Where to buy slicks?

[sniff petrol]

I'm after a set of slicks for my 205 GTi track slag, they don't have to be new. I remember reading somewhere that the one's they use in the Clio cup series are the right size for standard 1.9 GTi rims. Short of going along to the last round of the championship and asking around the paddock after the last race how could I get hold of a set? Been looking on Ebay and Motorsport ads and such but with no luck yet. Also could I just get them fitted at a regular tyre fitter's or do they have a special construction that needs specialist equipment to mount them on the rims?

Apologies if this seems like a daft question, it's always obvious once you know the answer.

[iguana]

The clios used to run 15s, now its 16s, so unless you're on them you are outta luck.

They are not easy to find 2nd hand at all.

Anyone can fit em, bit tough in the winter due to the v hard sidewalls, but my tyre guys find them easier than 888s & like to leave em by the heater all day & fit em in the afternoon.

[BertBert]

new's not too bad. Find a race series that runs the size you want and find their supplier. Or just call a manufacturer (Avon, Dunlop, Matador?). Try one of the tyre suppliers such as BMTR that do motorsport tyres. try one of the track-day associated tyre suppliers (BaT have one).

Second hand, you need to find a race series with a suitable size and go along. Or look up the teams that race there and phone them up for a favour.

No real problem to fit. Most mainstream tyre places wont do it anymore especially if they are used. You need to find a friendly back-street tyre place. PLenty about though.

Bert

[WEREWOLF]

But remeber running slicks will put extra stress on other parts of the car.

[blackscooby]

WEREWOLF said:

But remeber running slicks will put extra stress on other parts of the car.

I found they put more stress on the driver !... are they warm yet ??? Oooh foooo*k no !

We got our "used" slicks from an someone who used to race in the Clio cup, he still had some 15" slicks left which had done practice sessions and never used since. Looked somewhat abused, but worked perfectly well at our last Croft outing.

Unfortunately we don't know where to go next as we bought his stock !

Thanks

Mark

Edited by blackscooby on Friday 21st September 15:02

[handpaper]

BertBert said:

Most mainstream tyre places wont do it anymore especially if they are used. You need to find a friendly back-street tyre place. Plenty about though.

Bert

Kwik-Fit et. al. won't even fit a tyre they didn't supply - got to protect their profit margin, eh?
A deserved plug here for Discount Tyres of Newport (and now Cwmbran) who slip my Camskill-bought T1-Rs on for £7 a corner.
Lots of interest the day I asked them to fit the R888s - 'Cor, wot are they, mister?'

[sniff petrol]

WEREWOLF said:

But remeber running slicks will put extra stress on other parts of the car.

Yeah but the car will only be used on track anyway so the overall mileage will be low, and will be avoiding full bore standing starts. I'm still expecting parts to wear out some 10 times quicker than on the road though.

[sniff petrol]

handpaper said:

BertBert said:

Most mainstream tyre places wont do it anymore especially if they are used. You need to find a friendly back-street tyre place. Plenty about though.

Bert

Kwik-Fit et. al. won't even fit a tyre they didn't supply - got to protect their profit margin, eh?
A deserved plug here for Discount Tyres of Newport (and now Cwmbran) who slip my Camskill-bought T1-Rs on for £7 a corner.
Lots of interest the day I asked them to fit the R888s - 'Cor, wot are they, mister?'

Already got a friendly part-worn tyre place that will fit anything to anything for £5 a wheel. Just didn't want to look an idiot by turning up with something they couldn't fit!