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I have my first track event coming up on the 7th of next month. I am prob going to be running the oem set-up for this one. But, what are you guys running for track tire/wheel combos?
I will not have a tow vehicle, and will have to drive to events. But I am interested in learning what you are finding beneficial for tracking the C7 as far as rubber goes. There seems to be so many options, what's working for you?
This is all new to me, I came from the bike world and ran warmers/slicks. But I just don't have the resources to be this set up for the 4 wheel world. I could use some helpful tips!
It looks like you have a Z51 and I've heard the the 18/19 stockers won't clear the brakes. I know one member here has done it, but I can't say for sure. 18/19 will increase your Tire options. I run the stock MPSS ZPs for a few reasons. They are predictable for one. Are they the stickiest tires in the world, no, but you will be surprised how far you can push them. I don't have to worry about a blow out. I run mainly at COTA and the air wall there is something like a grand per yard. I've seen a couple cars blow tires and smack the wall. For me it's not worth a couple seconds per lap. Plus, I have a good luck getting used take offs here on the forum cheap. Paid $800 for my extra set I have now. I'm getting about 4-5 track days on a set. Now I'm not the fastest guy in the world, I turn high 2:40's so take this for what you will. Here is what my current set looks like with 3 track days on them. Good luck with your track day and let us know what tires and wheels you choose.
I did change the alignment. I went with the Pfadt street/track alignment settings. To me there wasn't enough to negative camber so I plan on changing it before my next track day. I don't drive the car a lot so I'm not worried to much about the wear. On a side note, I run 255/295 MPSS non run flats on the street. What are you doing about braking? What track are you running at?
I had the GM "track" alignment attempted by a local dealer. They are way off my desired marks and I think they have way too much toe on the rears!
I will be running stock rotors, with PFC 01 fronts and 11 rear pads, spiegler lines and Castrol SRF fluid.
the track is Putnam Park and it is very abrasive. It will eat up the right hand side of slicks on a bike, I expect it will eat up right front tire on the car.
On the 18/19's you can run the Bridgestone re-11 or re-71r. I think they around 1k a set. I ran the re-11 on my C6 for a track to and liked them a lot.
Run the stock wheels and tires. Just drop the cold tire pressure to around 27 PSI. They are the best street tires that I have ever run on the track. Rather than the complexity and cost of a separate set of wheels/tires, I just decided to stick with the stock stuff with my C7 Z51. And I do about 8 events a year.
On my prior Corvettes, I did a separate set of wheels/tires for the track. But now I am having as much fun with these Pilot Super Sport ZPs as I did then, and I don't have a bunch of garage space used up storing the extra wheels/tires.
Depending on what track(s) you run on, you might do well to have some more negative camber put on the front wheels. Otherwise you will quickly chew up the outside edges of your front tires. And it also helps with your initial turn in on the corners. The back wheels are not nearly as needful of additional negative camber.
18/19 will be a great idea for the track and will clear the brakes not a problem. I used a set on my car. I have them for sale now I decided to go with a custom set of 18/18
18/19 will be a great idea for the track and will clear the brakes not a problem. I used a set on my car. I have them for sale now I decided to go with a custom set of 18/18
I have tracked my 2016 Z51/Mag Shock several times, and dead stock, the car is great... drive to the track, drive on the track, drive home.
When hot, the stock MPSS tires are quite predictable, and the brakes are fantastic.
However you have to be very careful with the throttle...
I run in Track/Race mode, as the traction control is so intrusive that it makes the car difficult to drive, but even on hot tires, you can snap-spin the car at turn exit with too much gas.
Other than that, the car is a ***** cat... great dual use Street/HPDE car.
I have tracked my 2016 Z51/Mag Shock several times, and dead stock, the car is great... drive to the track, drive on the track, drive home.
When hot, the stock MPSS tires are quite predictable, and the brakes are fantastic.
However you have to be very careful with the throttle...
I run in Track/Race mode, as the traction control is so intrusive that it makes the car difficult to drive, but even on hot tires, you can snap-spin the car at turn exit with too much gas.
Other than that, the car is a ***** cat... great dual use Street/HPDE car.
No matter which car I tried them on ('12 Corvette GS, '13 Z06, '11 EvoX, '14 Camaro 1LE), MPSS tires always failed me. They provide their best traction within the first few laps, and then they overheat and get greasy for the rest of the session.
This quick warm-up property helps out great at the street, where you get traction right away, but definitely hurts it big time at the track.
Well, if you like MPSS tires at the track, I think you'd love some other options : )
No matter which car I tried them on ('12 Corvette GS, '13 Z06, '11 EvoX, '14 Camaro 1LE), MPSS tires always failed me. They provide their best traction within the first few laps, and then they overheat and get greasy for the rest of the session.
This quick warm-up property helps out great at the street, where you get traction right away, but definitely hurts it big time at the track.
Well, if you like MPSS tires at the track, I think you'd love some other options : )
I don't love them... but they are perfectly adequate.
I run Hoosiers on my racecar, but for DE I'm fine with the MP$$.
When they wear out, I'll probably go with a more "street-friendly" day-to-day tire, and get a second set of wheels and put a more track oriented tire on for DE.
Hopefully, next year, when my Powerball ticket hits...
I bought a set of MPSS for when there's standing water on track. They are handy substitute when I cord my track tires and I have one or two more sessions left before the day is over. I bought them because they are highly thought of for endurance racing, but I'm convinced I don't have the right set up for them, because I can't believe with the reputation they have, I do so poorly on them. Not what I expected at all! I use them so rarely that I'm not going to change my set up to see what makes them tick. When I first tried the Nitto NT01 on my current track car, even though I had plenty of experience with them with previous car, I went through three alignment setting in two months to find the sweet spot.
I'm pretty sure my set up doesn't complement MPSS and I certainly haven't dialed in the pressures.
No matter which car I tried them on ('12 Corvette GS, '13 Z06, '11 EvoX, '14 Camaro 1LE), MPSS tires always failed me. They provide their best traction within the first few laps, and then they overheat and get greasy for the rest of the session.
This quick warm-up property helps out great at the street, where you get traction right away, but definitely hurts it big time at the track.
Well, if you like MPSS tires at the track, I think you'd love some other options : )
What other options do you recommend in 19/20? I'm up for trying new things.
What other options do you recommend in 19/20? I'm up for trying new things.
See, that's a trap; there's almost nothing else available in 19"/20". Not only that, these tires also cost more money with larger diameter.
For these reasons, I first switched to 18"/19", which gives us a lot more alternatives (Like NT01, R888, RS-3, RE-71 starting Aug 1st, V720, Hoosier R7, etc.).
If you think switching to 18"/19" is a very costly change, you should also consider the fact that tires at lower diameters are much cheaper. You could, in fact, amortize the cost once you can sell your OEM tires/wheels for a good price and go through a few sets.
See, that's a trap; there's almost nothing else available in 19"/20". Not only that, these tires also cost more money with larger diameter.
For these reasons, I first switched to 18"/19", which gives us a lot more alternatives (Like NT01, R888, RS-3, RE-71 starting Aug 1st, V720, Hoosier R7, etc.).
If you think switching to 18"/19" is a very costly change, you should also consider the fact that tires at lower diameters are much cheaper. You could, in fact, amortize the cost once you can sell your OEM tires/wheels for a good price and go through a few sets.
I know what you mean. I currently have two sets of Z51 wheels. One set for riding around town with 255/295 MPSS mounted. Then I have another set with the factory MPSS ZPs that I use for the track. I also have another set of MPSS ZPs waiting in the wings. Once those are burnt up I might look for a set of factory 18/19 to use for the track. I might go for a set of those V720s. I have heard a lot of good things about them on the ACR.
I know what you mean. I currently have two sets of Z51 wheels. One set for riding around town with 255/295 MPSS mounted. Then I have another set with the factory MPSS ZPs that I use for the track. I also have another set of MPSS ZPs waiting in the wings. Once those are burnt up I might look for a set of factory 18/19 to use for the track. I might go for a set of those V720s. I have heard a lot of good things about them on the ACR.
My 2 cents on new wheels: If you can, try to get something wider than stock (like Cray Spiders, or LG's wheels, etc.). If you don't make the wheels wider, wider tires don't bring in any benefit, and they might actually have a negative impact on handling, with the bouncy sidewalls and more circular contact patch.
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Our GT2 wheels have worked out nice for a lot of guys. They clear the stock base and stock Z51 brakes on the C7 with no issues. They are a 18/19 split so you can run a factory style DOT tire or there are a few slick options as well.
We did a 9" front wheel and 10.5 rear so again you have a number of width choices as well.
That was our 2014 Z51 on black GT2 wheels in both a DOT tire (265 front and 305 rear) as well as the same set of wheels with Pirelli slicks on it (Ferrari Challenge tires).
I have wheels in stock, tires I would have to order depending on what you want. Sizes are compatible with the computer so you don't have to worry about it throwing off TC or AH if you are using one of those modes.
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C7 Track Wheel/tire info
