Track day tyre which won't kill me in cold/wet

Discussion in 'Suspension, Brakes, Wheels & Tyres section' started by D7DPJ, Aug 15, 2021.

  1. I know we have many tyre posts but I've gone through the forum, google etc and still really stuck. As a stop gap before buying dedicated track wheels I want to replace my pzeros on my 19" steev with the most track focused tyre I can get that won't kill me in daily wet/cold driving. The car is my daily but I'll probably do maybe 4k a year max with 4 plus track days a year. The car was great at brands but the pzero just let me down, they did ok for road tyres but I'd like to be able to do a 20min session without the tyres going off.

    I've been looking at:

    Michelin cup 2
    Michelin ps4s
    Bridgestone potenza s007
    Nankang ns2r
    Federal 595 rsr
    Yoko ad08rs

    But any other suggestions would be great. As a track day tyre I know cup 2 are great but hearing they are dangerous in wet or cold conditions. Ps4s we all know are fantastic but will they let me down on track? The rest are cheaper but really don't know much about them.
     
  2. Been using Federal 595`s for a while now.I think they offer a very good all round compromise.
    Capable on the track if you manage then,dry grip on the road is as good as anything,stiff sidewalls,and more than capable of not throwing you in a ditch when you hit standing water in the wet.
    PS4S is also a great all round tyre..but obviously a chunk more cash.
     
    D7DPJ likes this.
  3. Don't get the ns2r, they're not bad in the dry but wet/damp is a no go!

    I ran Goodyear supersport at anglesey and thought I'd swap to my ns2r as it was only mildly damp, the lack of grip in comparison was unbelievable! I soldiered on for 4 laps to try get some heat into them but it was a no go.

    The harsh reality is you need a second set of wheels to get the most benefit IMO.
     
    manugtt and D7DPJ like this.
  4. Thanks for the info so far. I understand a second set is ideal and that will happen. Trying to work out the best compromise in the meantime.
     
  5. Did an evening session at Brands this week using PS4's. They didn't go off and gripped well.

    A good compromise between track and daily.
     
  6. Totally agree with @Agreen , a second set of tyres for track is the way, if they are 18", better. But I´m in your boat and use Pilot SuperSport for all. In 19" you´ll not find them, but got the PS4S. Not the cheaper option but they´ll make you happy.
    NS2R?? Only can make you smile when you see them burn, literally.
    Obviously IMO.
     
    Muxa likes this.
  7. ianplymouth

    ianplymouth RSM Club Member

    Spa a couple of years ago, part worn Federal 595rs-r's
    I run 595's in the damp and dry, if its wet then you wont go far wrong with Goodyear asymmetric 5's had these on 19's as a road tyre as well, last really well and good grip on the road.

     
    Mr Spoon likes this.
  8. If you're looking for a single set of tyres that work on the road and track, "UUHP" tyres (ultra-ultra high performance) are what you're looking for. These are basically enhanced UHP tyres, sacrificing a bit of comfort to make them more capable on track (i.e. stiffer sidewalls). Above this category is the likes of the Cup 2, Yoko AD08's, Federal 595's etc..

    Using Michelin as an example, a PS4S is a UUHP tyre, below that is the "standard" PS4 (non-S model), and above that is the CUP 2. If you say a PS4 is 90% road 10% track usage, and a CUP 2 is 90% track 10% road, a PS4S or other UUHP tyres will be 50/50, or maybe 60% road 40% track is more realistic.

    These are the best options:
    Michelin PS4S
    Goodyear Eagle F1 Supersport
    Bridgestone Potenza Sport

    The Michelins are the most expensive but typically wear the best. Goodyears are arguably a touch better on track when pushed hard, but the differences are minimal. The Bridgestones are still very new to the market.
     
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  9. I did first few trackdays on pilot sport 4’s then was at castle Combe and realised the tyres were holding me up/not up to the task. As Agreen said another set of wheels tires is the awnser, expensive but worth it in my opinion. And when done can sell them on.
     
  10. Another benefit of having two sets is if it’s wet you can put the road tyres on a be significantly quicker then people in much faster cars who only have tyres meant for dry/warm conditions.
     
  11. As mentioned a second set will happen but new wheels and some proper semi slicks is going to be £1500 ish.

    Looking at replacing my currents for £700 max.

    I'm seeing some good reviews on zestino gredge 07rs. For £500 a set it's also really worth looking into.
     
  12. Hi All,

    so after searching, searching, watching reviews, searching forums etc etc etc ive decided with the Zestino Gredge 07rs which is a 140tw.

    Reviews as a track tyre put them around the R888 area which people preferring them over the nankang AR1's. If this is the case ill certainly be happy with this for now in dry conditions. For wet which shouldnt be track use just daily they are apparently pretty good for a semi slick.

    I was torn between these, the 595 rs and the PS4's but 595 are very difficult to find and the PS4's which i know is a fantastic tyre especially as a daily but i believe may have let me down a little on track. The Zestinos should give me what i need but time will tell. £530 delivered for 19's is also an absolutle bargain if they live up to the hype.

    Either way ill report back, ive got Cadwell on the 23rd September so this will be the true dry test (oh i hope its dry).

    Thanks again for all your help.
     
  13. Enjoy.
     
    D7DPJ likes this.
  14. Heard a few people talk about these. Report back at some point,as I have also heard 595’s are hard to get at the moment. My last set I got from a German company with a UK website.
     
    D7DPJ likes this.
  15. I've always had decent results with NS2R's. Had them on multiple different chassis now, and if scrubbed in properly and pressures/temps adjusted accordingly they've been great for the cost. I found them much better in the wet at Donnington compared to the AD08R's I had previously on a wet day at Donnington.

    Michelins are decent road tyres, I've always found they go off after about 3-4 hard laps, decent in the wet though.

    Goodyear Eagle F1's are fit for the bin if doing any track work. Had a set on my old M3 when I bought it and did a day at Snetterton on them, overheated after 2 laps on a summers day, unpredictable breakaway and noisy on the road.

    I'll be trying the Zestino Gredge next time, lots of people I've spoken to about them rate them very highly for their cost.

    I have since changed to using 2 sets of wheels for trackday's so I can have dry and wet setups.
     
  16. Were the NS2R's new? They are awful in damp or wet conditions until they've done a few hard laps in the dry I've found.
     
  17. But which Goodyears did you use? There's a big difference all of the Eagle F1 range, like between the latest Assymetic model (5) and the Supersport is a big difference. Same goes for Michelin and the PS4 vs PS4S, but most people don't appreciate just how difference each tyre is.
     
  18. I didn't even realise they did different versions
    I'll have to have a look and see what ones they were. I've never used Goodyear's before, I just assumed they were Goodyear's more sports focussed tyre and there is only one version.
     
  19. Goodyear have basically gone head-on with Michelin recently and now have a competitive tyre for all of Michelin's offerings, whilst undercutting them on cost by a good amount.

    Michelin PS4 = Goodyear Asymmetric 5
    Michelin PS4S = Goodyear Supersport
    Michelin Cup2 = Goodyear Supersport R
    Michelin Cup2 R = Goodyear Supersport RS

    Bridgestone's new one I mentioned before is squarely aimed at the PS4S and Supersport, plus Hankook have one in the works too. Continental are due some new tyre releases as well so lots of competition now which means better tyres for us.
     
  20. Half worn, already done a trackday with them and maybe 1k road miles.

    They're decent in the dry, but wet/damp absolutely shocking. Perhaps it wouldn't have been so noticeable if I hadn't ran the supersport for a couple of stints first, but in comparison, they were truly awful.
     
  21. I had the zestino thinking they wouldn't be bad for the price..... How wrong I was, they lasted a day at anglesey and an evening at donington before the fronts were literally torn to the point of being dangerous. They gripped well for 20mins then went to shit on my megane and it's only 320hp. Gone back to yoko ad08rs now and can't fault them. 3rd set I've had on this car. There good in wet aswell done a few wet donington evening sessions on them and had no dramas. Biggest factor of all is finding the correct pressure and adjusting to get them working. Can buy the best tyres in the world but if you don't get the pressures right you might aswell buy some ditch finders.
     
  22. Doesn't seem to match up to other reviews I've seen but time will tell.

    Have you got an lsd?
     
  23. Just the standard 1 mate. My mates with m3s and m4s have all tried them and said the same. There too soft to last any more than 3 track days at a push. We tried to buy the hard compound in them but no one had then in the sizes we wanted so we Had the mediums
     
    D7DPJ likes this.
  24. Isn't it amazing the difference in speed of an F1 car through ea rouge.... Scary stuff.
     

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