Interesting observations. You don't state what tires (that's tyres to you of course) you're running up front, but I suspect the mismatch is probably responsible for your performance (or lack of).
Continental Sport Contact 2 are fairly popular here in the states, the Pirellis not so much. I am a fan of the Pirellis, overall, one of the best tires out there IMHO, and will replace mine with the same next year.
