Wet Track or light rain - Cup 2s?

[JN66]

Hey Fellas -

If you knew that for your track the track was going to be wet or even raining - would you swap out your cup2s for the PSS or P4S coming out?

I am getting a second set of wheels and want to use my R wheels/cup2s for track days - but am concerned on a wet track. Even on the street right now when the ground is wet these things really lack grip.

The new wheels will have PSS or P4s on them for daily driving but might have to double down as a track tire should the track be wet - thoughts on Cup 2s in the rain?

Sponsored

 

[mattlqx]

The non-Cups will be better in the rain. They're pretty good on the track in the dry as well. I wouldn't sweat having them as your second set of tires at all. I'd definitely run them over the Cups in the wet in a track setting.

 

[CSL]

Yes, swap them since you've got the option. I was out with my semi-worn Cup2s when it was damp, and it was not a confidence inspiring experience. You will feel much more comfortable with MPSS in the wet, and they are not at all shabby if the track dries up.

 

[Gibbo205]

Cup 2's are pretty good in light wet conditions as the rubber switches on quite easily and they have superb subjective feel. If it is really heavy rain and standing water then the cup 2 is not so good.

In my track testing nothing beat wet cut slicks, the closest road tyre to them was the uniroyal rainsport 3, then Goodyear F1AS3 followed by MPSS in heavy wet conditions on track.

In the dry the cup 2 is hard to beat, great all round tyre.

 

[BlkGT3]

Cup2's are treacherous in the wet especially if its cool/cold!!!! If you have PSS it is a no brainer to run those in the wet as you will be faster and more confident in the grip.

Peter

 

[JN66]

Thanks fellas. Makes sense.

 

[Rogue]

Just ordered the Michelin Cup 2's 305 squared ($322 per tire) no brainer. I've read grip is decent in light rain but I wouldn't push it. Don't even bother bringing them out below 40F

 

[Paul@PKAUTODESIGN]

I recommend to swap them, the SC2 doesnt do well in wet and or cold, the PS4 and MPSS will do much better and be safer in cold and wet conditions.

 

[Bingo13]

Hey Fellas -

If you knew that for your track the track was going to be wet or even raining - would you swap out your cup2s for the PSS or P4S coming out?

I am getting a second set of wheels and want to use my R wheels/cup2s for track days - but am concerned on a wet track. Even on the street right now when the ground is wet these things really lack grip.

The new wheels will have PSS or P4s on them for daily driving but might have to double down as a track tire should the track be wet - thoughts on Cup 2s in the rain?

I would not drive well worn Cup2's in constant showers or through standing water unless you like the thrill of increased insurance rates and turning your car into a metal scuplture. That said, I have driven a new set in heavy rains here without an issue in weather mode and keeping a keen eye on the road. I also drove that same set at the track last week with it being very wet in the morning with temps in the mid-40s to start.

After a lap the tires came up to temp and were fine at speed, well slightly reduced speeds, but going much faster than I thought I could and in fact switched from sport to track mode halfway through the session. I left the tires at 32psi and due to the wet track and temps, they never exceeded 36psi in the first session, which is at their suggested operating temps. After that, the track started to dry up quickly, but was still damp in the second session. Once again, drove conservatively until the tires came up to temp and then no issues at speed.

In fact, I thought they behaved better than the RE-71r in similar conditions (this is at full tread depth on the Cup2s). A tire I have used previously in place of the MPSS in rain/cold conditions and even driving in sleet after one event in an older Cobra. I always thought the MPSS was too compromised and had much better results with the RE-71Rs and AD08R than the MPSS in those conditions on the street and track.

I have also driven the Cup2s on a wet/damp track with about 50% tread remaining, temps were in the mid-60s and they were fine once up to temp and staying clear of standing water. I had to take a corner that had some standing water and it was a pucker event, but otherwise I stayed away from standing water and slightly offline until the track dried off. It is obviously up to you as to what you feel safe doing, just my two cents.

 

[ARS1]

I have Cup 2's on my RS and they seem pretty planted on wet roads but today when I was spiritedly passing another car I did feel them get a little loose... And that has a 4 banger and AWD! Not sure I'd want to run them on the street on my GT350...

Sponsored