Track Tire Type and Width - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Acid_J · 01-10-2008, 04:08 PM

I am just about to get back into tracking my 99 boxster. I track mainly at Streets of Willow Springs (CA) and ButtonWillow (CA) so it can get pretty hot out on the track. I have previously gone with RA1's and liked them (on track specific wheels, 17"). I need to be able to drive to the tracks at the moment (unless anyone knows of a good way to transport tires on the boxster).

I am thinking of going with RA1's again but I have heard of people putting wider than stock tires on to combat understeer on the front and to get a bit more rubber on the back. What are people's thoughts on this? or thoughts on tire choice?

racer_d · 01-11-2008, 12:29 PM

For me, the RA1 is a great dual purpose tire. Feel free to use it on track or off. Perhaps just drive a bit slower in the rain

They are being phased out in favor of their new R888 tire. See their website www.toyo.com
1) You don't mention what sizes you currently use.. 205/255?
If so, I would try a 225/255 or 225/245 combo to help dial out understeer. Ihad 18"s on mine and ran a 225/275 combo. I think the 275s were too much. Either needed 245s on the front (which wouldn't fit) or 245s on the rear. Then again, I like a car that can be made to oversteer easily.

2) If you like wasting an hour or so changing tires at tn event (mmm lots of fun on hot afternoons

) you might get a small tire trailer. I have seen many over the years. They likely cost $500-800. Can tote 4 wheels and a small box (for tools, jack etc). Check out som autocross forums as they are, i think, more popular with that crowd than the track crowd.

Acid_J · 01-11-2008, 12:42 PM

Good call on the R888's. They have the 225/45-17 so I think I will go with them...and I am definitely not keen on changing tires at the track...I feel sorry for those guys at the end of a long day of driving when I am heading home!

Thanks for the info.

racer_d · 01-11-2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acid_J

I feel sorry for those guys at the end of a long day of driving when I am heading home!

I just call them Suckers

Sammy · 01-11-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racer_d

For me, the RA1 is a great dual purpose tire. Feel free to use it on track or off. Perhaps just drive a bit slower in the rain

They are being phased out in favor of their new R888 tire. See their website www.toyo.com
1) You don't mention what sizes you currently use.. 205/255?
If so, I would try a 225/255 or 225/245 combo to help dial out understeer. Ihad 18"s on mine and ran a 225/275 combo. I think the 275s were too much. Either needed 245s on the front (which wouldn't fit) or 245s on the rear. Then again, I like a car that can be made to oversteer easily.

2) If you like wasting an hour or so changing tires at tn event (mmm lots of fun on hot afternoons

) you might get a small tire trailer. I have seen many over the years. They likely cost $500-800. Can tote 4 wheels and a small box (for tools, jack etc). Check out som autocross forums as they are, i think, more popular with that crowd than the track crowd.

When you say the 245 up front wouldn't fit is this because of the wheel width being to narrow to accomodate? Or would it simply not fit in the wheel well without rubbing? I've been thinking of going 245's up front as I have 8.5" wide (17") front wheels.

Acid_J · 01-11-2008, 07:57 PM

My front 17 rims are only 7" wide so 245's would be too big...for you 245's would probably be fine. 245's are recommended for a 8-9.5" rim (on the toyo website anyway)...

986chris · 01-12-2008, 02:44 AM

? are new shaved tires better than old tires with same tread depth. i'm thinking mostly of side wall performance.

Acid_J · 01-12-2008, 10:29 AM

sorry...I can't give you an expert opinion there 986chris....I would imagine as far as grip you would probably do better with new, shaved tires but for sidewall my WAG is that it would be the same.

racer_d · 01-12-2008, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 986chris

? are new shaved tires better than old tires with same tread depth. i'm thinking mostly of side wall performance.

The reason for shaving a tire is to reduce heat build up and tread squirm. Sidewall flex is not affected by shaving a tire or not. Now, another thing to consider in an example

1) you run brand "X" all last track season.. lets say you subjected it to 40 heat cycles.
2) you get brand new set of brand "X" tires, shaved.

Which is better? Well, it is possible that brand "X" has "heat cycled" out of its useful period even though it still has useable tread. If this is the case, then the newer tire will provide better grip, simply because it hasn't been heat cycled as much.

Oh, and as someone asked before, 245s are too wide for a 7" rim. if you already have an 8-8.5" front rim (or maybe all around) 245s would fit fine. Plus you could balance out the wear by rotating tires front/rear, left/right.

catmanluge · 01-25-2008, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy

When you say the 245 up front wouldn't fit is this because of the wheel width being to narrow to accomodate? Or would it simply not fit in the wheel well without rubbing? I've been thinking of going 245's up front as I have 8.5" wide (17") front wheels.

I have 245 - 17 all around, with wheels of 8.5 front and 9 rears 5 mm spacers there is slight rubbing on inner fender wells at steering lock. Plus I am one inch lower running 2.5 degrees neg camber.