track tire recommendations: 17/17

[cojones]

Wanted to get some general recommendation on a "general purpose" track tire in 17/17 sizes:

F: 215-40-17 or similar (max 225 width)
R: 275-40-17 or similar

Ideally with:
- reasonable value
- OK street tread life (will drive max of 300 miles to track event)
- good compromise of wet/dry performance (ala Yoko A032R)
- reasonably streetable (not overly loud)

Less important:
- ultimate dry traction
- weight

Yoko A032R is not available in F sizes -- 235 width rubs too much with my current suspension setup.

Any suggestions ?? TIA

 

[V12NSX]

Being faced with the same dilemma, I am currently using 205/40/17 and 245/40/17 Hoosiers. I get some understeer till the fronts warm up, then they're magic. Ideally, I would like 225's and 255's, but the sizes I need are simply unavailable in a track tire.

S.L.

 

[scott]

I am looking at the same set up of using 17's to save weight or 16-17 set up.

 

[Ponyboy]

I haven't seen the specific sizes the tire comes in yet, but Nitto has released a road race tire that is supposed to come in a huge amount of sizes. I wanna say it's the 555-R or something along those lines. I'll search for some relevent data on it.

 

[V12NSX]

Nitto 555R is a DRAG race tire. You had me all excited!

S.L.

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

Nitto is currently working on road race tires. They have 1 size available so far, with other sizes to follow soon. Since they are more toward import crowds, expect wide range of sizes. However, the quality of tires in question is still questionable.

 

[cojones]

I'll even go with a moderately narrower REAR (e.g., 265 or even 255).

At a recent track event, I noticed that a 215F / 275R tends to push heavily in the WET. Since I can't go with a much wider FRONT (due to fender rub), I'd consider a narrower Rear.

 

[cojones]

related to Hoosier track rubber, check this out:

DOT legal competition tires in jeapordy - please take action -- see http://www.hoosiertire.com/fmvsshlp.HTM

Under a new congressional act following the Firestone tire safety issue, tire makers who produce small quantities of "DOT legal" competition tires for enthusiast use may not be able to continue to, or may have to drastically increase the price of these tires in order to continue to offer them to the public.

Hoosier tire company is currently seeking to have motorsport enthusiasts submit comments for consideration through the Department of Transportation's Docket Management System.

Complete instructions on how to submit comments to the TREAD Act docket as well as a sample comment are outlined at the web URL above.

(originally posted by EDR on NSX Lists)

 

[Craig]

Andrie, or anyone else who can answer.

I am thinking of using the following setup and heard you may have some experience with this.

Front: Kumho ECSTA V700 205/45/16
Rear: Kumho Victo Racer V700 245/45/17

1. I'm afraid if I go with the Victo 255's in the rear I'll push with only ECSTA 205's in front.

2. How do you feel about mixing the two compounds front to rear?

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

Craig,

see here: http://www.nsxprime.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/004935.html

I would use 255/40/17 in the rear. The 245/45/17 is too tall. Will hurt your gearing, not to mention tirewall flex.

 

[Craig]

This sounds like a good solution... Andrie, thanks for the info, in that thread you spoke to one day of track use....have you used this set up since then?

If so, how'd it work out...

If not, please email me when you do as I am considering using this set up on July 12th at Willow Springs.

[This message has been edited by Craig (edited 30 June 2002).]

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

Yep, I used them for 2 1/2 total days, with highway mileage to and from the event of approx. 1000 miles. The half day is in damp/drizzle condition. Total miles on the track only is about 450 miles.

The fronts are corded. The rear are almost there. Got to keep in mind that the weather was very hot in the last day I used it, and I use tires faster than anybody I know that drives their NSX on the track.

Good choice, but isn't this your first time on the track? I think it will be a waste of time and money to use track tires for beginners. Most will get faster lap times with street tires as they are more used to it. Not to mention the track tires can get you in trouble really fast on turn 8 of Willow Springs. We are talking the fastest track in the west, with turn that can be taken flat out at 130 mph in the NSX.

 

[Craig]

Actually this will be my third day at Willow on the big track and my first time out in the intermediate group. But you may be right, as I am quite used to my car with street tires (Yoko A520's) and know it's limits very well this way....hmmm may stay with it.

OTOH I'm fairly confident that I know my car well enough to get used to the new set up by taking it easy while things settle in...Providing of course, you don't feel that this mixed set has any unfriendly characteristics.

 

[nsx1164]

I've heard good things about the new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tire... anyone test this yet in 17/17 sizes??

Have heard it to be superior in most measurable aspects to the Yoko A032R.

Feedback ??

 

[docjohn]

The sport cups are great tires but you won't find suitable sizes for 17/17, in a prior thread it is agreed that the only nsx sizes are 15/16.

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

Craig,

no I don't think it has any unfriendly characteristics. If you are confident, go with it. It will be fun running on R compound tires.

 

[Craig]

Thanks for the info Andrie.