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[john970]

I am looking at getting a dedicated set of racing wheels/tires after nearly destroying my stock tires last weekend at the track. And recommendations? They don't need to be road legal, I was thinking Hoosier slicks.

Alternatively what would be the closest thing to a track tire that is still road legal?

The stock tires had good grip, but if I'm going to trash a set I might as well trash a set built for the track.

[Jaymz]

A little off track, but how do you find the active steering on the track? You would need decent tyres to get the feel back wouldn't you?

[WAY]

Slicks? I wouldn't recommend it. We don't have dry sump and with such high g-force, you risk destroying your engine. Or do you mean semi-slicks?

[natedog_1959]

Hoosiers aren't going to have that much more traction than the R888's you are looking to run. There are multiple 135's running slicks at the track. It would take a seriously long sweeper to suck all the oil out of the pan and kill the engine. If you are looking for something with more traction and substantially lower cost than the stock run-flats, I would look at the top autocross tires. RE-O1R's, Z1 Star Spec, RT-615's, etc. You should be able to get 3-5 track days out of a set of these tires and still run them on the road if you wanted to. Nate

[white911]

How much track time do you have? If you have a lot of track time, you could go with the Hoos. If not, I recommend a more communicative track tire, if a track tire at all. If you want a great, very grippy street tire, it is hard to beat the Michelin Pilot Sport (not the Sport Cup). The problem with the Hoosier and the Pilot Sport Cup is that they heat cycle out relatively quickly and the departure characteristics are more abrupt.

There are at least two entry level track tires that generate high levels of grip, and less abrupt departure characteristics. Toyo R888 and BFG R1. I would not drive an autocross tire on a race track. They are designed to achieve operating temperature too quickly to last very long on the track.

We like our drivers to begin on street tires. This allows them to learn to listen to what the car is telling them at lower speeds and in turn provide a better opportunity to learn. Many sanctioning bodies do not allow DOT-R tires in beginner run groups - Audi Club, some PCA regions, TrackDaze, etc.,

[nordique14]

If you do look at the R888, also look at the Nitto NT01. Very similar tire. It is cheaper and has some sizes not available in the R888.

http://www.nittotire.com/functions/t....asp?tire=NT01

[imported_Dan]

I used tne Toyo R888 at both Mosport and Watkins Glen. They performed very well in both hot sunny days and in the rain. Good rain characteristics is more important to me due to the volitale weather in the Nort-East.

[WAY]

You guys are all talking about semi-slicks there, not slicks. Or is the terminology different in North America. Over here, R888, Pilot Sport Cup etc are semi-slicks. Slicks are grooveless race tyres and will generate such high g-forces that you will be left with no oil in the pan. I am not sure if the OP is asking about semi-slicks or slicks...

[white911]

Way --

A couple of things -- he asked about slicks, but some use the term for Hoosier R6 or G-Force R1, both DOT R tires are legal; but, unsuitable for road use particularly in the rain. The 888 and the RA1 are also DOT R that meet his somewhere in the middle since his question was somewhat confusing.

Originally Posted by john970

I am looking at getting a dedicated set of racing wheels/tires after nearly destroying my stock tires last weekend at the track. And recommendations? They don't need to be road legal, I was thinking Hoosier slicks.

Alternatively what would be the closest thing to a track tire that is still road legal?

The stock tires had good grip, but if I'm going to trash a set I might as well trash a set built for the track.

Some have mentioned autocross tires; but, he specifically mentioned track and I believe this means he wants tires for track days, not autocross.

Also, there are a few clubs and BMW club is one of them that strongly discourage or don't allow DOT R tires in novice groups.

[axoid]

I’ve tracked Kumho V710s at Mid-Ohio and after a 20 minute session they were cooler than after 6 autocross runs.

If you want r-comps and are still worried about over heating, try Hooser R6s (instead of A6s), Kumho Virtoracers or maybe Nitto’s comp tire.

[pkcormier]

I use Kumho v700 R compound tires and they are a great value for the money. I have Breyton GTS-R wheels and 245x35x18 on all four corners. I mount them at home and drive them to the track and back.