Hpde tire

[Boondocker850]

What’s everyone’s thoughts on tire choice for a hpde tire? Something that will have decent grip but will be consistent with lots of heat cycles? I’m basically just looking for a good bang for the buck to run on the track.

[Mick]

Sounds like you want a Nitto NT-01 or a Toyo RA-1. Both are similar compounds. The Nittos have more meat in the tread pattern and tend to run a little wider when compared to the same size Toyo.

The Toyo RR is quicker than those two, although not so much so to be worth the higher wear rate.

[joncowen]

Falken Azenis RT615K+

[beatus]

the falken above or hankook RS4. Bonus points is they both mostly work in the went, at least better than a NT01 or RA-1.

Potential new contender is the new continental extreme contact force, but you'll be one of the first to use it if you get it. Supposed to be targeting RS4 wear but better pace (not as fast as the fastest 200 tread wears though).

probably the best resource around on this: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/artic ... ers-guide/

[TroyV]

So to be clear, your desire to win in the TT is superseded by tire durability, or is this a separate requirement?

[962porsche]

so much comes into play with tires and what will work for you.
a few of our track cars are basically the same cars and they perform differently on the same tires and the same tires will not last the same way.
because my wife and I go to the tracks at least once a week and we both drive and having 9 cars we will track we go thru about 15 sets of tires between all our cars in one season.
our cars except one that uses a full slick tires use from R7's to 220 tread ware. take both our STI's a 2016 limited and a 2018 STI type RA you would think both cars would like the same tires but they don't at all. both cars have the same alignments and are basically the same cars but perform differently on the same tires and the same tires will not last the same on either car.
this is the same way with both our NA Miata's the 92 and 93.
tires tests are great reads the the magazines do but in reality you have to take what they have to say about tires with a grain of salt.
test tires on say a mid engine rear drive McLaren doing five 1 minute autocross runs and then tell people what's good and bad just doesn't mean anything to anyone if your 1st not driving a McLaren and also just doing auto crosses.
also different drivers and driving styles has a big affect on how your tires will perform.
things like wheel size also plays a roll on what tires work or don't on your car.
years ago at Thompson running my 93 miata using Dunlop star specs in the 1st two run sessions of the day I had used up and then corded them running on a 14"x 6 stock wheel. so I then swapped the wheels to the new sticker star specs 15" x 7 and the next two run sessions of the day the car was almost 2 seconds a lap slower. at no time were any of my lap times as fast as they were with the 14's. the 14's on the star specs I could get about 10 days on the tires before the times would drop off with the 15's I could get longer tire life up to about 15 track days. after the 15 inch star specs were shot I tried the NT05's and my times when back to what they were with the 14" wheels.
what all this comes down to is you need to try different tires to see what's the best for you.

[Boondocker850]

So to be clear, your desire to win in the TT is superseded by tire durability, or is this a separate requirement?

I’m after durability. I’m running rs for the tt I just want something that will last. My ao52s were great for consistency but after 4 sessions at club they delaminated on the left side.

[962porsche]

you corded the A052's how did they cord and where did they cord?
on the inside or outside of the tire?
we used to run the Cup 2's on the STI it was a love hate tire for us. very fast but don't last! at a track like lime rock we could get 4 track days dual driving the car. at palmer and NHMS one day. what it came down to was setup.
I installed Whiteline camber bolts and got more adjustment added 3/4 degree neg camber for palmer and NHMS and no more cording.
we had the cup 2's shaved and this solved the cording and we got more life out of the tire but at a cost. we switched to the Falken RT615's no more cording no more costly shaving just as fast and last.
a friend runs the cup 2's on his Porsche and has no problems at all another friend runs them on his vest and loves them he too has no problem with them.

[Boondocker850]

So I went with the rt660 which I was told was the new 615+. Now just to figure out what pressure to run

[beatus]

So I went with the rt660 which I was told was the new 615+. Now just to figure out what pressure to run

660s are great, but they're not a 615+. they don't wear nearly as well as the 615s and are much more competitive pace wise with the other top 200 tread wears.

[962porsche]

So I went with the rt660 which I was told was the new 615+. Now just to figure out what pressure to run

I'm sure you know this?
with a 200 TW and under the 1st starting point to figure out when pressures you use to start is for every 100 LBS of your cars wight you put in 1 LB of air pressure cold starting pressures.
from there you use a tire pyrometer ( not one of the inferred point temp gauge. ) the ones you stick into the tires.
all tires will have a operating temp they like best and you take lap times.