R Compound Tires for a Track Newbie?

jmustang

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2021
Posts
29
Reaction score
4
I just recently started getting into HPDE and am loving it! I currently have mismatched tires on my supercharged 2006 GT.

Rear tires are Toyo R888r's and have tons of grip. Front tires are Michelin PS4S and with this setup I understeer like crazy. My questions is what tire should I be running as novice? I plan on tracking the car 3-5 times a year (gone 2x already).

I love the grip the R compound Toyos provide, it's hard to hook up 450whp and they do a good job at putting the power down. But they don't do so well when it's raining on track.

The PS4S makes more sense from a $ standpoint as they last much longer, but I'm worried they won't have the performance I'm looking for. I have no idea how they behave on when put on all four corners though.
 

LarryJM

Resident Fuktard
Joined
Jul 15, 2018
Posts
1,008
Reaction score
151
One of the complaints of Achillies tires is they will only last about 10 laps on a drift course. Tires twice as much last twice as long. I had a friend who did short paved track about the size of the football field. Each lap was 1/4 mile. Cars ran one at a time for 10 laps. Fastest of the day wins. He changed tires once a month. Raybestos has an article about changing Brakes Rotors and Tires every track day. Money is never an object with these guys.
 

Juice

forum member
Joined
Aug 24, 2017
Posts
4,622
Reaction score
1,904
Unfortunately, you will need to figure out what you like, feel wise.
The R888R's are pretty good, I prefer the NT 01s over the Toyos (real close though). I have run Hoosier and Hankook slicks, and those have more grip.
Falken Azenis 615k is also a good option.
Do you run in the rain? Something else to keep in mind.
Once my 888s are done, Im going with another set of NT01s.
Keep the same tire brand and tyle on all 4 corners.
 

jmustang

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2021
Posts
29
Reaction score
4
It's hard to avoid running in the rain. I plan track days sometimes a month in advance, the weather is a total roll of the dice at that point. Unless it's a torrential downpour I need to get my money's worth! Might be worth investing in a second set of rims, one for the michellins and one for the Toyos.
 

Juice

forum member
Joined
Aug 24, 2017
Posts
4,622
Reaction score
1,904
I have not tried the 888s or the NT01s in the rain. And now my 888s are too worn to run them in rain. The Falkens work well in the rain and dry.
 

Norm Peterson

corner barstool sitter
Joined
Feb 5, 2011
Posts
3,615
Reaction score
316
Location
RIP - You will be missed
I just recently started getting into HPDE and am loving it! I currently have mismatched tires on my supercharged 2006 GT.

Rear tires are Toyo R888r's and have tons of grip. Front tires are Michelin PS4S and with this setup I understeer like crazy. My questions is what tire should I be running as novice? I plan on tracking the car 3-5 times a year (gone 2x already).

I love the grip the R compound Toyos provide, it's hard to hook up 450whp and they do a good job at putting the power down. But they don't do so well when it's raining on track.

The PS4S makes more sense from a $ standpoint as they last much longer, but I'm worried they won't have the performance I'm looking for. I have no idea how they behave on when put on all four corners though.
Supercharged or not, your early HPDE time should be spent on tires more like the PS4S. Big grip tends to hide driving mistakes, and right now it's the driver that needs the most work. HPDE is about so much more than the tires' ability to 'hook'.

Honestly, I'd stay away from R-compound tires until you're running in the advanced group. Meanwhile, work on you and let the performance come as it will.

Learning fine throttle modulation is going to be particularly important with forced induction, and with an understeerish tire combination you're probably getting away with using too much throttle too soon in the dry.


Norm
 

jmustang

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2021
Posts
29
Reaction score
4
Supercharged or not, your early HPDE time should be spent on tires more like the PS4S. Big grip tends to hide driving mistakes, and right now it's the driver that needs the most work. HPDE is about so much more than the tires' ability to 'hook'.

Honestly, I'd stay away from R-compound tires until you're running in the advanced group. Meanwhile, work on you and let the performance come as it will.

Learning fine throttle modulation is going to be particularly important with forced induction, and with an understeerish tire combination you're probably getting away with using too much throttle too soon in the dry.


Norm

Just ordered some PS4S for the rear. Going to shelve the R888Rs for the future. By the time I’m advanced enough I figure I’ll just have a second set of rims for the R compounds that are track only.

Thanks for the input!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

LRS197

forum member
Joined
Mar 25, 2015
Posts
21
Reaction score
4
Location
Little Rock
Good advice. If the Toyos are pretty new put them in bags and store where it stays cool but at least not a hot place.
 

Vorshlag-Fair

Official Site Vendor
Official Vendor
Joined
Nov 12, 2010
Posts
1,592
Reaction score
107
Location
Dallas, TX
Norm has good advice here - new HPDE drivers should be driving on proper street tires, 200-300 treadwear. These tires tend to work in wider slip angle ranges, and give lots of AUDIBLE feedback. R-compounds or slicks have higher grip levels and can sneak up on you quietly at the limit, without as much warning before they break away. The higher grip levels can also mask bad driving habits.

i-StDkrzr-S.jpg
i-CxhR7wC-S.jpg


As an instructor at HPDE events I get a lot of questions from first time track drivers about car prep. I tell most of them to get good brake fluid in the car (Motul or SRF or any other 600°F DOT3/4 fluid) and go do an event. If / when you get fast enough, you might need better brake pads to stave off brake fade, then maybe some front camber adjustment to lessen front tire wear. Your instructor will let you know when.

P7A_7874-L.jpg


If you are lucky and your instructor drives a similar type of car, ask for a ride-along in one of their DE sessions... you will learn more then than you ever thought possible.

Cheers!
 

Latest posts

Support us!

Support Us - Become A Supporting Member Today!

Click Here For Details

Sponsor Links

Banner image
Back
Top