I have a 05 MCS which I am getting back into track days with.

I have done the basics - Coilovers, RARB, Bigger brakes etc, now I am looking at new tires

I'm running the std 16" wheels and 205 / 50 / 16 Indy 500 tyres with 5mm spacers, which I kind of like for their stealth look.

I'm restricted to 120 Treadwear and above, so my options seen to be

Federal 595rsr 205 / 45 / 16
Yokohama AD08rs 205 / 55 / 16
Bridgestone RE71-rs 205 / 50 / 16
Nangkang NR-2r either 205 45/ 16 or 205 /55 /16

At my local track I am hitting the limiter at the top of two of the straights in 3rd and 4th, so this makes me think maybe the slightly larger 205/55's may help, but the larger sidewall may be a bigger disadvantage to cornering.


Any opinions or advice most welcome

 

how long are your sessions? re71r are the best for grip by far out of that list, but they will overheat for me on a longer session, I'm having to back off with 2-3 laps left on a 20 min session

I prefer hankook RS4 for HPDE, they take a lap to warm up but they do not turn to snot like the re71 does. RE71 is a slightly faster tire, and really grips when cold the rs4 needs some heat in them. But the price the re71 pays for that is much worse tire wear and they overheat. RE71 is an autocross tire that's why the work from cold, they get used in TT where you only go out and try to get in a hot lap real quick and then pit

 

I run 205/55-15 (RE71R), and 215/45-17 (ZII). The RE71 are probably better at precision and handling than the ZIIs. I know it is not a direct size comparison to what you looking at (205/50s vs 205/55s), but I had the same concern going from the ZIIs to the smaller RE71Rs. I was pleasantly surprised with the smaller setup. As for the RE71Rs getting squirrelly during a long session, I found this goes away if I keep the hot pressure below 39psi. The ZIIs are longer lasting, though.

 

I try to keep mine around 35psi hot, at our harsh on tire track (CMP) they get hot and really greasy after 15 min, NCCAR will do it too due to the length of the 'peanut' turn, high G for that long really gets them hot

 

Hankook RS4. Had them last year. Better than the Dunlop Star Specs I had before. They last longer than RE-71R and Rivals over the course of the season and deal better with heat cycling.

 

Anyone run the Nexen SUR4 or SUR4G on the track? There seems to be only a few reviews on TireRack, but they all seen to be favorable.

 

Since Nitto NT01's don't come in your size, my vote goes to the RE71R's in 205/55x16. For the money and the performance, they just can't be beat. I've run them in hot, cold, wet and dry and, after 500 or so track miles, they hardly look worn. A good, smooth track and dialed-in suspension helps.