[Z06] Nitto Invo's @ Willow Springs
01-18-2008, 05:29 PM
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: "Same as it always was"
Posts: 4,040
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nitto Invo's HPDE @ Willow Springs
First, let me say that I'm not a tire expert and this was my first track event. I have no comparisons to this tire other than my street impressions vs. the GY runflats which I've posted in the past. I love 'em on the street and on the track I was quite pleased to say the least.
When I arrived at Willow Springs @ 7:00 it was 31* and I don't think it got much warmer than 50*
My cold tire pressure was 35 lbs and the hot temps were 39lbs.
I elected to have a guest driver named Chris Kaufmann drive the first session to show me the track and the lines. In the past he has driven in the 24 hrs of Daytona, Trans Am series, Speed World Challenge and has several SCCA-AS National titles. He is an ex Bondurant Instructor and a current Barber Driving Experience instructor. He is also the PR/Motorsports Manager for Borla Industries.
After the first session we discussed the brakes, suspension and tires.
Brakes: He wasn't thrilled with the Hawk HP's.
Suspension: He felt the suspension and overall handling of the car was good, but suggested more shock stiffness in the front. I have the QA1's, they were set at 8 in the front and 10 in the rear. I bumped the fronts to 9. The Pfatty sways were at neutral and stayed there.
Tires: I asked him about the tires and he really didn't say anything about them, so I'll take that as a good.
My inexperienced impression of the tires is that they worked great for me. I didn't experience any sidewall flex issues that had me thinking I needed to slow down or were scrubbing and or causing a loss of speed. I felt extremely comfortable and in control on these tires, so much so, I didn't think about them at all. I was very impressed at the feedback they gave me, meaning that in the corners they didn't just go away if I was too hot in the corner, they would just slide a bit and then grab. In turns 3,4 and 5 I was surprised at how well they did when I thought I was going in too fast....they hung right in there.
Finally, I was more concerned with my brakes than the tires for sure. That was the only negative from the instructor. Anyway, I ordered DBA 4000 series rotors and Hawk HPS pads.
I hope this helps anyone on the fence with these tires. I'll be going to Spring Mountain in Feb. feeling REAL good about these tires and I hope the DBA slotted rotors and new Hawk HPS's increase that secure feeling
UPDATE: I elected to go with a track only pad (Carbo Tech XP12 instead of the Hawk HPS's. Impressions after Spring Mountain this weekend. )
When I arrived at Willow Springs @ 7:00 it was 31* and I don't think it got much warmer than 50*
My cold tire pressure was 35 lbs and the hot temps were 39lbs.
I elected to have a guest driver named Chris Kaufmann drive the first session to show me the track and the lines. In the past he has driven in the 24 hrs of Daytona, Trans Am series, Speed World Challenge and has several SCCA-AS National titles. He is an ex Bondurant Instructor and a current Barber Driving Experience instructor. He is also the PR/Motorsports Manager for Borla Industries.
After the first session we discussed the brakes, suspension and tires.
Brakes: He wasn't thrilled with the Hawk HP's.
Suspension: He felt the suspension and overall handling of the car was good, but suggested more shock stiffness in the front. I have the QA1's, they were set at 8 in the front and 10 in the rear. I bumped the fronts to 9. The Pfatty sways were at neutral and stayed there.
Tires: I asked him about the tires and he really didn't say anything about them, so I'll take that as a good.
My inexperienced impression of the tires is that they worked great for me. I didn't experience any sidewall flex issues that had me thinking I needed to slow down or were scrubbing and or causing a loss of speed. I felt extremely comfortable and in control on these tires, so much so, I didn't think about them at all. I was very impressed at the feedback they gave me, meaning that in the corners they didn't just go away if I was too hot in the corner, they would just slide a bit and then grab. In turns 3,4 and 5 I was surprised at how well they did when I thought I was going in too fast....they hung right in there.
Finally, I was more concerned with my brakes than the tires for sure. That was the only negative from the instructor. Anyway, I ordered DBA 4000 series rotors and Hawk HPS pads.
I hope this helps anyone on the fence with these tires. I'll be going to Spring Mountain in Feb. feeling REAL good about these tires and I hope the DBA slotted rotors and new Hawk HPS's increase that secure feeling
UPDATE: I elected to go with a track only pad (Carbo Tech XP12 instead of the Hawk HPS's. Impressions after Spring Mountain this weekend. )
Last edited by stano; 02-04-2008 at 08:24 PM.
01-18-2008, 05:56 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
First, let me say that I'm not a tire expert and this was my first track event. I have no comparisons to this tire other than my street impressions vs. the GY runflats which I've posted in the past. I love 'em on the street and on the track I was quite pleased to say the least.
When I arrived at Willow Springs @ 7:00 it was 31* and I don't think it got much warmer than 50*
My cold tire pressure was 35 lbs and the hot temps were 39lbs.
I elected to have a guest driver named Chris Kaufmann drive the first session to show me the track and the lines. In the past he has driven in the 24 hrs of Daytona, Trans Am series, Speed World Challenge and has several SCCA-AS National titles. He is an ex Bondurant Instructor and a current Barber Driving Experience instructor. He is also the PR/Motorsports Manager for Borla Industries.
After the first session we discussed the brakes, suspension and tires.
Brakes: He wasn't thrilled with the Hawk HP's.
Suspension: He felt the suspension and overall handling of the car was good, but suggested more shock stiffness in the front. I have the QA1's, they were set at 8 in the front and 10 in the rear. I bumped the fronts to 9. The Pfatty sways were at neutral and stayed there.
Tires: I asked him about the tires and he really didn't say anything about them, so I'll take that as a good.
My inexperienced impression of the tires is that they worked great for me. I didn't experience any sidewall flex issues that had me thinking I needed to slow down or were scrubbing and or causing a loss of speed. I felt extremely comfortable and in control on these tires, so much so, I didn't think about them at all. I was very impressed at the feedback they gave me, meaning that in the corners they didn't just go away if I was too hot in the corner, they would just slide a bit and then grab. In turns 3,4 and 5 I was surprised at how well they did when I thought I was going in too fast....they hung right in there.
Finally, I was more concerned with my brakes than the tires for sure. That was the only negative from the instructor. Anyway, I ordered DBA 4000 series rotors and Hawk HPS pads.
I hope this helps anyone on the fence with these tires. I'll be going to Spring Mountain in Feb. feeling REAL good about these tires and I hope the DBA slotted rotors and new Hawk HPS's increase that secure feeling
When I arrived at Willow Springs @ 7:00 it was 31* and I don't think it got much warmer than 50*
My cold tire pressure was 35 lbs and the hot temps were 39lbs.
I elected to have a guest driver named Chris Kaufmann drive the first session to show me the track and the lines. In the past he has driven in the 24 hrs of Daytona, Trans Am series, Speed World Challenge and has several SCCA-AS National titles. He is an ex Bondurant Instructor and a current Barber Driving Experience instructor. He is also the PR/Motorsports Manager for Borla Industries.
After the first session we discussed the brakes, suspension and tires.
Brakes: He wasn't thrilled with the Hawk HP's.
Suspension: He felt the suspension and overall handling of the car was good, but suggested more shock stiffness in the front. I have the QA1's, they were set at 8 in the front and 10 in the rear. I bumped the fronts to 9. The Pfatty sways were at neutral and stayed there.
Tires: I asked him about the tires and he really didn't say anything about them, so I'll take that as a good.
My inexperienced impression of the tires is that they worked great for me. I didn't experience any sidewall flex issues that had me thinking I needed to slow down or were scrubbing and or causing a loss of speed. I felt extremely comfortable and in control on these tires, so much so, I didn't think about them at all. I was very impressed at the feedback they gave me, meaning that in the corners they didn't just go away if I was too hot in the corner, they would just slide a bit and then grab. In turns 3,4 and 5 I was surprised at how well they did when I thought I was going in too fast....they hung right in there.
Finally, I was more concerned with my brakes than the tires for sure. That was the only negative from the instructor. Anyway, I ordered DBA 4000 series rotors and Hawk HPS pads.
I hope this helps anyone on the fence with these tires. I'll be going to Spring Mountain in Feb. feeling REAL good about these tires and I hope the DBA slotted rotors and new Hawk HPS's increase that secure feeling
Great news!! Finally someone has tried these tires at the track. I believe it's telling that the instructor (with his experience) mentioned other things (brakes, shock settings) as limiting factors vice the tires. Speaks volumes for their abilities for occasional HPDE.
By the way, I use the DBA rotors and HP+ pads. The HP+ pad(lette)s work well at the track, but you sound like a train stopping on the way home (and it gets worse the cooler the brakes get)
. Thanks for being the guinea pig!!!
01-18-2008, 06:08 PM
#3
Drifting
Great news!! Finally someone has tried these tires at the track. I believe it's telling that the instructor (with his experience) mentioned other things (brakes, shock settings) as limiting factors vice the tires. Speaks volumes for their abilities for occasional HPDE.
By the way, I use the DBA rotors and HP+ pads. The HP+ pad(lette)s work well at the track, but you sound like a train stopping on the way home (and it gets worse the cooler the brakes get) .
Thanks for being the guinea pig!!!
By the way, I use the DBA rotors and HP+ pads. The HP+ pad(lette)s work well at the track, but you sound like a train stopping on the way home (and it gets worse the cooler the brakes get)
. Thanks for being the guinea pig!!!
Can one of you point me to the DBA rotors you are refering to .. Thanks!!! Oh ... and are these 2piece?
01-18-2008, 06:19 PM
#5
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: "Same as it always was"
Posts: 4,040
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Great news!! Finally someone has tried these tires at the track. I believe it's telling that the instructor (with his experience) mentioned other things (brakes, shock settings) as limiting factors vice the tires. Speaks volumes for their abilities for occasional HPDE.
By the way, I use the DBA rotors and HP+ pads. The HP+ pad(lette)s work well at the track, but you sound like a train stopping on the way home (and it gets worse the cooler the brakes get) .
Thanks for being the guinea pig!!!
By the way, I use the DBA rotors and HP+ pads. The HP+ pad(lette)s work well at the track, but you sound like a train stopping on the way home (and it gets worse the cooler the brakes get)
. Thanks for being the guinea pig!!!
I too was surprised ( happily ) that there was no mention of the tires being a limiting factor. He was fast in the corners and 165 in the straightaway
oink oink
01-18-2008, 06:28 PM
#9
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: "Same as it always was"
Posts: 4,040
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DBA just came out with a 2-piece rotor ( 5000 series) for our cars @ $400+ a rotor
The DBA 4000 is a one piece same weight as stock direct replacement. TireRack told me they liked 'em over the Brembo replacements (not the BBK high end kits)
I got the rotors @ Autoanything.com The total w/Hawk HPS pads for the front were $464.86 shipped
01-18-2008, 06:35 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
Thanks for the review, I was waiting for you to come back from WSIR. I was gonna order a set, but found out that there won't be anymore until May 2008. I doubt I can wait that long, time to research into other tires.
01-18-2008, 06:37 PM
#11
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: "Same as it always was"
Posts: 4,040
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Last edited by stano; 01-20-2008 at 01:19 AM.
01-18-2008, 06:47 PM
#13
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: "Same as it always was"
Posts: 4,040
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
01-18-2008, 06:52 PM
#14
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Feb 2007
Location: Yorba Linda Calif
Posts: 936
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm upgrading to the Hawk HPS's which DBA said were a great match for their rotors. They suggested the Ferrado's (sp?) as well.
Go with Hawk DTC-70 (front) and DTC-60 (rear) I wore out a set of HPS's at Pahramp in ONE day.
Go with Hawk DTC-70 (front) and DTC-60 (rear)
I wore out a set of HPS's at Pahramp in ONE day.
01-18-2008, 07:37 PM
#15
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: "Same as it always was"
Posts: 4,040
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks!
Stan
Last edited by stano; 01-20-2008 at 01:18 AM.
01-18-2008, 08:48 PM
#17
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jan 2007
Location: SOUTHERN CALI - Most of the time California
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Congrats on your first event
This is just the beginning and it can become very addicting..
If you want to impress or have a nice serious upgrade....
Hoosier R6 tires
Coil-overs
BBK
This would provide a major advantage and confidence for the track. Be careful when you mod. If you are going to do it, do it right. Save some money in the long run.
Anyway, if you are going to the Spring Mountain event in Feb, I will see you there and give you a ride with all the major track/engine goodies on.
This is just the beginning and it can become very addicting..
If you want to impress or have a nice serious upgrade....
Hoosier R6 tires
Coil-overs
BBK
This would provide a major advantage and confidence for the track. Be careful when you mod. If you are going to do it, do it right. Save some money in the long run.
Anyway, if you are going to the Spring Mountain event in Feb, I will see you there and give you a ride with all the major track/engine goodies on.
Use Hawk Hp+ or PFC-97 or PFC-01's
01-19-2008, 12:54 AM
#19
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: "Same as it always was"
Posts: 4,040
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Congrats on your first event
This is just the beginning and it can become very addicting..
If you want to impress or have a nice serious upgrade....
Hoosier R6 tires
Coil-overs
BBK
This would provide a major advantage and confidence for the track. Be careful when you mod. If you are going to do it, do it right. Save some money in the long run.
Anyway, if you are going to the Spring Mountain event in Feb, I will see you there and give you a ride with all the major track/engine goodies on.
This is just the beginning and it can become very addicting..
If you want to impress or have a nice serious upgrade....
Hoosier R6 tires
Coil-overs
BBK
This would provide a major advantage and confidence for the track. Be careful when you mod. If you are going to do it, do it right. Save some money in the long run.
Anyway, if you are going to the Spring Mountain event in Feb, I will see you there and give you a ride with all the major track/engine goodies on.
I'm already addicted.....