Nurburgring tyre advice
Discussion
I'm off to the ring in July for a couple of days (1st timer) and obviously I'd like my tyres to last, so I'm not going to use road tyres because they'll last about 5 minutes. So I was wondering if anyone could offer me advice on a good road legal track tyre... preferably cheap. FYI the car's not the ideal track car, it's a 1999 A4 1.8T Quattro. Tyre size is 224/45/17. Any advice welcome.
Edited by Mikey-S on Wednesday 23 January 11:17
Hi.
Believe me, as a first timer you won't get any benefit from track tyres because you won't be lapping near fast enough. Just fit a good high performance road tyre that works well in the wet like Bridgestone S03.
Take your time learning the lines rather than worrying about speed and look for the painted turn in and apex marks on the curbing as they are (mostly) in the right place.
Believe me, as a first timer you won't get any benefit from track tyres because you won't be lapping near fast enough. Just fit a good high performance road tyre that works well in the wet like Bridgestone S03.
Take your time learning the lines rather than worrying about speed and look for the painted turn in and apex marks on the curbing as they are (mostly) in the right place.
You'll have no problems with your current road tyres. The Ring is very gentle on tyres and you drive it very differently to UK circuits. You'll have some scrubbing but, believe me, your tyres will last more than a single Ring trip. Don't bother with any circuit-based rubber and don't worry about being able to drive home again - you'll be fine. Unless you drive like Keke Rosberg or some such!
Mikey-S said:
I'm off to the ring in July for a couple of days (1st timer) and obviously I'd like my tyres to last, so I'm not going to use road tyres because they'll last about 5 minutes. So I was wondering if anyone could offer me advice on a good road legal track tyre... preferably cheap. FYI the car's not the ideal track car, it's a 1999 A4 1.8T Quattro. Tyre size is 224/45/17. Any advice welcome.
Just the tyre. Only comes in that one size. Bridgestone RE070. Subaru spec c tyres. Under £100 each and very fine tyre for the job. You can get themat www.elitegarages.co.ukEdited by Mikey-S on Wednesday 23 January 11:17
Was at the 'Ring in November, and was on Michelin Pilot Sports... not the more trackday oriented Cups. Glad I was on good road rubber and not trackday tyres, as I came nowhere near their limits, in, admittedly, pretty poor weather. Too busy learning the track .... and looking in my mirrors! As everyone seems to be saying, first time over there, treat it like a really fast B road, with no one coming the other way and come home with your pride and joy intact. Enjoy yourself, it's an amazing place.
Cheers
Cheers
I'd always go for standard tyres rather than R888's or something. 90% of your ring trip will be road anyway..!
As has been said, the Ring is pretty easy on tyres. I already had 15k on my Bridgestones and hardly noticed any wear difference at all, despite several laps and a 1300 miles round trip.
As has been said, the Ring is pretty easy on tyres. I already had 15k on my Bridgestones and hardly noticed any wear difference at all, despite several laps and a 1300 miles round trip.
A friend went to the ring for two days in 1998 driving a UR 20v Quattro, he had almost new tyres when he went and when he came back his tyres were like slicks, they even had the steel exposed in places, that's why I'm concerned about tyre wear. Obviously you guys have been there and if you reckon it's an easy track for tyre wear then that's good enough for me, thanks for the advice. PS, my friend drives like a complete nutter on the track.. that's probably why.
I bet his rears were just fine 
As others have said, due to the nature of the ring a good road tyre is a far better choice than a track tyre. After all, you wouldn't want to drive all that way only to have it ruined by a heavy shower.
As people have already mentioned, Bridgestones S03 or Michelin Pilot sports are some of the more suited road tyres to track work. If you can find them, S02s are about as good as it gets.
As others have said, due to the nature of the ring a good road tyre is a far better choice than a track tyre. After all, you wouldn't want to drive all that way only to have it ruined by a heavy shower.
As people have already mentioned, Bridgestones S03 or Michelin Pilot sports are some of the more suited road tyres to track work. If you can find them, S02s are about as good as it gets.
Don't worry. You'll be fine on a decent set of road tyres. Lots of different type of asphalt, lots of weather changes you're a NOOB to the Ring! Keep your eye on pressures though (measure when hot) and don't exceed 2,3 bar. Let of pressure when needed.
Like the others said: treat it like a really nice B-road without oncoming traffic, watch your mirrors and don't be a hero. Enjoy it while it's there: it's amazing!
Like the others said: treat it like a really nice B-road without oncoming traffic, watch your mirrors and don't be a hero. Enjoy it while it's there: it's amazing!
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