need F1-grade tires (or is it "tyres"?) but something more leaned towards track use than commuting to work everyday. And I'm on stock 18's.

BLKROKT

I run MPSC2's on the street and they're fine as long as you don't drive like an azzhole. Dunlop Sport Maxx Race too. R comps are totally not an issue on the street as long as you understand that they're not going to be great cold (ie drive with a light right foot), and that if you get caught in heavy rain to drive as slowly as you need to. That's all. they're not this scary thing that everyone makes them out to be.

CarHopper

The scary stories come from user error not understanding the rubber that is on the car. 100% if you know what the tire is meant for, and you drive as such, you'll be fine.

I like the mpsc2. I had them on my Porsche and they treated me well.

Clark Kent

I have used two sets of RE71R's at COTA and most recently a set of Toyo R888R's. Neither brand had much street time other than to scrub them before track day, umm weekend.

The Bridgestones seemed more doable as a street tire but you'd be burning through sets way quicker than the current best rated PSS. I have had plenty of PSS's as well. Don't track those.

On the track the Toyo'sseemed barely more effective than the Bridgestone's. But the Bridgestone's had life left at the end of the weekend.

My next set for a track weekend will be back to the RE71R's. I have an itch to try the PSC2's but then a weekend starts getting too expensive for my taste. It's already $500/day track + $75/day garage + $300 brake pads + fluids, oil, gas.

I'm not a race team so I limit expenses somewhere. For me, the RE71's get the job done. I pass M 3/4's all day. Some Porsche's, most R8's, every street legal Mustang ...

m a x i m u s

I like the Toyo r888r (the 888r replacement). But before I dump money into tires I think I'm gonna hit the track as-is to see if I have a sufficient level of fun. I raced track cars for 5 seasons and never found driving street cars on a racetrack to be particularly fun, so will check it out first. Wish me luck!

Clark, sorry I missed your reply. Good to know the Bridgestone last longer. I'll see how it goes at the track and then decide on tires.