Track tire recommendations?
 

I will be going to some hpde VIR events this coming year, and wanted to stock up. What recommendations could you guys suggest? I wasn't sure running (ra1, v700, etc) would be a good idea since it would be my first time out on a track. It will be a 2 day event. Maybe i'll get to meet braineack :)

Maybe these would be a consideration?
-rs2
-es100
-khumo MX

those would be my choices, I'd add the azenis on the list and deal with the "grease"

i don't typically make it down the ViR, but I'm trying to do more events this year. (Since SP is 45mins away.)

What tires to use depends on your setup. Adding a super sticky track tire to an worn out old stock suspension is not a great idea. If you have upgraded your suspension so that it can handle it adding race rubber makes a hugh difference. But since this is your first time on the track, just make sure you go there with good street tires, well balanced and with proper thread depth.

When it is time for track tires, I recommend the RA1s. They are both really good to drive on and a cheap alternative. VIR is a LOT of fun! Hope you have a blast.

I would highly advise staying OFF race rubber for many track days. Learning the car on a normal set of "street" tires will greatly help you.

I wouldn't use the es100 or MXs, es isn't much of a track tire... was fun at MAM one year... but I ran them because I found nails in track tires :p. The MXs have a soft sidewall and are mushy on turn in, they take heat really well though.

Azenis 615s would be my choice of a great tire for traction, sidewall stiffness. The greasiness issue has gotten better by all accounts. Compared to the 215s at least.

If you don't want Azenis... the rs2 might be a nice compromise, I've never driven on them so I can't personally say. But I do remember some people using them an enjoying them.

Azenis are just my street tire of choice... they are like the super traction/budget tire.

Nick, if you cant go with the reo1rs then go with what you got (615) you will be fine mate, and let me know ahead of time when you are going...

If you're a seasoned vet use the nt-01 for the track, and consider nothing else. They last longer than any other tire as far as I know. They are the same rubber as the ra-1, but they have fatter tread blocks so they don't need shaving, and although only 6/32, the increased surface area (2/32 difference from the ra-1) means they last longer.

If you are new to this stuff, run the Azenis or RS-2 (in that order). The azenis will last longer, the rs-2 won't get as greasy. Both offer huge margins of error, and are very predictable. I learned to drive on Azenis, and although they will go off in about 4 laps in 100* heat, they are as good as it gets with a safety margin. Sometimes I think I enjoy running Azenis over the NT-01's because the drive is less stressful, and there is almost no penalty for getting the car out of shape. When the R-comps get out of shape then bite, it gets scary fast.

I killed the 2 outside Kumho MX's in 5 sessions at Hallett. I ran 34+ session on the azenis and now I'm driving them on the street.

m.net content: I've seen 4 people total cars on R-compounds when they were too green to be on such a grippy tire.

As an instructor, I have to agree with Splitime and Hustler on this one. Stay the hell away from R-compound tires till you learn how to drive on track and learn the limits of your car.

There nothing better that meeting my green/group1/1st track day student and they are in a fully prepped race car or highly prepped street car on r-comps. I cringe every time.

Street tires talk to you and let you know when you are approaching the limit. R-comps hold, hold, hold, and hold some more, then just let go without much warning at all.

R-comps also mask a lot of driving mistakes. It's easy to take a bad line on r-comps and never realize it. The street tires will audibly tell you that you are screwing up.

Pick up a set of RS2s, MXs, or Azenis. I have run Azenis on VIR many of times and they hold up great till the July-Aug timeframe when track temps are in the triple digits.

Thank you everybody who gave their input. Looks like i'll just stick with another set of azenis or run 225-45 rs2's. It looks like the rs2 tire prices jumped up $15 when compared to the azenis in the same size (must be due to gas prices and public exposure)

Dan, Im going to be setting up a local meet next month to get some local miata and friends that are interested in tracking. From there, we are going to choose as a group to decide on what track dates that would be best for everybody's schedule. I figure it would be funner when your with friends.

plus it gives you someone to cuddle with when you camp out overnight.....:gay:

SP Shenandoah is a necessity for any Miata. Trust me :D

I love morons with money stories like this one. Nothing like a virgin track day on hoosiers.
http://i16.tinypic.com/542k8dc.jpg
https://www.miataturbo.net/forum/showthread.php?t=12127

cool, just let me know in advance

Just a comment to the wisedom: WHEN it is time for track tires (when the car, but most importantly when YOU are ready) it is a fun step to make. But on your first couple of track events you will most likely be the limit for the lap times, not your car. You will have just as fun on street tires. Do not forget a proper alignment!

I remember the humbling ride with my instructor at my 1st track event.

I had my car set up for STS2 autocross, so it had a 1.6 at the time, shocks, coil overs, etc and 205 Azenis on 15x7s.

I thought I was driving the piss out of my car. In my head there was no way to go any faster. I then took a ride with my instructor in his stock 1.6 Miata that he had picked up earlier that week and threw a set of pads and 195 Azenis on. He must have run 10sec a lap faster than I did. I got out of his car after that session with my head hanging low. It was a reality check, but in the long run it made me faster. It deflated my overgroan ego and put me back into learning mode.

those are the best. ITs going to be a whole new world for me when this motor is built.

thats what i need

You are the Asian kid w/ the red miata, black flares and turbo that auto-xs w/ ccr sometime right?

Let me know when you want to go, I've got a few guy around here that would be interested also in some track time at VIR.

On a side note: Miataturbo.net track day?

i love my rs2's when its warm out but when you get some wear into them and the temp drops into the mid-low 50's watch out the grip falls off very fast.

if enough of you guys go to ViR, then I'll do it... probably drag a few other with me.

miatamania: Yes, that would be me. Have we chatted before?

I'll keep the people interested updated, a miataturbo.net trackday would be fun.