The Panther

I am headed to the track for the first time in August. I currently have Michelin AS ZPs on front and back, but the rears could use replacing. I am trying to decide if I should just buy new rear Michelin runflats or replace all 4 with less expensive non runflat tires. The fronts still have a decent amount of life left in them.

I plan on running a few events a year and the car is not my daily driver anymore. Any advice?

The Panther

I have a C5 now just to clarify.

71corv

When I started going to the HPDE's, I was using the Goodyear F1's. Didn't take long to good thru a set of rear tires.Somewhat expensive to replace if you attend 4 or 5 events a year. Switched to the Kumho MX's and get quite a bit more track time out of the rears. YMMV.

Gene

The Panther

There is a member selling the exact pair of tires I am looking for, but one of them is patched. I have read conflicting reports on using these at the track. I am thinking of pulling the trigger on them, but not if there is any risk involved.

sperkins

Pick up a good set of non-run flat tires and have at it. I've heard that the Vredestein tire is a good choice for HPDE/street use and if I remember right you can get an entire set for about $800 in stock ZO6 sizes.

bobmoore2

I'd go with the Kumho MX. Very good track tire at an excellent price.

Info about the MX XRP at Tire Rack in C5 sizes

I used MXs with my C5 as my everyday street tire and occasionally as my track tire too.

Bob

Bills Z06

I use the Nitto 555R2. Great tire for both the street and the track. Don't use them if you're looking for something that will give you high mileage, but they're soft enough to work really well on the track.

longdaddy

unless you are down to wear bars or have very uneven wear, you most likely have enough tire for your first day.

don't use repaired tires on the track.

AU N EGL

Use the tires you have. Dont go buy new street tires or an R compounds until you have 6--10 DEs under your belt

kmagvette

FredSM

IMO you'll learn more when it is you making it stick in the corner rather than your tire compound. And 1 or 2 DE/yr won't appreciably hurt your street tires. Just go have fun. You'll know when it is time to upgrade, and I predict it won't be tires first (stainless brake lines, more agressive pads, etc.).

FM

The Panther

Thanks for the replies. The rear tires I have are down to the wear bars in the center with plenty of tread on the sides. The old Michelin A/S ZPs were notorious for wearing unevenly. I would say the depth is less than 1/16th in the middle.

So I either have to get new rear tires to match the front ($600 for the new A/S ZP Plus which are supposed to wear more evenly) or get a less expensive set of 4. I just can't decide which to do. The tires will have to match stock C5 wheel sizes.

The Panther

The Panther

You can see the outside has a ton of tread left but the middle is completely worn. Will these be good enough for my first 2 day HPDE?

jaa1992

Ok, this is just me. I've run old Summittos past the wear bars on the rear on the track after it rained.
Interesting to say the least, but I have lots of track days.

Looking at your tires, for your first event I'd suggest going ahead and using them.
IIRC the sidewalls on runflats are pretty stiff so you will need to play with your air pressure. Don't know about what works for these, non- runflats I start at 35 and adjust so that when I get off the track after a session they are just under 40 psi.

I will also reccomend you do LOTS of DE's with street tires. Shoot I time trial my Mustang on street tires! Ran almost a 2:00 at Road Atl, Faster cars with a whole lot more than my 190HP were close to 1:40. Warning - this hoby is more addictive than crack, and some say more expensive!

Are you going to Road Atl with NASA-SE? If so look me up, I'll be the one in the bright yellow V6 Mustang.

sperkins

Yup me too.

AU N EGL

Heck yah

Tread is to remove rain water, not traction.

jaymsu

If I were you, I'd go to this track event with what you have, then move onto non-runflat. You'll be using a lot of side (outside) tread during your HPDE.
I have Kumho MX on my C5 coupe and I love this tires. I've been to 6 track days on this set (2 were wet) and I think I still have 2-3 more track days left on those tires. For $650 for 4 tires, I think it's damn good. Oh,, it sticks much better than PS AS for sure.

waddisme

I used the Vreds for a year and a half. They work really well for dd/track use. They actually do better than the Mich I have on now. They are a great value. Unfortunately, they are not as cheap as they were 2 years ago.

Greywolfe

I would just run the street tires you have until they are all worn out. When its time to get new tires I would highly recommend Nitto NT05s.

I use them on my 03 Z06 for daily driving and track days and they are really good for a street tire. They give plenty of warning and have decent grip. Way better then my old Michilen Pilot Sports (which were old and hard).

I got a set for $800.00 when they first came out in March 2009.

I will stick with them until I move up to V710s or R6s