What are the best road tyres for track use?

[thesurfbus]

I have a 1969 TVR Vixen that I am taking on a trackday at Knockhill in June.
I need to get some new tyres for the car but there is a severe lack of track tyres available in the size I require.
The wheels are 5.5"x15" and the original tyres are 165/15's, I have been using 185/65/15's and I know that 195/65/15's will fit.
The only track tyres that I can find are Kumho Ecstas in 185/70/15's, and for that reason I was wondering if anyone can recommend a suitable road tyre in the size I require.
Ideally I will get some 7"x15" rims with 205/60/15's, but looking for the cheapest alternative just now.

Thanks

Doug

[GC8]

What about 195/50/15s? Theyll perk it up a bit and itll brake a touch better too...

[thesurfbus]

195/50/15's are 576mm diameter compared to the original tyres which are 645mm diameter, and while it would improve the acceleration, it looks plain daft in the wheel arches, and would lower the ground clearance (of an already low car) too much. So still looking at getting tyres with a bigger profile.

Doug

[speedychrissie]

i would be looking at the 195/55/15 tyres. you can get yoko a048 or toyo R888 tyres in those sizes for about £100 each. They are both extreme tyres designed for the track but road legal. I would be very wary of using them in the wet if there was any chance of standing water though.

according to this site:

http://www.carbibles.com/tire_bible_pg2.html

the 195/55 tyres will drop the car by 1.3cm compared to the 185/65 ones.

hope that helps

[_Neal_]

If you're after a cheap solution I'd be going for decent-quality, non "longlife" road tyres rather than track-only rubber, especially if you plan to upgrade shortly anyway.

Personally I'd be looking at something like a Toyo Proxes CF1 - sure, it's not sporty, but it's decent quality, is available in the sizes you need, and won't break the bank.

Based on the 4-5 track outings I've had (all in road cars) it's the soft fleshy bit behind the wheel that tends to be the limiting factor anyway

[GC8]

thesurfbus said:

195/50/15's are 576mm diameter compared to the original tyres which are 645mm diameter, and while it would improve the acceleration, it looks plain daft in the wheel arches, and would lower the ground clearance (of an already low car) too much. So still looking at getting tyres with a bigger profile.

Doug

Doug; at 2am I hadnt even considered the ground clearance

[mmm-five]

There's a Kumho V70A, and a Dunlop D83J in 185/70r15 at £94 and £104 weach respectively on the Camskill website.

However, the cheapest option for a track day will be something like Toyo CF1 in 185/65v15 for about £46 each or in 195/65v15 for £41 each.

Edited by mmm-five on Friday 8th May 20:37

[thesurfbus]

I did look at the V70As and also the Toyo CF1s, I have used Toyo Proxes on a 205 track car and they were excellent in the wet, I might buy the CF1s for road use, and look out for a set of wheels and track tyres in the future.

Thanks for all the responses.

Doug

[thesurfbus]

Does anyone know if a 205/60/15 tyre would fit on a 5.5" rim or is that pushing it? I have read about people fitting 205's on TR6 rims which are 5.5". I have 205 tyres on my Phoenix which has 6" rims and they are fine. But what about 5.5"?

Doug

[speedychrissie]

205s are ok on 5.5 wheels but that is the upper limit.

[funnyimpreza]

thesurfbus said:

Does anyone know if a 205/60/15 tyre would fit on a 5.5" rim or is that pushing it? I have read about people fitting 205's on TR6 rims which are 5.5". I have 205 tyres on my Phoenix which has 6" rims and they are fine. But what about 5.5"?

Doug

I've just fitted a set of 205/60 15"s onto my BMW coupe...I know its not TVR but I thought I'd try Michelin sports on the back for traction and Pirelli P6000's (not PZero due to credit crunch LoL) for handling. I swear around corners it feels faster and more controlled than wider 17" Alpinas I normally run also it slides excellent when wanted...and didn't cost too much to be honest. I don't regret doing it one single bit! For a track I'd consider something like this.

[funnyimpreza]

thesurfbus said:

Does anyone know if a 205/60/15 tyre would fit on a 5.5" rim or is that pushing it? I have read about people fitting 205's on TR6 rims which are 5.5". I have 205 tyres on my Phoenix which has 6" rims and they are fine. But what about 5.5"?

Doug

I've just fitted a set of 205/60 15"s onto my BMW coupe...I know its not TVR but I thought I'd try Michelin sports on the back for traction and Pirelli P6000's (not PZero due to credit crunch LoL) for handling. I swear around corners it feels faster and more controlled than wider 17" Alpinas I normally run also it slides excellent when wanted...and didn't cost too much to be honest. I don't regret doing it one single bit! For a track I'd consider something like this.

[s3fella]

Toyo R888?? Even the T1R would be pretty good!