Track day tyre advice

[jhunter]

Hi all, I've been a pistonheads follower for years now but haven't posted that much. I need the trackday collective to offer some advice on tyres for my mk1 escort.

I used to do trackdays on falken 912/452s etc when the car was "fast road" spec. I have had it off the road for the last 2 years and finally getting near to finishing it. It's a lot more track focused now.

I am going to be running 8x15 on the front and 9x15s on the rear. What size would you go for with this?

The biggest question is have any of you experienced the federal RSRs and Toyo proxes R1Rs? They seem to be significantly cheaper than the 888r or AO48's etc but I was wondering if they will be comparatively worse? I can buy a set of 4 RSRs for around £300.00, that compares to £500 plus for the equivalent AO's. I know you get what you pay for but thats a huge difference

What do you think?

[spyderman8]

jhunter said:

The biggest question is have any of you experienced the federal RSRs and Toyo proxes R1Rs? They seem to be significantly cheaper than the 888r or AO48's etc but I was wondering if they will be comparatively worse? I can buy a set of 4 RSRs for around £300.00, that compares to £500 plus for the equivalent AO's.

Toyo tell me the R1Rs use the same compound as the (normally available) R888s, just with more tread. For that money, they look pretty attractive to me.

[Jubal]

I have RSR 595 Federal tyres on a Toyota MR2 Mk3 (~200bhp). My wheel size is narrower (15x7) but 205s have held up well. They perform very well given the price and easily outperform other track tyres in the wet. This makes them a great compromise in my book. Recommended.

[Hark]

Heard good things about RSRs from a guy who runs them on his VX. Don't last that long, but alot cheaper than R888s.

R1Rs and A048s aren't really comparable.

R1Rs are more like the AD08 just slightly less tread, and I've heard a slightly less stiff side wall.
A048 are very stiff and more like R888s.

Is it going to be used mainly on track or some road as well?

[jhunter]

The tyres and wheels I have mentioned will be track only. I have a set of 13 x 8s rims for day to day, club meets, shows etc.
thanks for the views so far chaps

[g40steve]

Why not try something totally new?

Dmack or Nangkang RS-2R for instance?

So many people just recommend the same old makes, I remember when I got a full set of R888 for £300.

When they jumped in price I jumped to some unknown makes, Hankook RS2 & after that Federal RSR.

Technology changes all the time just look around.

[D_G]

I only use Yoko 048Rs on mine, brilliant in the dry. If you are after ultimate times then use these, if not then the RSRs are a good choice. The 048Rs are also lethal on standing water, OK on a wet track with no puddles.

[scode]

When i'm tracking my exige i'll put R1Rs on if there's a decent amount of rain due otherwise 888s. In the dry 888s are clear winners. For me anyway i don't see any real difference on a damp track unless the 888s are running low on tread, but as said above standing water's the worry so if it's heavy rain R1Rs are the better bet. I've yet to do a trackday where it's poured down all day (in about 30 tdays) and on a dry track R1Rs grain badly so for track only tyres i'd say 95% of the time 888s win out over R1Rs, for me anyway

I've used 888s and RSRs on my saxo and the RSRs aren't as good, they come with more tread and look like they'd clear more water but they don;t have the grip, the compound is less sticky. I found the rate i went through 888s last summer to be costly but when i tried the RSRs the reduction in grip convinced me the money on the 888s was worth it

my experience anyway

[robmarrs]

jhunter said:

The tyres and wheels I have mentioned will be track only. I have a set of 13 x 8s rims for day to day, club meets, shows etc.
thanks for the views so far chaps

Hope you are going to lower it before the track day and fit a fly screen

Buy some second hand A048 on ebay, the last set I bought as road legal for £130, and sold them for £65 not road legal 5 track days later..... or buy some SH slicks and kill everything on the track! Just pray it does not rain in either instance, R1R's are therefore the best all rounder on that basis.

I love fast sorted escorts.

[GC8]

Federals seem to be suffering from a splitting problem...

[jhunter]

Thanks for the views and ideas...
Another question I have, does anyone run pairs of different tyre manufacturers for front and rear? Is this a sensible thing to do as I would think it would be better to have the same tread pattern all round??

I can't find some brands in the correct size for the rears, but could get the correct size for the fronts so thought I would check for general opinions?

[D_G]

Yes and no...for track use I would stick to the same front /back if possible, saying that for Autosolo I prefer a sticky front and loose rear balance on the MX-5 so I can use the throttle to set up the car round the course. I'm on AD08 front / T1R rear which seems a good combo.
It's also very noticeable the difference on the limit when I play around with the pressures on track too so you may need a bit of time getting a good balance you are comfortable with once you've decided on which brands to fit.

[spyderman8]

I would never run different makes or even types of tyres front and back, regardless of track or road. Just think of those little contact patches - the only things keeping you out of the hedge - or the opposite lane.

[g40steve]

GC8 said:

Federals seem to be suffering from a splitting problem...

Means nothing from the evidence the cracks wear away after a while.

Seen from photos from a BMW ages ago.

[turbobungle]

What you want on a MK1 Escort is R888/A048/R1R on the front and some super budget unbranded or part worns on the back . . . . . . . . and some lenient marshalls. Job done!

[fast eddys]

We do Silverstone, Federal and the new DMack. Phone for a chat if you need some advise.

Eddy

[Valve Bounce Baz]

I got some Dmack track day tyres for my 106 gti and they are amazing, planted under braking, great tyre in my opinion. I sent an email to these guy's and to be fair they got them sent out on a next day for under 6 quid, i did wait a couple day for them to get them.

http://www.jjcraceandrally.com/trackday/wheels-tyr...