^^^ any updates? how is the RE01R's on your setup? i'm kinda confused dave, on the first page you say that you are not running a staggerd setup for autox, but on this page you say that you are running the 03-05 track wheels which our obviously different widths 8-8.5. i'm assuming you are just running the same tire on both widths? I should be getting a set of 03-05 track wheels early next month and I'll be doing the same as you, wanting a good set of street tires so I can drive to the track and back without having a trailer.

Didn't mean to confuse you - the tires are not staggered. Wheel size really doesn't mean much especially since there is only a ½" difference.

I haven't gotten the RE-01s yet but from what I saw at the recent Divisional event, they are pretty popular and seem to have performed very well. I'm waiting until after June 1st to buy them. There is a rebate offer in the current SCCA magazine for $100 off a set of them but it doesn't kick in until 6/1/08.

cool thanks, I noticed that on tire rack it says for the 265/45/18 the rim width range is 9-10.5, wouldn't mounting that be a problem on a 8" rim? wouldn't that also bulge out and cause excess rollover? or would you want that for a better contact patch? sorry for all the questions, just trying to understand and learn.

265s are fine on 8"-8.5" rims. I've mounted 275s on 8" rims before without issues.

what tires do you use buddy...

- J

I've got two sets for the track: Toyo RA-1s (245/40/18) & Hankook Z211s (275/40/17).

Actually, if you look at the guys who were running the Z at the nationals, they were running 285's on 18" wheels.

I've been mentally running this debate for the last couple of weeks - is it better to have wide tires without optimal sidewall configuration or narrow tires with idea sidewall config? Some people have told me that the idea is to go as wide as possible (bulging sidewalls) to get the most traction. Others have said it's better to go with the smaller width to get the flat sidewall as it handles better. On a tight course, the smaller tire would seem to handle better. Open an open course, you'd want the extra traction for the higher speeds.

With the RE-01s, there's not a whole lot of difference as the choice would be between 255/35/18 or 265/35/18.

bump for more input. good thread.

i agree w/ dmoffitt.

tire: michelin ps2
size: 255/35/18 front and 275/35/18 rear
wheels: enkei gtc-01
pressure: 38 psi (hot)
wear rate: 3 track events/1 autox - lots of meat left (85%).
mods: not much (intake, exhaust, springs, shocks)
positive reviews: probably one of the best street tires! grips well and feels good. also tried toyo t1rs and falken 452s on the track, but does not compare.
negative reviews: EXPENSIVE!!! :icon14:

At Summit Point (Main) last month I ran:

2006 Z Track.
Car: 100% stock except fluids.
Brakes: OEM Brembo. OEM pads.
Wheels: Stock Rays 5 spoke (GT wheels I think, not sure).
Wear Rate: Didn't measure. Not sure when they were put on the car. Bought it 2 mo ago.

FRONT:
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A
245 40 18

REAR:
Bridgestone Potenza RE050A
265 35 19

Review: I thought these tires were very nice at SP. After reading this thread I realize I have too much air in them (44-45 psi hot).

These tires were awfully interesting once it started to rain and even more so once it started to sleet. Once it started to snow, well, it was time to pack up.

The tires look to be in great shape still. I'll have the wheels off this weekend most likely so I'll take a better look, but I like this tire thus far. Keep in mind, I run in Green and am a rookie in cars at HPDEs. Karts on the other hand... ;)

+1 of this tire. I wanted the MX's again, but they were not available. I have to say I am glad. Excellent on dry and wet pavement (1 day was a rain day)!

+2. Potenza 050A is a great tire. I've had mine since my last post to this thread, and they still look new!!! 140 treadwear is a very conservative rating for these Bridgestones. Next, I'm going to try the Pole Position versions, but these just keep on going so that won't be for a long while.

i got a set of 050A's as replacememnts for my feathers.
i had about a days work of tracking and a couple of auto-x's with no chunking. they did ball up pretty good though. for a summer light trackday tire they aren't that bad. they just get noisy at about 8/10's of their limit. they dont' overheat too bad either.
overall good tire.:driving:

Sorry to go a bit off topic, but what is everybody running as far as wheels (xx by xx +xx) and tire sizes (xx/xx/xx)? I'm looking at 17's, but may consider 18's in order to clear a BBK in the future. Just about to start tracking :)

They suck on the street - they'll be worse on a track.

For the RT615s, you must keep the tire pressure at 39psi or lower...

My favorites:
RT615s
RE-01R
Mich PS2
BS S03 (if you can find them)

RT615s are hard to beat for bang-for-buck for your 255/40/17 application. The RE01Rs will probably be a bit faster, but you'll pay for it. I love, love, LOVE the PS2s, but they are costly to replace.

If anyone likes the Bridgestone RE050A Pole Position you should definitely check out the Sumitomo HTR ZIII.

TireRack rated it better than the RE050A PP's and it's MUCH cheaper. Lots of tire sizes to select from too.

http://www.rightfootdown.com/?p=37

Oh yeah, I read that too, but that test was on the Pole Positions, not the regular 050A http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=101. Same tread design and everything, but I can't figure out what the difference is other than a slight price increase for the regular 050A. Hmm.. why would the Pole Position be cheaper? Is it because it is not an OEM tire? Other cars with 050A OEM tires: MX-5, BMW 335, Tacoma X-Runner... There is something about the 050A that is great, or else I don't think auto manufacturers would spec it out so often, especially if it was not a cheap tire.

I wonder how well the HTR ZIII will hold tire pressure. I have the same air in my 050A since I got them. Each time I check my tire pressures (every Saturday morning before pulling out of the garage) they remain where I set them: @ 36 psi. That really says something about the quality of these tires.

track wheel/tire sizes?
 

Hey guys, this may be a noob question. But I'm looking into recommendations on a track wheel/tire setup. Not looking for brands or what type to buy, but sizes.

I'm looking at either 17" or 18" wheels. I currently have 17x8 ASA's, so I may keep those but it depends on if I can clear a BBK in the future

Thinking of the following:

17x8's all around (current)
Tire size: unknown

OR

17x8.5 +?? FR
17x9.5 +?? RR
Tire Size: unknown

OR

18x8.5 +20 FR 245/40/18
18x9.5 +20 RR 275/40/18

OR

18X9.5 +?? FR 255/40/18
18X10.5 +?? RR 285/40/18 or 295/35/18

Sorry, this is all new to me. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!