Which wheel/tire set for a track day?

[2015Etrac]

Which wheel or tire setup should I run for a beginner track day? I have my stock 20" foundry wheels that have 265/35/20 Pirelli summer tires or I have my 19" SVE R350 wheels with 275/40/19 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ tires. They both have about 5k miles on them, the factory wheels do have a patch or two. I've been using the SVE wheels and A/S 3+ tires all the time over the past 2 years or so. I think the track session includes 4 20 minute paced laps. I'd prefer to run the SVE wheels with A/S 3+ tires but am afraid the all season tires might not hold up too well. Thanks.

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[GTP]

My first two track sessions were with BFG Comp2 all season tires, 275 on 9.5" rims. The first day the outer shoulders were torn up. So I flipped them on the rims to not have to see that. The next year, the track had been resurfaced. Now instead of shredding the tires, there wasn't even marbles at the end of the day!

I have done two track days on my new car with PS4s tires, still 275 all around. They are quiter and stickier, still on that repaved track.

In summary you can do track days on all season tires and they really will hold up. (That track shredded everyone's tires until it was repaved.)

If you want a second set of wheels and tires, there are plenty of good deals found in the classifieds, but you will have to be patient to find price/location that suits you.

 

[BmacIL]

It really depends on how you drive. At 7-8/10 in reasonable weather, they'll hold up fine. Near the limit they'll get chewed up, particularly if you don't have enough camber or have aggressive inputs. If it were me I'd burn up the pirellis. They actually do pretty well once they're up at operating temp. Leave the nice AS3+ for your daily/street tires. They'll harden up and get louder after a track event.

 

[2015Etrac]

My first two track sessions were with BFG Comp2 all season tires, 275 on 9.5" rims. The first day the outer shoulders were torn up. So I flipped them on the rims to not have to see that. The next year, the track had been resurfaced. Now instead of shredding the tires, there wasn't even marbles at the end of the day!

I have done two track days on my new car with PS4s tires, still 275 all around. They are quiter and stickier, still on that repaved track.

In summary you can do track days on all season tires and they really will hold up. (That track shredded everyone's tires until it was repaved.)

If you want a second set of wheels and tires, there are plenty of good deals found in the classifieds, but you will have to be patient to find price/location that suits you.

Thanks for the advice. I'll have to ask a few people I know who have been there about how the track is and maybe base my decision on that. But it's good to know they will perform OK if need be.

 

[2015Etrac]

It really depends on how you drive. At 7-8/10 in reasonable weather, they'll hold up fine. Near the limit they'll get chewed up, particularly if you don't have enough camber or have aggressive inputs. If it were me I'd burn up the pirellis. They actually do pretty well once they're up at operating temp. Leave the nice AS3+ for your daily/street tires. They'll harden up and get louder after a track event.

Thank's. I'm guessing the temps will probably be in the 60's around the time of the event. Since it's a beginner course with paced laps, I don't think they will be taking us anywhere near the limits of the car or any of the tires. A friend also told me they could harden up and not be as great on the street after a track event which is what concerned me. I really like the R350 wheels and they do save me about 12lbs over the stock wheels, but at the same time I feel like I should use up the Pirelli tires and save the A/S ones.

 

[BmacIL]

Thank's. I'm guessing the temps will probably be in the 60's around the time of the event. Since it's a beginner course with paced laps, I don't think they will be taking us anywhere near the limits of the car or any of the tires. A friend also told me they could harden up and not be as great on the street after a track event which is what concerned me. I really like the R350 wheels and they do save me about 12lbs over the stock wheels, but at the same time I feel like I should use up the Pirelli tires and save the A/S ones.

I agree with your conclusion.

 

[2015Etrac]

I agree with your conclusion.

Off topic, but can either of you guys recommend a good helmet? I know they have to be SA2015. There's a ton of options. I'd like to stay in the budget zone, but at the same time I know you get what you pay for, and don't want to end up with an uncomfortable helmet. I don't know of any local places that sell them, so trying them on is probably out of the question.

 

[BmacIL]

Off topic, but can either of you guys recommend a good helmet? I know they have to be SA2015. There's a ton of options. I'd like to stay in the budget zone, but at the same time I know you get what you pay for, and don't want to end up with an uncomfortable helmet. I don't know of any local places that sell them, so trying them on is probably out of the question.

Depends on how big your head is. My Pyrotect open face is extremely comfortable. It's an SA2010 so next year I'll probably have to get a new one. Certain groups will only allow the 2015 and up from then.

 

[2015Etrac]

Depends on how big your head is. My Pyrotect open face is extremely comfortable. It's an SA2010 so next year I'll probably have to get a new one. Certain groups will only allow the 2015 and up from then.

I think it's 2015 for this one. Right now I'm leaning towards a Bell Sport at $399, but I have noticed some of the $180 Race Quip?helmets seem to have good reviews as well.

 

[GTP]

Agree with Bmac for you to use up your current wheels. I went through a convoluted process to get the track day wheels and tires I wanted on good financial terms. It's easy to over spend so slow down and do some patient research and watch for sales.

There is a great and recent helmet discussion thread in the track day forum I think. You could order several models all at once from summit to try out at home or even driving around town. Keep the comfortable winner and return all the losers in one shipment.

 

[2015Etrac]

Agree with Bmac for you to use up your current wheels. I went through a convoluted process to get the track day wheels and tires I wanted on good financial terms. It's easy to over spend so slow down and do some patient research and watch for sales.

There is a great and recent helmet discussion thread in the track day forum I think. You could order several models all at once from summit to try out at home or even driving around town. Keep the comfortable winner and return all the losers in one shipment.

Good advice from you and Bmac. I'll probably give the Bell Sport helmet a try and see how that is. I don't know how many track days I will do, especially since it isn't cheap, but I would like to try some autocross events and do a few 1/4 mile runs, so I'll need a helmet anyway. I'm going to Plastidip my 20" factory wheels black to match my car better, that's the main reason I wanted to run the R350 wheels, the offset and color just look so much better on the car, even though that shouldn't be a concern for track driving. haha

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