Track Tyres

[tankplanker]

AdiT said:

I put a set of new R888r on this summer. In the dry it takes slightly longer to get them up to temp but they're more consistent and don't overheat/go-off as easily. Hammered them hard in very hot conditions and they just kept going, whereas the old ones would have needed a rest. They're a lot better than the old 888r in the wet; even in standing water. That said, for true wet performance go for a proper wet track tyre like Yoko' ao21 or compromise with something like Uni-royal Rainsport3. Don't expect either to work/last in the dry though.

I think I'll go down the route of AO21s as I am prepared to buy another set of rims. Are they good for lightweight (~500kg) cars? Harder wearing stuff can be difficult to get hot enough to grip as my car is so light.

V800MJH said:

How much does your car weigh mate? And what is it?

I have used R888s in the pissing down wet and they were still completely fine. I don't think anything passed me on track that day either so I wasn't going slow.

My car is pretty much bang on a a tonne with me in it.

It is a MK Indy with a Honda Fireblade engine/box. Mine weights 540kg with me and a full tank of fuel in it currently (now I've lost some weight), looking to shed another 20 to 30kg from the weight of the car before next season. If I can manage that I've shed ~50kg/10% of the combined weight from what I ran this year compared to next year.

[HustleRussell]

tankplanker said:

AdiT said:

I put a set of new R888r on this summer. In the dry it takes slightly longer to get them up to temp but they're more consistent and don't overheat/go-off as easily. Hammered them hard in very hot conditions and they just kept going, whereas the old ones would have needed a rest. They're a lot better than the old 888r in the wet; even in standing water. That said, for true wet performance go for a proper wet track tyre like Yoko' ao21 or compromise with something like Uni-royal Rainsport3. Don't expect either to work/last in the dry though.

I think I'll go down the route of AO21s as I am prepared to buy another set of rims. Are they good for lightweight (~500kg) cars? Harder wearing stuff can be difficult to get hot enough to grip as my car is so light.

V800MJH said:

How much does your car weigh mate? And what is it?

I have used R888s in the pissing down wet and they were still completely fine. I don't think anything passed me on track that day either so I wasn't going slow.

My car is pretty much bang on a a tonne with me in it.

It is a MK Indy with a Honda Fireblade engine/box. Mine weights 540kg with me and a full tank of fuel in it currently (now I've lost some weight), looking to shed another 20 to 30kg from the weight of the car before next season. If I can manage that I've shed ~50kg/10% of the combined weight from what I ran this year compared to next year.

You may be making too much of a trade-off with the A021R, as list 1B tyres go it's pretty good in the wet but it's longevity in dry circuit use is pretty poor.

The 888 is a somewhat heavy tyre but also rather stiff, Again, I'd recommend the A0048r which I know to work fantastically on Caterhams.

[tankplanker]

HustleRussell said:

You may be making too much of a trade-off with the A021R, as list 1B tyres go it's pretty good in the wet but it's longevity in dry circuit use is pretty poor.

The 888 is a somewhat heavy tyre but also rather stiff, Again, I'd recommend the A0048r which I know to work fantastically on Caterhams.

I'd be quite happy running one set with wet tyres and another with dry tyres as I can fit the spare set in my trailer and take them with me.

The A0048rs don't look to be much lighter than my Toyos, 18.8lbs vs 20lbs for the same size, I was hoping to lose a little more.

[HustleRussell]

tankplanker said:

HustleRussell said:

You may be making too much of a trade-off with the A021R, as list 1B tyres go it's pretty good in the wet but it's longevity in dry circuit use is pretty poor.

The 888 is a somewhat heavy tyre but also rather stiff, Again, I'd recommend the A0048r which I know to work fantastically on Caterhams.

I'd be quite happy running one set with wet tyres and another with dry tyres as I can fit the spare set in my trailer and take them with me.

The A0048rs don't look to be much lighter than my Toyos, 18.8lbs vs 20lbs for the same size, I was hoping to lose a little more.

Avon CR500s? Pricey but you won't find anything lighter.

[tankplanker]

HustleRussell said:

Avon CR500s? Pricey but you won't find anything lighter.

They are about 2kg lighter per wheel then my current 888s, couple that with another 2kg a wheel saved by downsizing to a lighter 13" rim and I've saved 8kg of unsprung mass, big chunk of what I wanted to save on the car! I hope they don't go off the boil too quick as they sound perfect otherwise.

[HustleRussell]

tankplanker said:

HustleRussell said:

Avon CR500s? Pricey but you won't find anything lighter.

They are about 2kg lighter per wheel then my current 888s, couple that with another 2kg a wheel saved by downsizing to a lighter 13" rim and I've saved 8kg of unsprung mass, big chunk of what I wanted to save on the car! I hope they don't go off the boil too quick as they sound perfect otherwise.

Bad news! It seems I'm a bit out of the loop. The CR500 is on it's way out, Caterham motorsport are using the new Avon ZZS instead. Not sure how the weight compares but I bet they'll be heavier

[nickfrog]

I really like my NS-2Rs - but indeed maybe because my expectations were low and that I only got the hards (180) as I use them on the road too.

Not that much more lap grip than a quality UHP road tyre BUT that grip will stay there for a VERY long time when the UHP road tyre will have given up after 3/4 hot laps.

But much more longitudinal performance than a UHP from the off, both traction and braking.

For me the killer is how decent they are in the wet (apart from puddles, obviously) and how many heat cycles they seem to take while wearing really well.

I'd love some DZ03s but can't justify 2.5 times the price and less miles...

[Furyblade_Lee]

HustleRussell said:

tankplanker said:

AdiT said:

I put a set of new R888r on this summer. In the dry it takes slightly longer to get them up to temp but they're more consistent and don't overheat/go-off as easily. Hammered them hard in very hot conditions and they just kept going, whereas the old ones would have needed a rest. They're a lot better than the old 888r in the wet; even in standing water. That said, for true wet performance go for a proper wet track tyre like Yoko' ao21 or compromise with something like Uni-royal Rainsport3. Don't expect either to work/last in the dry though.

I think I'll go down the route of AO21s as I am prepared to buy another set of rims. Are they good for lightweight (~500kg) cars? Harder wearing stuff can be difficult to get hot enough to grip as my car is so light.

V800MJH said:

How much does your car weigh mate? And what is it?

I have used R888s in the pissing down wet and they were still completely fine. I don't think anything passed me on track that day either so I wasn't going slow.

My car is pretty much bang on a a tonne with me in it.

It is a MK Indy with a Honda Fireblade engine/box. Mine weights 540kg with me and a full tank of fuel in it currently (now I've lost some weight), looking to shed another 20 to 30kg from the weight of the car before next season. If I can manage that I've shed ~50kg/10% of the combined weight from what I ran this year compared to next year.

You may be making too much of a trade-off with the A021R, as list 1B tyres go it's pretty good in the wet but it's longevity in dry circuit use is pretty poor.

The 888 is a somewhat heavy tyre but also rather stiff, Again, I'd recommend the A0048r which I know to work fantastically on Caterhams.

I adore A021 as a road / wet weather tyre when new. ( Phoenix R1, 450kgs ) On the road almost unreal grip, wet or dry. To almost ridiculous road speeds 100% superb. On a circuit like Zolder ( circa 2 minute lap ) I found worn down, shallow tread 21s only a couple of seconds slower than 48Rs at most ( same compound ) but they do litterally wear out rapidly on track when new with the decent deep treadblocks. Even on an Alps road trip with AdiT above I wore out a set on roads in just over 2000 miles....
But they have ( did have ) the same rubber compound as the 48R so when nearly bald they are still great dry trackday rubber. Get all your moneys worth out of them!!!

[IdiotRace]

Has anyone seen or used the new Advan A052, which is apparently an A048 replacement?

www.yokohama.co.uk/Tyres/Motorsports-Tyres/Track-S...

Tempted to give em a go once I wear out my AD08R's

[HustleRussell]

IdiotRace said:

Has anyone seen or used the new Advan A052, which is apparently an A048 replacement?

www.yokohama.co.uk/Tyres/Motorsports-Tyres/Track-S...

Tempted to give em a go once I wear out my AD08R's

I doubt that tyre will succeed the A048, it looks like they're aimed at different markets.

[IdiotRace]

According to tyrereviews it is
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Yokohama/Advan-A...

But yeah I'd have to agree with you I doubt it would be the same as the A048. It seems to be marketed as a street friendly track tyre? Which is confusing because I thought that would be the AD08R?

[HustleRussell]

IdiotRace said:

According to tyrereviews it is
http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Yokohama/Advan-A...

But yeah I'd have to agree with you I doubt it would be the same as the A048. It seems to be marketed as a street friendly track tyre? Which is confusing because I thought that would be the AD08R?

Perhaps the A048r will continue in sizes up to 15". The A048R in 13" is the control tyre for Caterham Grads club which is not anticipating any changes.