Track only Tyres? Normal tyres destroyed on track?

[torqueofthedevil]

If I buy some track tyres for my mk1 mx5 should I get track Tyres such as R888's or A048's?

Reasons for: I went to Cadwell in a Gti-6 on T1-r's and the rubber was literally peeling off. Doubt would last more than 2 trackdays. Admittedly it was very very hot summers day but still, if i went to the expense of getting a set of more normal, yet fast road / track focused tyres such as AD08's I want them to last so maybe the more hardcore tyres like 888 or A048 would be better. Also the extra grip would be interesting as never used this type of tyre before.

Against: more expensive,, maybe can't enjoy getting the back end out as easily?, bad in wet.

Edited by torqueofthedevil on Tuesday 4th December 19:34

[HustleRussell]

You can use r888s, A048s etc etc on the road.
Trackday use won't melt normal road tyres though.

[Rgm racer]

torqueofthedevil said:

If I buy some track tyres for my mk1 mx5 should I get track Tyres such as R888's or A048's?

Reasons for: I went to Cadwell in a Gti-6 on T1-r's and the rubber was literally peeling off. Doubt would last more than 2 trackdays. Admittedly it was very very hot summers day but still, if i went to the expense of getting a set of more normal, yet fast road / track focused tyres such as AD08's I want them to last so maybe the more hardcore tyres like 888 or A048 would be better. Also the extra grip would be interesting as never used this type of tyre before.

Against: more expensive,, maybe can't enjoy getting the back end out as easily?, bad in wet.

Edited by torqueofthedevil on Tuesday 4th December 19:34

Road tyres are "ok" on the track if you don't over heat them. Wear wise they will improve as they wear down [tread blocks smaller] along with the rubber hardening through the heat cycles. In terms of grip though, yes a r888 or ao48 will be a much more suitable tyre in terms of compound, tread, sidewall stiffness etc.

They are fine on the road but just be sensible in wet [certainly very wet] conditions as they won't get rid of water like a decent road tyre.

[davepoth]

Depends on whether you want to go fast, or go sideways. Hard rubber will withstand sliding a lot better than track tyres, but will have a lot less grip.

tl;dr- Wanlis all round and drive like you're on ice.

[spyderman8]

Have a look at the Toyo Proxes R1R - this is a track day tyre using one of the R888 compounds but with a better tread patten for safer road use (in the wet).

http://www.toyo.co.uk/tire/pattern/proxes-r1r

[TDIfurby]

I did about 60 laps of Cadwell park on Parada Spec 2 on Sunday. Didn't put on track wheels because it was so cold. I barely took any tread of them to be honest. The only time I have seen significant tyre wear on track was on an airfield day, but then airfield concrete is really aggressive on rubber.

[JQ]

Never had a problem with Michelin PE2's on my 260bhp Mk1 MX5 on trackdays. If you want a compromise Federal RSR's get the best reviews by MX5 owners and are highly recommended by Roddison Motorsport and Mazda on Track.

[Trev450]

An MX5 is hardly a heavy weight. You shouldn't be destroying tyres like you've described. TBF T1R's are a budget tyre and consequently no better than average. If you were to fit a good quality set of road tyres such as Michelin Pilot Sports or Goodyear F1 Assymetrics, you would find a marked difference.

[Evangelion]

On our MX-5 track car we've done a day at Landow, a day at Keevil (airfield!), two days at Blyton and at least half a dozen days at Coombe, and the BF Goodrich G-Force 2's we fitted aren't even starting to look worn yet.

[Clark3y]

I find AD08 to be a fantastic compromise tyre for my daily driver come trackday car. Last ages, I've put nearly 10k on mine now, including 7 track days. Fairly well mannered on the road and fantastic on track, there is a decent gap between them and the full trackday type stuff like A048/R888 though in terms of outright grip level.

[dotty]

Clark3y said:

I find AD08 to be a fantastic compromise tyre for my daily driver come trackday car. Last ages, I've put nearly 10k on mine now, including 7 track days. Fairly well mannered on the road and fantastic on track, there is a decent gap between them and the full trackday type stuff like A048/R888 though in terms of outright grip level.

Me too, looking for another set to buy at the moment it proving more than difficult...

No where has them in stock in my size! (215/45/17 87W)

[JordanVXR]

Personally this time of year I always tend to use road tyres on track and you get a litle more give than with track tyres especially when trying to achieve temperatures.
I used Yokohame Parada Spec 2's for silverstone recently and they were used for roughly 40 laps with no Deg at all. I did change to my 595 RSR's later in the day but I was struggling for 3 laps.

I guess it comes down to driving style and the track conditions on the day :-)

[George mk3]

JQ said:

Never had a problem with Michelin PE2's on my 260bhp Mk1 MX5 on trackdays. If you want a compromise Federal RSR's get the best reviews by MX5 owners and are highly recommended by Roddison Motorsport and Mazda on Track.

I have used the PE2's on track on my mx5 and for a road tyre i'm very impressed with them. Only had an issue with them getting too hot at Anglesey, but i believe this has a harsher surface than some other tracks I've used?

I will be getting some RSRs soon to try as they look a good compromise between a road and "full on" track tyre like a r888. A lot better VFM aswel.

[Porkie]

George mk3 said:

I will be getting some RSRs soon to try as they look a good compromise between a road and "full on" track tyre like a r888. A lot better VFM aswel.

Just put a set of these on my Clio. heard nothing but good things about them and apparently they can really clear standing water. I've never had a problem with 888's and been using them on lots of cars for years and years but I had a couple of REALLY scary moments driving over to Ring and Spa in october when it was really hammering down and there was huge amounts of standing water. I felt really uncomfortable in my Clio and my mate in my Lotus actually pulled off the motorway in the end. It was that bad.

Another friend on RSRs was flying along no problem and he said they were about 80% as good on track as an 888 as well. 888's arent the bargain they once were either....

and hearing that new 888's wont be E marked soon and therefore not road legal? is this true?

I have one set of new ones E marked 888's for Clio and one set for Lotus in stock just in case. Might be worth more than I paid lol!

[shim]

We run road tyres in the ma5da championship, and if we didn't shave them they would last all year.

You will have a little more weight in your car but still road tyres will be fine.

[Rob e30]

i have a set of 888 for sale like new the advert is on here there 205 50 15

[Rgm racer]

Porkie said:

Just put a set of these on my Clio. heard nothing but good things about them and apparently they can really clear standing water. I've never had a problem with 888's and been using them on lots of cars for years and years but I had a couple of REALLY scary moments driving over to Ring and Spa in october when it was really hammering down and there was huge amounts of standing water. I felt really uncomfortable in my Clio and my mate in my Lotus actually pulled off the motorway in the end. It was that bad.

Another friend on RSRs was flying along no problem and he said they were about 80% as good on track as an 888 as well. 888's arent the bargain they once were either....

and hearing that new 888's wont be E marked soon and therefore not road legal? is this true?

I have one set of new ones E marked 888's for Clio and one set for Lotus in stock just in case. Might be worth more than I paid lol!

See you use everything from full circuit type slick to rally type moulded slick to r888 to normal road tyre. Out of interest how do the two " middle ones compare in dry conditions, moulded rally type slicks verses r888s? and actually how do the rally moulded slick then fare against a full circuit slick?

[Porkie]

You can't beat a brand new proper circuit slick for grip. They just feel on another planet to anything else. Even when a year old and after a lap warming them up they just give the car and amazing feeling on sticking to the track. They aren't as fun though I don't think as a 888 or equilivent... as the car just sticks and doesnt move around and talk back as much. Also you can really feel the extra stresses on the other components of the car when using slicks.... and for a trackday where things aren't timed and its more about fun. Then I think the slicks are over the top for most cars.

I was told the Rally slicks were same construction but just had the the tread cut in them. They dont feel like that to be honest.... but I've never tried them on same car. The Rally slicks I bought new and put them on the Westy and I was expecting big things from them. The car will light the wheels up in 2nd and 3rd gear bends and go sideways even in 4th gear bends in the dry on 888's... (It needs either less power or some kinda downforce really but I dont wanna add wings!) I dont really think they grip that much more than an 888 though. I wanted to try some 245 section equivilent rears in a full circuit slick contruction but just cant find any new ones that wide in 15' wheel. So was reccomended the Rally tyres by mr tyre motorsport who I get the slicks new from for the Clio.

Thats all the spares I have left for all my cars. I have had a big clearout as I had so many sets... I have 20 used tyres on Ebay at moment and sold 20 last month! some people have had some bargains. 4 x 195/50 15 R888's with 4mm tread went for £60 for the set.

Edited by Porkie on Monday 10th December 10:47