Track day tyres - what are people's recommendations?

About the AR-1, I can say finally that they are surprisingly good in the wet, but till now didn´t show that performance in the dry what I expected. Maybe on a real race track where they will get 80 or 90° temp the grip will increase suddenly, with 66° what I got they are at least not better as the Michelin PS4S. Basically I use them on Slalom ( in Germany, there´s not a race track behind every corner) and hoped to gain 0,5 sec over the Michelin, the reality is that I lost 1,5 s , horrible ! Since I switched to the AR-1 I´m really desparated about my results. Till now, I was at least 2nd fastest sedan car behind all the Lotus and Mazda MX where it´s impossible to go faster with an added 500-600kg of weight....but now, I´m 10 places behind with th AR-1. A buddy of mine who drives a Lotus Exige, does much more Slaloms as me, he is always f***ing fast and switched from Toyo 888 to Nankang AR-1 and lost from that time on immediately 1,5 sec as well as me and tells exactly the same stories. He doesn´t get temp to the Nankang, what was no issue before with the Toyo. On my 1400 kg Megane, I can hardly suggest that I can´t get more temp on the front wheels than the AR-1 needs but it seems to be the truth. In Hockenheim in the dry, I got 66° ( all over the surface) and Nankang recommends 71-104°. Maybe it´s the right tire for a 24h race.....anyway, for my requests it´s not suitable. I congratulate everyone who´s satisfied with the AR-1 - so keep it. The last opportunity for my AR-1 is next year in Hockenheim, try to wear them out to replace them or hoping for a miracle and finding unexpected grip gains, what I would much prefer....

 

Try Westlake tyres

 

Do you think the RS Sport can deliver the same sort of performance, as the "known" cheaper option semi slicks??
Seems you are the only guy whos really give them a go so far..

 

Easily, but only one way find out for sure, stick couples on front axle and dive into few corners

 

What’s up with cup 2’s apart from heavy cost ??

 

Which compound AR1s are you using? Worth a crack at the softer one?

 

Tried Direzza Jamie?
What is your current set by the way?
I've just ordered some cup2 tyres... as i going by the reviews think they are about the best tyres for road and track, more livable than most semis no?

 

What about Trofeo R ? Timeattack use this as the control tyre. We were impressed on both the Clio and the Meg' in the dry, not tried on damp / wet track. Not a cheap option though.

 

I run ps4s on my r26. 325hp, traction off in the wet. They don't spin up all the much, at all. Good levels of grip. I'm really happy with them. Haven't tracked them mind but can't see them getting any worse on track then on street.

 

I’ve used a set of these on track(pre used)pretty awesome had no grip issues whatsoever, probably out perform the car. Will need replacement soon and will not be forking out for another set will get something decent but cheaper.

 

I can assure you if you're pressing-on on a track the PS4 will after just a few laps simply give up and become quite 'squidgy'
mainly because you're asking it to operate way outside of its design window, fabulous road tyre through

 

I love them on the road.

It's really good to know about track use. If i ever get to the track I'll need a separate set of wheels and tyres.

Very informative topic.

 

Yes most folk keen to explore their vehicles to full on track usually have two sets wheels

 

Nankang AR1 ... pretty happy with those for the price payed... once warm enough, for amateurs like us, they are perfect

 

my mates M2 was super fast last time out with his ps4s tyres..for about 2 laps before the sidewalls started coming away in chunks!

 

Interesting to read that they only last that long. Not what my intial research had led me to think.

I've always had a separate car for track and not used my daily. Always personally chosen r888r's. Though not as good in wet definitely.

As the meg is now my only car. Finding its limits isn't on the menu. But it's good to see what tyres people are using for dedicated track use these days. Shame the ps4s rate so lowly, as occasional track tyres, by you guys. I hadnt planned on running another set of wheels just for very occasional use... I'll be changing that viewpoint.

 

Just to pick back up on that. It seems odd to me, given the amount of good things I've read about the PS4S (not PS4) that they would do that after just two laps.

That kind of damage to me shouts of incorrect pressures or alignment issues like a lack of negative camber. Sounds like they were riding on the sidewall.

Granted i am not disagreeing they aren't a track focussed/only tyre. But they shouldn't be chunking up like that??

 

the guy is a loon though!..and you are probably right about the pressures,i doubt if he let air out from the drive up.His last track day in his previous tuned golf R on forged alloys,he folded the tyres over so bad on the sidewall,he horribly scrubbed the leading edge of the alloys.
Some people have no mechanical sympathy!

 

Full send and no f**ks given

 

Hes always been like that.No fear behind the wheel,and can peddle for sure.
He was as fast as anything on that trackday.
I would never drive a 50k car like he does..