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I’m now tracking the C8 Z06 weekly and would like to get advice on tires. I’m at an intermediate level and curious what other drivers are using instead of the cup 2 r’s. Has anyone used Michelin Pilot Sport 4S ZP on the track as they got up the leaning curve? I also see some folks switching to 19 inch wheels to get a broader selection of tire choices. Appreciate any advice and let me know or if this is already well covered in another thread. Thanks.
Yes, there are several threads on this, a quick search i this form on track tires should bring them up.
Plenty of people going 19's to open up options (and save some weight). As an intermediate, you probably don't want to shut the nannies all off, so you'll want to find something that keeps the same front-to-rear ratio as the stock setup to not mess the computers up.
For OEM, the 4S are decent options (particularly the TPC spec tires, they seem to hold up better to high heat than "normal" 4S). I've got 4 days on the Vitour P1s now in stock sizes (well, 285s in front) and so far I am pretty satisfied, They are definitely not as fast as new Cup 2Rs, but I'm hoping they hold up well for a much longer time period, I'm happy to sacrifice a little lap time for significant increase in longevity. They are probably a drop faster than the 4S, but more importantly, should hold up to long, hot sessions better. Will see how they hold up for a few more days, but I think I'll be sticking with the P1s in the dry at least...
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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I do the PS4S ZPs for my track tires (in stock sizes). I've used them on 3 C8s (24 Z06, 25 E-Ray and current 23 70th Z06). I run in Intermediate with Chin, and I find them to be very communicative and have good life, which is the primary reason I run them. My current set I ran last year on my E-Ray for 2 full track days, 4-5 autox events and about 3K street miles. I just used them on for a 2-day event weekend before last and they are now down to about 2/32nds. I think I can probably get 1 more track weekend out of them before they are done. Times have been very consistent with them, and I actually ran my personal best the last session of the weekend of the latest event. They aren't going to be the fastest tire out there, but the ability to run them on the street and getting good wear makes them nice for someone who wants to have fun and isn't trying to be the fastest guy on track. You'll still be fast, just not able to do the peak times that you'd get on Cup2Rs, but you'll be able to run consistently across their entire life. Normally, I'd leave the PS4S on spring-fall, but I'm doing several road trips this year, and since my current 4S are low tread, I swapped back to my other set of wheels with A/S 4+ ZPs.
Yes, there are several threads on this, a quick search i this form on track tires should bring them up.
Plenty of people going 19's to open up options (and save some weight). As an intermediate, you probably don't want to shut the nannies all off, so you'll want to find something that keeps the same front-to-rear ratio as the stock setup to not mess the computers up.
For OEM, the 4S are decent options (particularly the TPC spec tires, they seem to hold up better to high heat than "normal" 4S). I've got 4 days on the Vitour P1s now in stock sizes (well, 285s in front) and so far I am pretty satisfied, They are definitely not as fast as new Cup 2Rs, but I'm hoping they hold up well for a much longer time period, I'm happy to sacrifice a little lap time for significant increase in longevity. They are probably a drop faster than the 4S, but more importantly, should hold up to long, hot sessions better. Will see how they hold up for a few more days, but I think I'll be sticking with the P1s in the dry at least...
Thanks for the quick reply and info. I’ll order the 4S this time around. Appreciated the note on looking for TPC spec, I might have missed that when ordering. Good to know that the Vitours are a potential option as well.
I do the PS4S ZPs for my track tires (in stock sizes). I've used them on 3 C8s (24 Z06, 25 E-Ray and current 23 70th Z06). I run in Intermediate with Chin, and I find them to be very communicative and have good life, which is the primary reason I run them. My current set I ran last year on my E-Ray for 2 full track days, 4-5 autox events and about 3K street miles. I just used them on for a 2-day event weekend before last and they are now down to about 2/32nds. I think I can probably get 1 more track weekend out of them before they are done. Times have been very consistent with them, and I actually ran my personal best the last session of the weekend of the latest event. They aren't going to be the fastest tire out there, but the ability to run them on the street and getting good wear makes them nice for someone who wants to have fun and isn't trying to be the fastest guy on track. You'll still be fast, just not able to do the peak times that you'd get on Cup2Rs, but you'll be able to run consistently across their entire life. Normally, I'd leave the PS4S on spring-fall, but I'm doing several road trips this year, and since my current 4S are low tread, I swapped back to my other set of wheels with A/S 4+ ZPs.
Much appreciated the great info and I’ll be buying the 4s as the next set. I understand these are not lap time-focused tires, but great to hear you’ve gotten your personal best time on them as well! Thanks again.
Yes, there are several threads on this, a quick search i this form on track tires should bring them up.
Plenty of people going 19's to open up options (and save some weight). As an intermediate, you probably don't want to shut the nannies all off, so you'll want to find something that keeps the same front-to-rear ratio as the stock setup to not mess the computers up.
For OEM, the 4S are decent options (particularly the TPC spec tires, they seem to hold up better to high heat than "normal" 4S). I've got 4 days on the Vitour P1s now in stock sizes (well, 285s in front) and so far I am pretty satisfied, They are definitely not as fast as new Cup 2Rs, but I'm hoping they hold up well for a much longer time period, I'm happy to sacrifice a little lap time for significant increase in longevity. They are probably a drop faster than the 4S, but more importantly, should hold up to long, hot sessions better. Will see how they hold up for a few more days, but I think I'll be sticking with the P1s in the dry at least...
I just started a set of Vitour P1 after trashing 3 sets of Cup 2R last year and feel the same. Advanced 100+ event experienced driver, Sunny 82 degree day, I got sideways quite a bit easier in the new Vitour tires and can tell they are not as good as Cup2R for day 1 and 2. However, unless you have a sponsor or can handle $1500+ in tire costs every track day (as cup2R cannot make 3 hard full days), the Vitors seem to the be best bet SO LONG as I can get 5 days out of them, ideally 6. If they don’t last that long then I’m gone to try the PS4 I guess which can go on sale significantly less than $3k a set. Will look into TPC version.
eta: I will add I didn’t have any loss of grip at end of 20 min hot sessions with Vitors, they were constant in what they did and look excellent after one day of 6 sessions. I would be more happy with them if I didn’t know how amazing new cup2R could be, but again I need to forget that bc im not dealing with $3,000 tires on carbon wheels every 2 events.
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
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Originally Posted by MikeR397
I just started a set of Vitour P1...the Vitors seem to the be best bet SO LONG as I can get 5 days out of them, ideally 6. If they don’t last that long then I’m gone to try the PS4 I guess which can go on sale significantly less than $3k a set. Will look into TPC version.
eta: I will add I didn’t have any loss of grip at end of 20 min hot sessions with Vitors, they were constant in what they did and look excellent after one day of 6 sessions. I would be more happy with them if I didn’t know how amazing new cup2R could be, but again I need to forget that bc im not dealing with $3,000 tires on carbon wheels every 2 events.
Good feedback on the Vitour P1s, I've been eyeing those as well. I'd love to see someone who's had track experience with both the PS4S and the Vitours give feedback. My bet is the Vitour is a little more grip than the PS4S, but not quite as long lasting. Of course, there's also the new PS5S that should be out by the end of the year in our sizes.
Good feedback on the Vitour P1s, I've been eyeing those as well. I'd love to see someone who's had track experience with both the PS4S and the Vitours give feedback. My bet is the Vitour is a little more grip than the PS4S, but not quite as long lasting. Of course, there's also the new PS5S that should be out by the end of the year in our sizes.
Vitours are WAY better than the PS4Ss. I've run both. This video is from last weekend in my '24 Z07 on the Vitour P1s. Daughter, top left, and I are prepping to run the Bristol Tour and Pro over July 4th week. Definitely looking forward to their 2nd gen tire, which gets to temperature quicker, thus ideal for autocross. Just fine for 2-driver cars.
What kind of life are you getting out of the Vitours? If I could get 5-6 track days out of them with noticeably better grip, they might be worth it.
Honestly, I'm getting better life out of the Vitours than any tire I've raced before, including Hoosier A7, Cup 2Rs, PS4Ss, Nankang. With the right camber (I'm -3.0 front, -2.5 rear), they wear wonderfully. Yes, you could easily get 5-6 track sessions. I did Sebring in January, and so virtually no wear. Autocross on our concrete surface is more brutal than track days, and I can easily get more than 6 events out of them.
Good feedback on the Vitour P1s, I've been eyeing those as well. I'd love to see someone who's had track experience with both the PS4S and the Vitours give feedback. My bet is the Vitour is a little more grip than the PS4S, but not quite as long lasting. Of course, there's also the new PS5S that should be out by the end of the year in our sizes.
This guy ran the PS4S and P1s on the same day and weekend at Sebring. You can watch but he ran a 2:20.6 on the 4S and a 2:19.4 on the P1s, so faster, but not super-magical faster. He also said he much preferred the feel of the 4S though. One day I'll trailer instead of driving to the track and test both, but for now, this is what we have.
Also, I'm suspecting much more than 6 days out of the Vitours, but since I only have 4 so far (actually 5, but couple of sessions were wet so I skipped a couple and puttered around for 1) can't be certain....
This guy ran the PS4S and P1s on the same day and weekend at Sebring. You can watch but he ran a 2:20.6 on the 4S and a 2:19.4 on the P1s, so faster, but not super-magical faster. He also said he much preferred the feel of the 4S though. One day I'll trailer instead of driving to the track and test both, but for now, this is what we have.
Also, I'm suspecting much more than 6 days out of the Vitours, but since I only have 4 so far (actually 5, but couple of sessions were wet so I skipped a couple and puttered around for 1) can't be certain....
This makes sense. The PS4S and Cup2R's were all designed to work as a cohesive part of the tuning of the car. Anytime you deviate from that, the results will not in most cases be any better.
This is also a worry I have about the upcoming Hoosier TAP tires that will eventually be avail. for our cars in OEM sizings. GM highly tuned these cars and I have found that when you deviate from the OEM stuff (both in wheels and tires), you lose a certain level of cohesiveness that makes the car feel so great.
This guy ran the PS4S and P1s on the same day and weekend at Sebring. You can watch but he ran a 2:20.6 on the 4S and a 2:19.4 on the P1s, so faster, but not super-magical faster.
I've raced with him, he's very serious about trying out different tire combos, and wheel sizes. His Z is non-Z07, so his wheel size choices are better than mine, but his skill level is first class.