Track Tire Question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: KY
Track Tire Question
I am going to run my stock saw blade wheels for a wile till I learn to drive on the track. I was going to just get Toyo RA1 and be done but I want to go to a few events and get the feel of it all before I spend $800ish on track only tire.
My question is what tire could I run that I can drive to the track, run, and drive back home on?
My thought was to try and pick up a descent set of used tires and just use the up for this year then pick up a trailer and track tries once I have gotten better.
My question is what tire could I run that I can drive to the track, run, and drive back home on?
My thought was to try and pick up a descent set of used tires and just use the up for this year then pick up a trailer and track tries once I have gotten better.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 680
From: Marlboro country MA
If you want tires that you can use to drive to and from the track, and give great performance at the track, there's probably no tires better than Mickey Thompson ET Street Drag Radials. They have a smidgen of tread, so they're street legal, but be advised that they would last for only 10,000 miles or less on the street. I use them at ~35 PSI to and from the track and at about 18 PSI when I'm there.
Oh, and don't even think about driving them in the rain. If there's ANY chance of rain, I'll throw them into the rear hatch area and change at the track. It's a PITA, but less so than getting into an accident.
Oh, and don't even think about driving them in the rain. If there's ANY chance of rain, I'll throw them into the rear hatch area and change at the track. It's a PITA, but less so than getting into an accident.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
From: middle of Illinois
What kind of "track" are you running on? For drag racing, I agree with MTVette on the Mickey Thompson ET Street Radials. I've used Nitto and BFG drag radials and they're good but the MTs are incredible. Except for rain, anything over about 50 mph in the rain and the back end is all over the place. Water displacement was obviously not a concern when these tires were designed. If you're looking for a good streetable tire for a true daily driver that can hold its own on the track too, the Nitto 555r was fine in rain and has enough sidewall strength for some cornering too. If I had two sets of wheels, I'd use these on the street and the MTs at the track, but I don't so I just leave the MTs on it and don't drive it in the rain.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 585
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From: Jacksonville FL
Suckin' gas, haulin' ass.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 8
From: Newport News Virginia
I've used the Toyo RA1's, the Toyo 555RII and the Toyo NT01's. They're all great tires to start out on. The NT01's stuck really well and were awesome in the dry. I would go with the 555RII's though if rain may be a problem.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,395
Likes: 393
From: Lakeville MI
I'd be tempted to try the new Falken Azenis RT-615K or the aforementioned Toyo RA-1 due to the extra tread depth as compared to the Nitto 555RII. Maybe even a Federal 595.
I have driven on RIIs in the past. Got about 2 years of mixed use out of 'em.
I have driven on RIIs in the past. Got about 2 years of mixed use out of 'em.
Last edited by tequilaboy; Apr 22, 2010 at 06:33 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
I haven't tried the tires mentioned above - too rich for my budget when I was learning.
I like the summito HTRZ - still use them as my "rain" tire at the track. Less than $100 each. Have good grip - I can run 2:00 on Road Atlanta with them.
I like the summito HTRZ - still use them as my "rain" tire at the track. Less than $100 each. Have good grip - I can run 2:00 on Road Atlanta with them.
