Slicks / track tyres

[2BarBoost]

Hi guys

Can someone please give me some advice. Im taking delivery of a new megane 265 next week. Main reason been I think it will make a reasonable every day car but from all the reviews good on the track to.

I've purchased some alloys for but want to get a set of tyres for track days to go with them. With previous cars I've used a048s, Toyo r888s, and Dunlop dz03s and found very little between them and all very good.

What I would like to know is am I wise to stick to these range of track day/ fast road tyres or are full slicks worth stepping up to?

I've read you have to be careful warming slicks up and poor control of heat cycle can trash a set. These things never were an issue with the tyres mentioned above but would a full slick be much better. If so which ones do people suggest?

If it helps I tend to do between 2-5 track days per year in runs of 8-10 laps with a warm up and cool down lap.

Thanks jamie

[jonnyleroux]

Don't forget that some track day organisers won't permit slick tyres without a roll cage.

Jonny
BaT

[GreigM]

Just be sure that the engine is up to taking slicks - is it dry sumped?

[Terzo204]

My friend uses 595's and for 6-8 laps they are great but beyond that can overheat on a hot day. Cheap as chips though.

If you do use the Megane on track, make sure you budget for err... Pads, and lots of them!

Great cars and superb all rounder. Very quick

[Terzo204]

GreigM said:

Just be sure that the engine is up to taking slicks - is it dry sumped?

Not dry sumped

[iguana]

Dunlops the pick of that lot.

Most of us only run used slicks due to budget,vs new r tyres, price new ones up are a lot.

I don't advise slicks for most folks.

[Steve H]

Biggest selling point for slicks on trackdays in my view is just if you can pick them up as cheap part-worms.

[Wh00sher]

Steve H said:

Biggest selling point for slicks on trackdays in my view is just if you can pick them up as cheap part-worms.

I can`t find cheap 15" slicks anymore

I run used Slicks, Michelin S9B`s from Ginettas. They take longer to warm up than `R` tyres but do give a better turn-in and slightly better apex speed. In the scheme of things, I suspect a brand bew set of decent R tyres will be just as good as a used set of worn slicks that have had multiple heat cycles.

[996TT_STEVO]

I would never buy a used set of slicks without checking how many heat cycles they have been through, and even then they are more than likely shagged, a slick that's been through the mill is as bad as a road tyre.

[Steve H]

The days of 15" slicks was when Clio Cups were still using them, not a lot of cast-offs now.

Stevo, it's a bit of a lottery getting part-worns for sure, at £25 a hoop for 13"s it's worth a punt if you run a se7en I reckon, don't know how much more they are asking for bigger stuff.

[HustleRussell]

Slicks- What's the point on a trackday? Faster lap times? More time held up behind slower cars? More strain on the rest of the car? More hassle carting a second set of wheels about, and a jack?

It's not competetive, timing isn't even allowed, why put all that additional stress through the car?

[Steve H]

HustleRussell said:

Slicks- What's the point on a trackday? Faster lap times? More time held up behind slower cars? More strain on the rest of the car? More hassle carting a second set of wheels about, and a jack?

It's not competetive, timing isn't even allowed, why put all that additional stress through the car?

Steve H said:

Biggest selling point for slicks on trackdays in my view is just if you can pick them up as cheap part-worns.

HTH.

[HustleRussell]

Steve H said:

HTH.

2-5 Trackdays per year?

[mrmr96]

Steve H said:

HustleRussell said:

Slicks- What's the point on a trackday? Faster lap times? More time held up behind slower cars? More strain on the rest of the car? More hassle carting a second set of wheels about, and a jack?

It's not competetive, timing isn't even allowed, why put all that additional stress through the car?

Steve H said:

Biggest selling point for slicks on trackdays in my view is just if you can pick them up as cheap part-worns.

HTH.

Yup, and it means you don't have to worry about whether you'll be legal to drive home.

[Steve H]

HustleRussell said:

Steve H said:

HTH.

2-5 Trackdays per year?

Could do an extra one with the saving

[mmm-five]

I've used part worn tarmac rally tyres (Silverstone S585 IIRC) that I got very cheap (i.e. 17 for about £70), and they were excellent on circuit. I've also managed to bag some ex-testing Porsche Supercup P-Zero Corsa/C tyres, when they went to a different size, for a similar amount.

Although in each case, I probably spent more in petrol driving the the 120 mile round trips to pick them up.

That was a few years back now though, and I've not looked much as I've cut back on track days and just go to the 'Ring a couple of times a year instead, for a long weekend.

[Wh00sher]

996TT_STEVO said:

I would never buy a used set of slicks without checking how many heat cycles they have been through, and even then they are more than likely shagged, a slick that's been through the mill is as bad as a road tyre.

I disagree with you there.

I`ve run tyres that have had many heat cycles through them. First session they took a LOT of heating up, but after that they were OK. Certainly better than any road tyre I`ve driven on a trackday.

Why run slicks ? Well why not ? Compared to the R tyres I run, I find slicks give a nicer feel on turn-in. I don`t have to worry about carrying sets of wheels, I have a decent sized tyre rack on my trailer.

As said earlier, used slicks are no better than a new set of decent R tyres, but they aren`t much worse either and cost a LOT less, I probably pay the same for a used set of 4x R tyres or 4x slicks as a single brand new one.

[framerateuk]

I've not heard of anyone running slicks on a 250/265, but lots of guys have been running on semi slicks like the ones you mentioned with good results.

Keep in mind that the semi slicks will already be working the brakes harder, slicks might proove a bit much.

Get some better brake fluid in there and the proper track pads (lots of people using RC6, I like my RC5+ when I had them). The Megane has great btakes as standard but the fluid isn't up to the track abuse, and the OEM pads will fade a bit on track.

[TrackMegane]

Slicks will put a lot more strain on all the items connected too.

[2BarBoost]

I spoke to Avon yesterday with regards to the test they did in autocar at the start of the month where they ran a megane 265 on a set of full slicks.

For those who didn't read it the megane was around 3.5 seconds per lap quicker.

However after speaking to a chap who was involved he strongly recommends I don't use a set of slicks as he said the box etc wouldn't be up to the job. He was however happy to recommend a set of ZZR's.

I'm going to check the prices next week on DZ03s as the ZZR were £850 for a set of 4