HPDE Tire Advice
 

I'm looking from some advice from more seasoned experts here regarding tires for HPDE events. I apologize if this is in the wrong forum or has been discussed before. I tried to search it but had no luck.

My car is a 2000 986s. It was bought to be a dedicated fun car for HPDE track events. Currently, it is bone stock, but I need some new tires and thought this might be a good time to upgrade to something more track worthy. I plan to upgrade other components of the car eventually (my next two projects are seats/ harnesses and shocks), but I need some new tires before the next event. I have the 18" turbo twists. After some minor research, I decided I would get the hankook rs3's, but unfortunately, those have been discontinued. Many of the other tires ive seen don't seem to fit the stock sizes on the 18's.

As far as my skill level, I have a handful of events under my belt. One of those being one of the coolest weekends of my life- the Indianapolis motor speedway with MORPCA :).

So, basically, I'm looking for tire recommendations for a 986s that is dedicated to track use with 18" turbo twists. Given the dedicated use of this car, Id prefer a track tire or high performance summer tire.

Thanks in advance for your help!
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The new Hankook R-S4 comes in the stock 18" Boxster sizes :) They would not be ideal for winter, but according to this months Grassroots motorsports tire test, it is an ideal HPDE tire, heat resistant and long wearing.

The R-S3 is a great choice but if not available take a look at the Yokohama Neova AD08, Michelin Pilot Super Sport, Dunlop Direzza ZII or the Bridgestone RE-11.

i'm on the nitto nt01 on 18" wheels and it gets me to/from the track and does well at the track. i used to run the yoko ad08; it looks cool and is super sticky, but struggles to last a 20 minute session before getting greasy - better as an autocross tire, or with a less hamfisted driver.

I drove home on some NT-01 after my last track day on them, boy they are noisy :) they sure do stick though!

The Nitto NT01s are fantastic tires. Great grip, tolerate heat, and last a long time. The only downside is if it rains (and you have to drive home). The Bridgestone RE71R are the autocross 200 tread wear go to tire.

Sounds like as a student you're excelling better than most :cheers: Honestly i would stick w/ street/summer tires until you become an advanced/solo student. This will make you become extremely disciplined in tire dynamics and handling characteristics and temp/pressure etc.

Good luck and careful of the slippery slope which seems to be grabbing hold of you most expeditiously... Welcome to the madness! :)

What size nitto nt01 do you guys run on the backs with 18s? I don't see them in a 265/35 zr18

I've been recommended Federal 595 RS-R tires by my local PCA chief instructor and shop owner... apparently they are an amazing value and I am thinking of going with those on my next set very soon (after using RS3s). Keep in mind these are R comps, so they might put more stress on your oiling system on high g load turns... I have 10 DE events on my RS3s, and probably 2 more to go. Great tire.

If you will be mainly running on the track and want street tires, Bridgestone Re-71r's hands down.
You will need to upgrade your suspension if you want to go for track tires and then driving back home could be iffy depending on weather.

R-S4's are a good choice, but they are a tiny bit slower than the Re-71's. They do last much better than the Re-71's

Also, get 17" wheels. Tires are much less $$ in 17"

YMMV

nt01 for me

245/40 front 275/35 rear on 8.5 and 10" wheels. dunno your wheel widths but you may have to research max tire width and offset.

Important to note (at least on my car with a Hankook R-S3 v1 in that size), 245/40/18 won't fit on the front with the OEM struts, you need coilovers like PSS9 or KSport (that have a narower spring and lower spring perch); otherwise the tire is too tall and hits the lower spring perch and it would take a huge amount of spacers to resolve.

Are you running the stock 18" turbo twist rims?

my current rears are 265/35. Forgive my tire ignorance, but can I run 275/35?

i am on aftermarket OZ rims. Uncertain what the widths/offsets are on your turbo twists, so not sure if 275 will fit.