Should I change my tyres?

geoffblick · Postby **geoffblick** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 12:51 pm

Went to my local Jax. He quoted me $113 per corner fitted for 185/60 14 Bridgestone Potenza RE001's for my stock NA8. At present I have Pirelli P6's which have done 14,000 k's including 4 track days & have lots of tread left. My question is. Will I get any significant improvement in my track times ( I am still a novice) with the Bridgestone's or should I stick with the P6's?

lizard · Postby **lizard** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 12:57 pm

Question is how much rubber is left on the ones you have?

M1474 · Postby **M1474** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 1:18 pm

lizard wrote:Question is how much rubber is left on the ones you have?

Answer is

geoffblick wrote: lots of tread left.

You will probably see more improvement by wearing away your P6s at the track than replacing them.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 1:28 pm

Pirelli P6 used to be a performance tyre 20 years ago (had them on an Alfa), but I think they're only trading on reputation with the P6 these days.

Muzdaman · Postby **Muzdaman** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 1:39 pm

No. Spend your money on more track time.

rascal · Postby **rascal** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:03 pm

geoffblick wrote:Will I get any significant improvement in my track times ( I am still a novice) with the Bridgestone's or should I stick with the P6's?

You'll gain the potential for a significant improvement in your track times, but whether you achieve this or not is more to do with your driving abilities.

I'm with the others. I'd worry about getting more track miles to improve the driver, rather than spending money on tyres to improve the car at this point. When you have improved your driving then worry about spending money on tyre/car upgrades...

Note also that you'll learn better car control skills by driving on tyres with lower levels of grip as you cant rely on the tyres grip to make up for driving deficiencies. And out of control moments happen at much lower (and therefore safer) speeds

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:36 pm

There's a few guys I know who track quite a lot.

They have a rule where they won't modify the car for faster times until they're done 3 trackdays on that setup and can't get anymore out of it.

geoffblick · Postby **geoffblick** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 4:46 pm

O.K. Point taken. I just measured the depth at 6mm. They were probably 8mm new.
I shall take these to Sandown next month.

MattR · Postby **MattR** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 5:03 pm

And if your tracking them, they will be at their fastest at minimum legal tread depth. Road tyres aren't any where near as sensitive to heat cycling as semi slicks are so get out there and enjoy the track tearing up the tyres, just remember to put the pressures up compared to what you would on the road, I would aim for about 40-42psi hot for road tyres.