Need Auto-X tires
Posted 04-29-2009 at 03:11 PM by JerryLee987
I just started Auto-x'ing my 2008 Cayman-S, on the stock Bridgestones, and would like to know what others feel are the best tires for track days. I'm within 1 second of the fastest Corvettes but you know where I'd like to be! I've heard the Kumho V710 is a good choice, but can't seem to find them in the right sizes for the Cayman-S (265/40-18, 235/40-18). Any thoughts?
Total Comments 2
Comments
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Welcome JerryLee!
Are you running in a stock or street tire class? Are you planning to run them on a track/DE also? For a pure AX tire, I would get the Hoosier A6 if I could afford them - you can squeeze 245 Front and 275 Rear onto the stock rims, if you want to stay in stock class.
Unfortunately, there aren't really any competition tires in the 265/40-18 size, so you have to make some compromises. The V710s would be nice, but they really don't have a good choice for the rear in 18".
BTW, you might get more response by posting this type question on the regular Forums, e.g. Cayman and Boxster Competition - Planet Porsche or Cayman and Boxster Tires and Wheels or you might try doing a Search for subject like autocross tires, since there have been a number of threads on this topic previously.
The Blogs are primarily where people express themselves and relate their experiences in more of a journal format. Unfortunately, not too many members read/respond to the Blogs.
Cheers, AndrewPosted 04-29-2009 at 04:14 PM by KS-CS
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JL:
For Autocross, you want tires that warm up instantly and are as wide as rules allow for your class. For the track, you want tires that are going to hold up to high heat and side loading and be sticky at operating temp, which is much higher than an autocross. Track tires are OK for autocross, again, read the rules for your class. If you want a good track tire that isn't ungodly expensive and can be driven on the street, try Nitto NT-01s. You can get them at Discount Tire outlets. I've used them on a BMW M3 and like them a lot. If you are not racing or going for absolute quickest lap times, they are a great "R" tire, giving much more grip than non R street tires and give decent comfort for driving on the street if you are sport minded. They have a big tread that makes a little noise but nothing like those big X-tread Yokohama tires, which are LOUD. These would make kick-***, although not state of the art autocross tires as well...and they can be driven on the street without total loss of dental work.
You could probably beat the Vette with these, however, someone in another Cayman with Hoosier A6's in the 245/275 sizes would beat you.
I've used V710s before. They are pretty awkward on the street and need a bit of work to run really right on the track. For autocross, they can be a double edged sword. Can muck you up if not set up right. They aren't very pretty tires either, if you care. They do have a certain crude ugly but functiuonal appeal.
Enjoy.... Know that the Cayman will probably blow some oil if you run autocross with real sticky tires. Read about it on Planet Porsche.
-SixPosted 05-13-2009 at 03:32 PM by sixisenuff
