Trackday tyre recommendations on a budget

MikeVictor · Postby **MikeVictor** » Tue Jun 16, 2020 6:20 pm

Hi all.

Not doing wheel to wheel racing but looking to head out to the track again in a couple of months and I've got my OEM rims not selling so figured I'd put some trackday rubber on there.

What would people recommend for a good day out that won't break the bank? I'm not racing for glory, money or girls just looking to go out there and be a little better than I was before and don't want to shred my street tyres.

If it helps I'll be sizing up 215/45/R17 rubber.

cheers,
MV

CeramicND · Postby **CeramicND** » Tue Jun 16, 2020 8:45 pm

Just get some Hankook RS4's, there is no better bang for buck tyre at the moment. Good grip, good wear, good price!

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CrazyRacer · Postby **CrazyRacer** » Tue Jun 16, 2020 8:45 pm

In road going track tyres Hankook RS4 is probably the best value. Yokohama AD08R is also very good but a fair bit more expensive.

In stickier "R" tyres Nankang AR-1 are pretty good value or Nitto NT01 if you can find them in your size.

If just going out for fun I'd probably go the RS4

MikeVictor · Postby **MikeVictor** » Tue Jun 16, 2020 9:41 pm

Thanks and yep not a bad call. RS4's are $141 a corner on Tyroola so not too bad at all. Tossing up now between fitting these to my spare rims or just flogging my Michelin's (less than ideal for track work I know) as they're due to be replaced in the next six months or so anyway. First world problems.

I guess on the plus side for the Hankook's is that I'll have a dedicated track day tyre for those outings too. For a few at least :lol:

Dan · Postby **Dan** » Wed Jun 17, 2020 8:43 am

Since you have a set of spare wheels I'd just put NT01's on it. Not much more $ but a fair bit more grip and they last for ages.

Red_Bullet · Postby **Red_Bullet** » Wed Jun 17, 2020 9:02 am

Nankang AR1 is an option too, as a track tyre.

MikeVictor · Postby **MikeVictor** » Wed Jun 17, 2020 9:09 am

Dan wrote:Since you have a set of spare wheels I'd just put NT01's on it. Not much more $ but a fair bit more grip and they last for ages.

Nice tyre, but $60 a corner more. I'll see about saving the extra cash if they're that good.

PaulF · Postby **PaulF** » Wed Jun 17, 2020 9:20 am

Red_Bullet wrote:Nankang AR1 is an option too, as a track tyre.

People have mixed stories about AR1s. Personally, I had a set and sold them because I was faster on RS4s.

If you're not looking to set records, the RS4 is unbeatable for value at the moment. And it's a pretty decent street tyre too!

Dan · Postby **Dan** » Wed Jun 17, 2020 9:30 am

MikeVictor wrote:
Dan wrote:Since you have a set of spare wheels I'd just put NT01's on it. Not much more $ but a fair bit more grip and they last for ages.

Nice tyre, but $60 a corner more. I'll see about saving the extra cash if they're that good.

They are R spec tyres so they will be faster. You said you aren't worried about times so for just having fun RS4's will be fine.

I've never been the sort of person who worried too much about the cost of tyres as it is a tiny part of the overall cost of tracking a car and when I look at amortizing the cost over a bunch of days it's not bad.

I think I got 9 track days out of a set of NT01's including driving to/from the track so if you pay $200 a corner and get 9 days it's $88 a track day in tyres. Even with that set they weren't completely done, I just wanted to move up to Z221's and they were down to almost no tread.

CeramicND · Postby **CeramicND** » Wed Jun 17, 2020 10:49 am

MikeVictor wrote:Thanks and yep not a bad call. RS4's are $141 a corner on Tyroola so not too bad at all. Tossing up now between fitting these to my spare rims or just flogging my Michelin's (less than ideal for track work I know) as they're due to be replaced in the next six months or so anyway. First world problems.

I guess on the plus side for the Hankook's is that I'll have a dedicated track day tyre for those outings too. For a few at least

Mike, it's a pity you aren't in Newcastle. I could fit and balance them for $140 a corner.

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Red_Bullet · Postby **Red_Bullet** » Wed Jun 17, 2020 4:47 pm

Trouble is with NT01 and I had these prior to the Nankang Ar-1s. The NT01 was fine on track, but I drive to the track then hopefully back home again. On the sidewall it says "Recommended for competition use only" Not keen on trying to convince a police officer or transport inspector that they are road legal. Although I did get away with it for 2.5 years! The NT01s lasted ages, only got rid of them because tread was getting too low for road use. They were still fine on track. The Ar1's are definitely road legal, they are quieter than the NT01. I'm doing pretty similar times on track with either tyre, although recently I got a new PB on the AR-1s. Wouldn't particularly put that down to the tyres though, too many other variables, especially with the driver...

StillIC · Postby **StillIC** » Wed Jun 17, 2020 6:30 pm

CeramicND wrote:...Mike, it's a pity you aren't in Newcastle. I could fit and balance them for $140 a corner.

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As a Novocastrian I suggest you give your business a plug. Where are you?

Dan · Postby **Dan** » Wed Jun 17, 2020 8:46 pm

Red_Bullet wrote:Trouble is with NT01 and I had these prior to the Nankang Ar-1s. The NT01 was fine on track, but I drive to the track then hopefully back home again. On the sidewall it says "Recommended for competition use only" Not keen on trying to convince a police officer or transport inspector that they are road legal. Although I did get away with it for 2.5 years! The NT01s lasted ages, only got rid of them because tread was getting too low for road use. They were still fine on track. The Ar1's are definitely road legal, they are quieter than the NT01. I'm doing pretty similar times on track with either tyre, although recently I got a new PB on the AR-1s. Wouldn't particularly put that down to the tyres though, too many other variables, especially with the driver...

Running R-S4's after a couple of track days will probably get you the same outcome.

My thought is that if they start looking at the writing on your tyres you are pretty much cooked unless they are brand new.

CeramicND · Postby **CeramicND** » Thu Jun 18, 2020 6:31 pm

StillIC wrote:
CeramicND wrote:...Mike, it's a pity you aren't in Newcastle. I could fit and balance them for $140 a corner.

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As a Novocastrian I suggest you give your business a plug. Where are you?

Hi StillC. The tyres are a sideline. I sell Nankang, Federal and Hankook as a hobby. If you join the Newcastle Motorsport Group facebook page, I have a post on there currently. I'm chasing a few orders to get a larger than usual discount on RS4's, which I pass on to my customers.

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Luke · Postby **Luke** » Thu Jun 18, 2020 6:58 pm

For track days Hankook RS4.

Don't bother with any R-Spec for just track days.
It will cost you more than 3 times as much $$$ when you factor in the wear rate which will be double or even 3 times as fast.
Only required when chasing times.

Number 1 Nankang AR-1 tyre hater here.
Hands down the worst R-Spec I have used.
In fact the only R-Spec I have used that I would not recommend.