Track tires: advice needed
 

What brand of tires (only to be used on the track) will give me the best bang for the buck on 17" wheels? Slicks or tread depth.........advice.......etc..... greatly appreciated.

I have raced on Avons, Hoosiers and Dunlops. All are awesome slicks. Best bang for the buck? Generally they will be close in price so I don't think you will find that price is a main driver of your decision. Sizing may be a factor as different brands offer slightly different size options. Also, the type of track driving you will be doing will determine the decision. Will you be on a 4 mile road course with long straights or a tight turny short course. There is no perfect answer as to what race tire to get. You will probably be happy with whatever you get and will need to experiment with your car and the tracks you drive to determine the best fit. Just make sure that you start with the size tire that makes the most sense for your particular car.

You can go to Sasco
http://www.sascosports.com/products/index.php

or Roger Kraus
http://www.rogerkrausracing.com/tires.shtml

They will both have good options and be able to help you select the best tire to your specific needs.

With that said, if you want some better bang for the buck you could go with a DOT race tire like Hoosier R6, Hoosier A6, or the new BF Goodrich G-Force R1. These are all great tires. They will be a better back for the buck because they are cheaper to start with and will also last a bit longer. At around $400 per slick and maybe 3 days of driving out of them can really add up. The DOT slicks will cost about $100-$150 less per tire and last twice as long. They won't be quite as grippy but they are pretty nice. Again, it all depends on the purpose of the tire and your particular situation.

Maybe part of the question is I need 17" tires. I think selecting 15" tires seems easier, but I have a fresh set of 17" wheels I want to use.
Thanks

17" should not be a problem. Go to the Dunlop section at Sasco and select GT Tires. Avon and Hoosier 17" are available too depending on your diameter and width needs. Just ask Roger Kraus to help you with the size needs.

If you want to go with DOT track tires go to The Tire Rack in the DOT Competition section.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/types/comp.jsp

Most of these tires are great if you can stop short of a full slick. Prices and size options are pretty good too. I have driven on the Pirelli Corsas, Yokohama Advan A048, and Hoosier R6 and have heard great things about the BF Goodrich G-Force R1. The Michelin Pilot Sport Cups are supposed to be great too although I hear they may not last as long when hot. You will have a ton of 17" options with many of these tires. I would say that the Hoosier R6s may be your best bet for track use. Many size options in 17", pretty close to a full slick, and very reliable quality. Lately this has been my primary track tire and I have been very satisfied.

Thank Rich!

My pleasure. Best of luck with it.

Have you changed the suspension for track racing?
 

JBCOBRA JB have you changed to suspension for track racing. With a sticky tire you are going to need more spring, multi control shock for dampening and rebound, larger sway bars, and most important, MORE safety ideas for you and the car. Driver suit,roll cage, race seat, 5 point seat belt harness, and fire bottle. I went from 15" tires (BFG's) to 17" pilots, same road course and went 3 seconds faster without any other change. The car handles alot different. 15" tires slide and you can feel the lost of tire grip in your butt. 17" Pilots better grip with 2 problems, the suspension for the street is not up to the racetrack speed and no warning when the 17" tires loose grip. You need to get your car wieght set and balanced with you in it. about 47% front to 53% rear. Ask the guys that race your car type and see what they changed for track racing. My car plows bad with the 17" tires, with the 15" it would slide and not plow first. This will save you alot of problems in the long run. I am going with 2 different shock and spring combo between street and track. It take's 20 minutes to change over. Rick Lake

Rick - you running IRS? I just started tracking mine. I have 9 inch rear and I installed a large anti-sway bar on front last year, have not fabbed one for rear yet. I am thinking of going with some dual dampening Aldens on the rear with heavier springs (I have the single rebound right now). What are you running. I am running 17" Goodyear F-1s (my street tires) and they did all right, but am looking a some specific road course tires also.

not to hijack.......but Rich........where can I get the BFG R1? I called tirerack a bit ago....and they have no idea when it is coming out.....must be someone else that has them......and also...do they workwell on streets? I want to exchange the Bfg Radial t/a's......for the R1's. thanks
fred z

Superformance 1176

Fred,

They just came out recently so maybe you checked prior to the Tire Rack having them. I did get mine from the Tire Rack. There are limited sizes since they just came out but they are available now. Very nice tire. Here is the Tire Rack link.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....del=g-Force+R1

As for the street. They are totally fine on dry streets but if you are likely to get caught in the rain then I would make another choice.

Rich

The best track tire I have used so far is the Kuhmo 710. More predictable and more grip than the Michelin Cup.

Another vote for the Khumo's.

I have a set of BFG T/A KDW's for sale cheap, 17"