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As of right now, you can actually buy a set of Cup 2R tires for the ZR1. They are the OE tire on the Mercedes GTR Track Edition. Only one catch. They are the factory widths. But the aspect ratio is just a bit bigger, so you will have slightly taller sidewalls. The rears will clear fine, but I’ve read there isn’t much room to grow on the fronts. So it may be a no go. Would take a bit of research to make sure it would be fine. Oh, I guess another catch. They are not runflat. So you’d have to carry a compressor and a plug kit or some kind of can of goo to seal it. I am just not sure if Michelin will invest the time and money to produce the Cup2R ZP in the Corvette wide body sizes since those sizes don’t get used on any other car in the world. They already have the the standard Cup2 ZP which was codeveloped with GM (hence the TPC Spec on those tires), which they will just continue to make for many years to come.
^^^
Good catch! The front to rear ratio is very close to the stock, so strong possibility if you don't mind to rip through the fender liners. They are a little over an inch taller. Not sure how the MB Cup 2R's compare to the Z06 Cup 2R ZP in terms of performance, I would guess pretty close.
Also, with stickier tires on the rear than on the front, would understeer rear its ugly head?
Absolutely. If you only are drag racing, then it’s not a big deal. But increasing the available mechanical grip on only one end of the car will certainly affect the handling dynamics at any speed.
Not only the fender liners but the plastic grid in front of the radiators too, very little clearance at full turn.
True. I also thought that, but lately I think it's mostly stones and rubber chunks the tire throws at the grid that breaks them. Wire mesh seems to protect them.
Wow unless I'm loosing my mind I saw the correct 285/30/19 and 335/25/20 sized tires available in a 2R a few months ago. I guess nobody bought them so they took them down.
Wow unless I'm loosing my mind I saw the correct 285/30/19 and 335/25/20 sized tires available in a 2R a few months ago. I guess nobody bought them so they took them down.
I saw that too. Still MO1 Mercedes spec tires. But they weren’t available yet at the time. Now those sizes are gone off tire rack and the slightly taller ones are on offer.
Either Tire Rack goofed up, or Mercedes changed their mind on the OE sizes for that car?
In all honesty, there’s always the Hoosier R7 if someone is looking for maximum track performance. It’s just going to be worn out faster. Not like the Cup 2 ZP. Or Cup 2 R is offering any better experience in the cold/wet. It’ll be skates either way.
Tire Rack now lists the Cup 2R as an option in ZR1 sizes, but they’re backordered.
Hmm. Now they’re back. They initially appeared early this year with a backorder status, then went away. Then slightly different sizes showed up. Still Mercedes OE spec for either. Now the Corvette sizes are back, but still backordered.
Makes me wonder if they ever made sets in the Corvette sizes at all the first time around.
And holy crap are they proud of these things. Over $3100 for a set!
The OE Corvette Cup 2 has a treadwear rating of 180. It’s unspecified for the R on tire rack, but I have a car in the shop at the moment with some Rs and they say on the sidewall 140 I believe. So count on these things wearing out faster, but the softer compound will of course be better for grip. I dunno, seems like very diminishing returns for the almost $800 jump for a set.
I dunno…for roughly the same price as the Cup 2, you can get a set of Hoosier R7s (though the front will have to be a 295/30-19). With a 40 treadwear and is pretty much slick, it will absolutely outgrip the new Cup 2 R.
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