Track tires

Joined
23 December 2024
Messages
1
All, this topic may have been covered in other threads, but I could not find it...sorry.

I'm interested in track day wheels and tires for my 2017 NSX. Specifically, a wheel/tire combo that I can change out at home, drive to the track and return home on those same "track day" wheels/tires. Based on the research that I have done, the tires of choice are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2. I'd mate these tires to a lightweight set of wheels.

Once upon a time I used to change out my S2000 wheels/tires at the track. Those were the Kumho victor racers. I'm assuming that this type of track only tire is not available for the NSX....at least not that I have found.

It would be good to get input from others who have more experience with tracking their NSX than I. Your input is appreciated.
 
All, this topic may have been covered in other threads, but I could not find it...sorry.

I'm interested in track day wheels and tires for my 2017 NSX. Specifically, a wheel/tire combo that I can change out at home, drive to the track and return home on those same "track day" wheels/tires. Based on the research that I have done, the tires of choice are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2. I'd mate these tires to a lightweight set of wheels.

Once upon a time I used to change out my S2000 wheels/tires at the track. Those were the Kumho victor racers. I'm assuming that this type of track only tire is not available for the NSX....at least not that I have found.

It would be good to get input from others who have more experience with tracking their NSX than I. Your input is appreciated.
Oddly enough the physics related to how a tire works are the for the most part independent of car. Start with a better base of knowledge to work from. This is useful, grassroots in general has a lot of useful motorsports related articles, some may be behind a paywall. https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/articles/track-tire-buyers-guide/

Start there, find a tire that meets the price/wear/performance you are looking for.

There are better options than pilot sport cups in every one of those aspects. This includes the 140tw variant, absolutely no one serious runs them. Even at the oem hot tire end its been replaced by the cup 2r.

Realistically wheel wise, for quick and easy option just find another set of oem y spokes, there isnt a lot of aftermarket options out there worth a damn, most of the people putting wheels on these cars are upsizing and running garbage tier tires, very few track. Oem f/r tire diameter is 5.5% ish larger at the rear, the car will Christmas tree if you go negative, it may Christmas tree at even, I've tried as low as about 3% and high as 10% without issue. People have made custom wheels, you'll find some reference in postings of finnspeed in particular having made wheels for one previous nc1 owner. If you are just casually tracking, keep it simple. This car can fit quite a bit more rubber than oem if you are inclined however. Considerable camber can also be added, but keep in mind thread engagement of the oem control arm bolts as you add shims, longer bolts can be sourced/made, caster will need to be corrected for if you add significant camber, this took quite awhile to track down as an issue on my end.

If you hate money the hoosier track attack pro is the new hot street tire out there. Re71rs are very close to a current high performing goldilocks, the available sizes are not great for this car, but not unworkable either if you dont mind ignoring oem specs, i bought 8 sets on older date code clearance from tire rack last fall. If you love money, usaa membership and a goodyear credit card will get you 25% off and double rebates on goodyear tires. The supercar 3 and supercar 3r are very good.
 
Last edited:
The oem Type S tire is very good imho, but my rears are now at 2/22 after only 5800 miles of just street driving.
 
All, this topic may have been covered in other threads, but I could not find it...sorry.

I'm interested in track day wheels and tires for my 2017 NSX. Specifically, a wheel/tire combo that I can change out at home, drive to the track and return home on those same "track day" wheels/tires. Based on the research that I have done, the tires of choice are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2. I'd mate these tires to a lightweight set of wheels.

Once upon a time I used to change out my S2000 wheels/tires at the track. Those were the Kumho victor racers. I'm assuming that this type of track only tire is not available for the NSX....at least not that I have found.

It would be good to get input from others who have more experience with tracking their NSX than I. Your input is appreciated.
Have you bought your track setup yet? If not I still have this set available. I think you'll find a lot more tire options moving to the 19's

 
The oem Type S tire is very good imho, but my rears are now at 2/22 after only 5800 miles of just street driving.
So after a few minutes on Tire rack and using my powers of deduction I decided to try a set of Bridgy Potenza "race", because race....and it is the oem tire for the lambo STO, the rack and various other sites rate it a good compromise track/street option. Not on car yet but looking at them in person they look more track than street esp the rear which has a pretty wide slick portion.
 
Nankang CRS v2 are what I'm currently running and like them much better than Cup 2s. A bit better in the wet, don't get as greasy as Cup 2s after a couple sessions and have lasted longer.
 
So after a few minutes on Tire rack and using my powers of deduction I decided to try a set of Bridgy Potenza "race", because race....and it is the oem tire for the lambo STO, the rack and various other sites rate it a good compromise track/street option. Not on car yet but looking at them in person they look more track than street esp the rear which has a pretty wide slick portion.
Those should be pretty good as a mixed use tire leaning toward track use.

Michelins finest ps4s (p4s? i forget which is the better one) or a conti ecs02 is probably a better day to day tire for the vast majority of people.

Keep in mind the vast majority of the 200tw market needs some heat for the grip to really turn on and that isnt happening with normal use, so you are basically suffering through all the negatives of an extreme performance tire on the street without really utilizing the benefits.
 
The Grassroots Motorsports link provided earlier has a GREAT chart comparing all track tires, but you have to scroll down and down and down and down and down and down before you discover it.

.
chart 2.jpg
 
Last edited:
I was finally able to put about 15 miles of some twisty roads...Initial thoughts, quiet tire, responsive steering feel, good grip, no squirm. They really do heat up quick, with mixed driving in 70* ambient they bumped up 5 lbs in pressure...will report back when I can get some wet driving..
 
I was finally able to put about 15 miles of some twisty roads...Initial thoughts, quiet tire, responsive steering feel, good grip, no squirm. They really do heat up quick, with mixed driving in 70* ambient they bumped up 5 lbs in pressure...will report back when I can get some wet driving..
Great news if you like them, tirerack had recently put a bunch of sizes on clearance, including the 305/30/20. As of last week they existed, may have sold through by now.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top