What tires are recommended for the track?

[Specracer]

Has the original poster elaborated on their experience level?

I would say that ALL tires on the track in a GT are fun.

After that, I would say building from the OEM tire, the Bridgestone, takes things further.

But for the track, I have to lean toward a real dedicated track tire. The only downside of a dot slick to me is cost. I feel all skill levels could benefit. Required, nope, but could benefit.

The issue with a street tire on the track is the full tread, and the tendency for the tire to overheat and wear quickly (remember Tires used to be shaved, before the crop of ultra street tires like PSSS?). So as the ability of the driver increases, sessions are longer, the tire gives up quicker.

As Indygt points out, the track fundimentals are FAR more important than the equipment, if your at the beginning of your tracking experience. But if an advanced user, no substitute for a true track tire (Hoosier). When you get moving, they will still only last a day. Don't forget brake pads, and fluid..... My choice has become padgid yellow, and castrol SRF.

 

[Fordcarsforfun]

A lot of great information I think I'll wear out the OE Tires then try a set of hoosiers.

Sent from my SM-G928V using Tapatalk

 

[Specracer]

The OEM ferodo pads are pretty good, but don't forget to bleed and upgrade the fluid.

 

[fjpikul]

AND the clutch fluid with a good bleed.

 

[BlackICE]

Too bad Hoosier stop making as regular production the rear sized tires. I think they are a great match for all uses if you don't drive in the rain.

 

[bonehead]

Too bad Hoosier stop making as regular production the rear sized tires. I think they are a great match for all uses if you don't drive in the rain.

I still have a set of unused rears that I've been waiting to use. Not sure it's a good idea with the Houston weather of late...

 

[Ed Sims]

I have not had stickier tires "let go" more than other tires. I have raced & open tracked with all kinds of tires. On my GT I had run Goodyear G19 slicks for a while. They didn't warm up as quick on the track like the Hoosiers. Hoosiers get up to temp fast & make for a far safer track experience. I have found the Hoosiers after 2500 track miles & over 50K road miles to be very predictable. I have not had them "let go" or "spin with alacrity". Hoosiers are actually the opposite of this. I think the guys on this thread bad mouthing Hoosiers have never personally used them & are relying on antedotal info.

Ed

PS I love this type of juicy thread. Keep it going guys!

 

[PeteK]

I have not had stickier tires "let go" more than other tires. I have raced & open tracked with all kinds of tires. On my GT I had run Goodyear G19 slicks for a while. They didn't warm up as quick on the track like the Hoosiers. Hoosiers get up to temp fast & make for a far safer track experience. I have found the Hoosiers after 2500 track miles & over 50K road miles to be very predictable. I have not had them "let go" or "spin with alacrity". Hoosiers are actually the opposite of this. I think the guys on this thread bad mouthing Hoosiers have never personally used them & are relying on antedotal info.

Ed

PS I love this type of juicy thread. Keep it going guys!

Lemme 'splain what I meant about stickier tires "letting go faster." Stickier tires, by definition will keep their grip at higher G forces, so they won't slide sooner than less sticky tires. But, in my experience driving Porsches at the track, street tires will start to slide out at lower G forces, but do so more gradually than a racing slick. In my experience, slicks will grip at higher G's but when they do start to slide, they do not give as much warning, and they go from sticking to sliding more abruptly. That behavior is in part due to the presence or lack of tread blocks, which will deform and squirm under higher cornering forces, giving the driver more warning of impending loss of grip, and easing the transition from gripping to sliding. Street tires have tread blocks, whereas, "slicks" obviously do not.

All that said, I have not driven a FGT with Hoosiers on the track--my assessment is based mostly on Porsches with Yoko's and 'stones. Maybe the FGT/Hoosier combo has magical properties…

Whatever, use up the tires you already have, then go the the local drive-in and do burnouts until the cord is showing! Then buy new tires.

 

[BlackICE]

I still have a set of unused rears that I've been waiting to use. Not sure it's a good idea with the Houston weather of late...

Since I live in CA the rain is pretty predicable. Almost zero chance of rain from May to Nov. and at other times the weather report gives you a fair chance. If I lived in Hilo or anywhere else where showers can come at any time it wouldn't be a good choice. That said, Hoosiers grip better in the rain that my Goodyears did with hail! Driving a less than 5 mph through a hail covered gas station it was like driving on top of ball bearings.

As for Houston of late, I would leave the car parked inside of a garage on high ground!

 

[BlackICE]

Lemme 'splain what I meant about stickier tires "letting go faster." Stickier tires, by definition will keep their grip at higher G forces, so they won't slide sooner than less sticky tires. But, in my experience driving Porsches at the track, street tires will start to slide out at lower G forces, but do so more gradually than a racing slick. In my experience, slicks will grip at higher G's but when they do start to slide, they do not give as much warning, and they go from sticking to sliding more abruptly. That behavior is in part due to the presence or lack of tread blocks, which will deform and squirm under higher cornering forces, giving the driver more warning of impending loss of grip, and easing the transition from gripping to sliding. Street tires have tread blocks, whereas, "slicks" obviously do not.

All that said, I have not driven a FGT with Hoosiers on the track--my assessment is based mostly on Porsches with Yoko's and 'stones. Maybe the FGT/Hoosier combo has magical properties…

Whatever, use up the tires you already have, then go the the local drive-in and do burnouts until the cord is showing! Then buy new tires.

The OEM GY are very predictable breakaway characteristics. So IMO driving them on the track at a slower speed than Hoosiers would be safe without surprises. I never drove my Hoosiers on a road course so I don't know about what they do at the limits, but I have to believe they are OK as many use them with good reviews. I have driving BFGR track tires on the track on another car and compared to the OEM GY it was way better, better grip and much more predictable. They broke away without any surprises, you can easily 4 wheel drift the car around turns. The GY would hop sideways at much slower cornering speed and scare the $hit out of me!

 

[Specracer]

The Hoosiers on a gt do not give up in a snap style, they are just like a "normal" street tire, hold to max grip, then give a slow slide. They do fall off as they wear, but I have found it manageable. I don't have anywhere near the seat time in the GT as Ed, but I've pushed the GT in a fairly spirited way. I too was using Hoosiers for a while on the street, did get cought in the rain once. I switched back to b stones for the street, as last couple sets of Hoosiers were done after tracking. A small thing, bridgestones kick up fewer rocks. I have a second set of wheels that I have the Hoosiers on. Cords are showing on the fronts, so if we have another track day at a rally, will have to get new ones.

 

[Ed Sims]

You are correct Pete: Hoosiers, the GT & an open track equals magic!

Ed

 

[BIGFOOT]

I have a second set of wheels that I have the Hoosiers on. Cords are showing on the fronts, so if we have another track day at a rally, will have to get new ones.

Don't forget that the R7 came out last year and made the R6 essentially obsolete because of age and now availability. Two different compounds.

 

[Specracer]

Yes I've only run the r6

 

[BtwoG]

A few other considerations:
Tires with tread provide far more audible feedback (tires squealing) as the tread blocks vibrate. The tire squeal often occurs well before the car begins to slide significantly, and in my experience is a great learning tool for new HPDE drivers.
On the flip side, tires with tread tend to build up more heat (again due to the movement of the tread blocks) than slicks and can lose traction and feel greasy near the end of a session. This shouldn't be an issue for beginning drivers who are not likely to push the tires to the limits.
I'd stick with street tires until you have a half dozen weekends under your belt.
Also, I'd keep away from autocross style tires, like the Hoosier A6, as those lose traction after just a few laps. They seem to be the hot ticket for Time Trials, but for enjoying time at the track, stick with something like an R6/7.