62 replies to this topic

[D3YMO]

Well ive just purchased the TD 1.2's out of the group buy and need some tyres... Wheels: TD 1.2 Front - 20 offset / 7x16 Rear - 20 offset / 7.5x17 What tyre best suite my needs: SC Stage 2 Occasional Track Day Weekend Hooner Uprated suspension and Gaz's Am i right in thinking i need 195/50/16 front and 225/45/17 rear? I was inclined to fit some semi-slick type ready for the summer as i have winter wheels, whats everyones opinion on this?

[mbes2]

AD08s

[Whiteboy]

As you are just using it for fun dry days, it has to be 888's or AD08's. Steve

[Bumblebee]

R1r's although you can't get them in a 195 50 but you can get them in a 205/45 or 205/50 these are what I'm planning on going for

[Gedi]

I'd go with whiteboy and say Toyo R888. They're really amazing for track days, amazing on dry roads, good on on damp/wet roads, dangerous in heavy rain and the snow

[techieboy]

I'll give the opposite advice.

Don't bother with R888's or A048's unless the bulk of your driving is on track. They're wasted on the road. They're expensive, the tread is too shallow to start with, the compound is soft and wears too quickly for the road and certainly in the case of the R888's, they make a god awful noise on the road, which sounds like a wheel bearing on it's way out.

If 90% of your driving is on the road and you fancy something reasonably sticky with some track'abaility, get Toyo R1-R's (not T1R's), Yoko AD08's or Federal RSR's. They're a bit cheaper than the cut slicks, have a 2-3mm more tread depth to start with, have reasonable wear rates and they've got a vaguely useful tread pattern that can actually cope with rain and standing water. They're also good on track and offer 90% of the performance of the "trackday specials".

I've got 3 sets of wheels. One lot with R888's on, one with KU31's on and the final set with R1-R's on. I've given up on the KU31's and only swap to the R888's when I'm doing a trackday that I'm reasonably certain is going to be dry. The rest of the time, the car lives on the R1-R's. If I'm away for 3/4/5 days at a distant trackday, I'll stick with the R1-R's just so the car can cope with a tricky journey there or back.

Fine, I might ultimately sacrifice half a second a lap but frankly who cares.

[Gedi]

I guess he didn't give enough info. I'll confirm what I meant so as not to avoid two totally different opinions

D3, when you say you already have 'winter wheels' does this mean you're looking for dry weather / track tyres? I got the feeling you'd only be switching to the 1.2 on suitable occasions like track days. If you're going to be driving in the wet, then the R1-R's are definitely a better option.

[D3YMO]

seems like pretty sound advise...thanks techie... if there R1-R's arent avaliable in 195/50/16 is aimy right in saying the 205/45 or 205/50 would be the only options...and if you were choosing out of the 2 which is going to be best for optimal handling? and gedi...i may on occasion be out on a crap day...so i would like if i get caught in heavy rain on my journeys to not get myself in trouble...the winter wheels i have will be on when it gets cold around nov - mar times, these have the standard bridgestones the 1.2s will be my alloy of choice if i can help it

[Gedi]

Most people are running 205/45 on the front without any issues. Even the guys who have it low 205/45/16 and 225/45/17

[D3YMO]

im running around 128 front and 130 rear atm (with standard turbo alloys), although this will probably be taken down a few mm when putting the 16s on the front

Edited by D3YMO, 31 January 2013 - 12:08 PM.

[Bumblebee]

I'm currently running 205/45/16 and 225/45/17 with no probs

[techieboy]

Most people are running 205/45 on the front without any issues. Even the guys who have it low
205/45/16 and 225/45/17

Yep. 205/45 R1-R's up front, on mine. 115F/120R ride height as well with no issues.

[Bumblebee]

Tyre/wheel calculator here http://www.willtheyfit.com/

[D3YMO]

Thanks guys, much appreciated... If you have any links to where i can get them for the best price etc then please post em or PM me

[Gedi]

ebay, or if you prefer something more retail based, camskill

[rob999]

Trust me, you won't enjoy getting caught in torrential rain with 888's that are just above the wear markers. Sound (non-grumpy!) advice above.

[techieboy]

[techieboy]

There's a 12% discount code for Toyo's from Camskill in the Premium members section, IIRC. Not sure if it's still active or whether it covers both R888 and R1R's but if that's now invalid, there's probably a similar one via SELOC (you'll need to be a member though). The other option is to try and get some of the newly sized Avon trackday tyres that they've made available for the various Lotus racing series, this year. They'll have a 195/50 16 option but it may well just be another cut slick of the R888/A048 ilk.

[D3YMO]

ill try the tried and tested versions first lol... and thanks again, ill have a look in the Prem members section now

[SteveA]

.so i would like if i get caught in heavy rain on my journeys to not get myself in trouble...the winter wheels i have will be on when it gets cold around nov - mar times, these have the standard bridgestones

Just so you are not worried, on the way home from 2011's national I was on almost bald r888's and it absolutely pored it down. I was terified driving in those conditions (Stage 3 VXT) but as long as you are careful with your inputs they will not kill you.

In answer to the original question I'd advise you to go with AD08's all day. A great tyre both on track (once worn down a little) and off. As mentioned they may knock a few seconds off your laps but you will still be faster than 99% of other track day cars. (if you drive well that is )

Edited by SteveA, 31 January 2013 - 12:29 PM.