track & summer tires

[vincentjm]

Hi guys!

I know this question has been asked a million times already, buy anyways:

I'm heading to the Nurburgring in 2 weeks and was looking to get some nice track tires that are also dailyable (for the drive to and from the track). Stock PP wheels.

Was looking at the Potenza RE-71r, maybe even Toyo R888r's. Or Firestone Indy 500's (more dailyable)?
Would love to hear some advice from some track guys. Also, 255/35, 275/35? Or what dimensions would be ideal?


Cheers,
Vincent

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[BmacIL]

PS4S, PSS or Conti ECS, as well as the Indy 500, in that order. RE71R are a streetable track tire and will be fairly poor in the rain and wear quickly. Also, on the ring they'll overheat quickly. You may also consider the Hankook R-S4.

 

[vincentjm]

PS4S, PSS or Conti ECS, as well as the Indy 500, in that order. RE71R are a streetable track tire and will be fairly poor in the rain and wear quickly. Also, on the ring they'll overheat quickly. You may also consider the Hankook R-S4.

i was thinking of getting dedicated track wheels (probably apex wheels) with re-71r’s. I can’t afford michelins lol. they’re really expensive here. the ECS look good, but not the biggest fan of how they look (don’t judge me haha)

 

[BmacIL]

i was thinking of getting dedicated track wheels (probably apex wheels) with re-71r’s. I can’t afford michelins lol. they’re really expensive here. the ECS look good, but not the biggest fan of how they look (don’t judge me haha)

Dedicated track wheels are a great idea, but RE71R are a time trial and autocross tire. They're designed to heat up very quickly. I love them for what I do, but wouldn't recommend them to you for what you're doing. Hankook R-S4 would be a good track tire choice that is very durable and still quicker than the Michelins and Conti. You could also do Nitto NT01.

 

[vincentjm]

Dedicated track wheels are a great idea, but RE71R are a time trial and autocross tire. They're designed to heat up very quickly. I love them for what I do, but wouldn't recommend them to you for what you're doing. Hankook R-S4 would be a good track tire choice that is very durable and still quicker than the Michelins and Conti. You could also do Nitto NT01.

I’d go with Nitto in a heartbeat but they’re not available anywhere in Europe unfortunately. Hancook RS4 sound great so far. How are the RE71R for spirited driving/shorter track days in good weather?

 

[BmacIL]

I’d go with Nitto in a heartbeat but they’re not available anywhere in Europe unfortunately. Hancook RS4 sound great so far. How are the RE71R for spirited driving/shorter track days in good weather?

They're great, but again, after a few laps of a regular size track, they'll overheat and get greasy. Not an issue for TT events but could limit your fun.

 

[vincentjm]

They're great, but again, after a few laps of a regular size track, they'll overheat and get greasy. Not an issue for TT events but could limit your fun.

I'll go with the RS4's then. What dimensions should I get? same as the OEM pirellis?
Was thinking of going with 265/35R19 front and 285/35R19 in the back, 10 wider than OEM and 35 sidewall instead of 40 (Stock PP wheels).

 

[BmacIL]

I'll go with the RS4's then. What dimensions should I get? same as the OEM pirellis?
Was thinking of going with 265/35R19 front and 285/35R19 in the back, 10 wider than OEM and 35 sidewall instead of 40 (Stock PP wheels).

I would look at 275/35R19 on all four corners on 19x10s if you're doing dedicated track wheels. They'll fit on OEM pp wheels too.

 

[NightmareMoon]

I’ve tracked the RE71R a fair amount (CotA for example). Yes they’ll wear quickly when hot but they grip well enough. They’re only bad in the wet if its cold+wet (can’t come up to temp), or if standing water is a concern. For warm damp conditions they’re good.

see if you can get the RE71RS its more of a TT tire and may last longer with a little less raw grip, or the RS4. You can go as wide as 285/35R19 on the staggered PP wheels (but you might need a small 5mm spacer, I can’t remember). I’d run 275/35 or 275/40 too.

 

[vincentjm]

I’ve tracked the RE71R a fair amount (CotA for example). Yes they’ll wear quickly when hot but they grip well enough. They’re only bad in the wet if its cold+wet (can’t come up to temp), or if standing water is a concern. For warm damp conditions they’re good.

see if you can get the RE71RS its more of a TT tire and may last longer with a little less raw grip, or the RS4. You can go as wide as 285/35R19 on the staggered PP wheels (but you might need a small 5mm spacer, I can’t remember). I’d run 275/35 or 275/40 too.

I have 23mm spacers all around so fitment shouldn’t be an issue. I guess 265 front, 285 rear should be fine then?

 

[shogun32]

i was thinking of getting dedicated track wheels

go 10" all around (zillion threads on that) or go 10/10.5 or even 11/11. I mean it IS for a specific use case so why not optimize instead of dicking around with 9/9.5.

 

[NightmareMoon]

I have 23mm spacers all around so fitment shouldn’t be an issue. I guess 265 front, 285 rear should be fine then?

If you go 285/285, thats what the autocrossers do (yes on 9/9.5” PP1 wheels), because then once midway through their life you can dismount the tires and cross rotate them to get a little more life. 285 bulges a but but they’ve proven just as fast as any narrower tire and the rotatability is a plus.

I burned through 4-5 sets of 285/35 RE71Rs on 9/9.5” wheels at autox and track days before moving up to 305/30R19s on 11” wheels.

 

[Apex Wheels]

If you're trying to get something that can work on the street and still be competent on track, the Hankook RS4 is probably the best option.

When the time comes for a dedicated setup, I would recommend our 18x11" ET52 wheels with spacers up front so you can rotate, wrapped in 295/30-18 or 315/30-18 Nankang AR-1 or 305/35-18 Nitto NT01.

 

[EFI]

I would recommend our 19x11" ET52 wheels with spacers up front so you can rotate, wrapped in 295/30-18 or 315/30-18 Nankang AR-1 or 305/35-18 Nitto NT01.

You'd have to be the hulk to be able to stretch out 18" tires onto 19" wheels

 

[Apex Wheels]

You'd have to be the hulk to be able to stretch out 18" tires onto 19" wheels

Dang them typos haha. Edited above for clarity

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