Tyres for my 1st Track day

[dr_blackman]

Hello all,

I'm doing my 1st track day at Castle combe later this month. My question is tyres as i've sorted brakes and suspension.

I've got standard 15's and running Falkerns all round... i'd say there budget one's but not overly bad for the road.

The fronts are like new and the rears have about 2mm or so from the legal bumps in the grooves

I'm getting 4 wheel alignment done this weekend(hopefully) but what you recon about the tyres? Its an all day track day too.... will i kill the rears? I will need to drive home on them?

Guess the question is would you replace the rear tyres or you think they will last.... its my 1st track day so bit worried lol


Cheers,

Dave.

[Bender Unit]

Combe is a smooth circuit but tyre wear is also dictated by suspension / driving style.

I recently did a day at Colerne which is quite abrasive and despite soft tyres notice little to no wear.

Front tyres will take more of a battering than rears unless your on the lock stops on a few corners. If they are lookign thin and might not last a day then its worth replacing them as it will only ruin your day if its cut short due to tyres!

[Rogue]

Which Falkens are they? Here are some pictures of a set of ZE512s after a single trackday at Silverstone:

http://www.roguemotorsport.com/images/misc/ze512/

Tyres were brand new on the car. I would strongly recommend a second set of rims with some proper track tyres on them - Toyo R888s in standard sizes work incredibly well on the MR2. You'll get an awful lot more enjoyment out of the day and won't compromise your driving worrying about tyre wear.

Patrick

[dr_blackman]

Yeah there ZE512's are these budget one's? lol

Oh dear, is combe kind on tyres then?

[Rogue]

Totally unsuitable for track use I'm afraid - one of the worse tyres I've yet to experience. Two of them dismounted the rims on my car during an off at Snetterton! The sidewalls might as well be made of damp cardboard.

[dr_blackman]

Balls, I was afraid of this... what the toyo tr1's like?

Like I said this is a one off track day R888's probably would only last the day all round wouldn't they?

oh and thanks for the replys

Dave.

[dr_blackman]

What sort of prices would I expect from the R888's medium compound?

£404 I got quoted from Camskill standard sizes sent to me is that good?.... but i'd need them fitted and alignment as just fitted koni suspension.

Do you sell the tyres Patrick?

Dave.

[jmachling]

You could try a step up to the Falken 452s - I used a set on a concrete airfield day which did 130 miles on track and were fine afterwards. Not too expensive either.

[dr_blackman]

I can't see them listed for the stock sizes though? 15's?

Really limited on the stock rims ain't we?

[dr_blackman]

What are R888's like if the tracks wet though? My track day is mid april lol?

Dave.

[dr_blackman]

Just to let you peeps no, I ordered some Toyo R888's in the medium compound from Camskill which should be here tomorrow ready for my track day at the end of the week!

Dave.

[megatart]

Ya could try the Hankook RS2's. They seem to get good track day reviews from what i've read. Bit cheaper than the 888's too.

[Rogue]

£404 I got quoted from Camskill standard sizes sent to me is that good?.... but i'd need them fitted and alignment as just fitted koni suspension.

Do you sell the tyres Patrick?

We do, but only in standard sizes, and only to registered competitors in the MR2 Championship I'm afraid...

http://mr2championship.freeforums.org/m ... -t312.html

As the controlled tyre supplier we get an nice subsidy that we pass on to the competitor.

What are R888's like if the tracks wet though? My track day is mid april lol?

Suprisingly good! When we switched to R888s last year, everyone was concerned that they would wear quickly and be rubbish in the wet. We we're all suprised (and relieved!) on both counts. They're great in anything but standing water, and any tyre is going to struggle with that!

Patrick

[dr_blackman]

Hey Patrick,

Thats cool mate, i've sorted them anyway now All fitted R888's for £343 which isn't bad at all!

Just hope its not too wet now

Thanks for the advice!

Dave.

[HighwayStar]

How did this go? Just interested to hear.

R.

[cartledge_uk]

I had a Falcon pop off the rim at 90mph round a corner resulting in this



Change the tyres

[System-G]

Good choice with the R888's. Great in the dry and not too bad in the wet

Treat Combe with respect. Especially Quarry as there is zero run-off. As you're doing a full day (I assume it's sessioned because of number limits due to noise restrictions etc...), use the first couple of sessions to get to know your way arround and take your time exploring the limits of the car and yourself. It would be a shame to put your car ito the tyres at Quarry in your first sessions.

Also treat Camp with some respect. It's fast and if you get it horribly wrong, the concrete wall of the pit lane awaits you.

Other than that it's a great circuit and you will enjoy