Hi all - What is considered the best 19" street tire for the track. I'm used to running Hoosier R6's on my last race car and will run them on my S later. But I need a set of tires to do dual duty for awhile. I'm sure this was covered before but my search didn't find it.

Thanks.

consider the yokohama advan sport.

if you are used to Hoosiers and drive hard enough to take advantage of them, then you are going to be happy only with a DOT R-compound tire that is fit for use on the street. Toyo RA1, Nitto NT01, Michelin MPSC, Yokohama 048R are all suitable for street and track use. Porsche fits the MPSC on the Turbo and GT3 as optional street/track tires. Lotus fits the 048R on the Elise/Exige. I've personally used the RA1 and NT01 as street/track tires. I think the MPSC is the only one available in 19".

I was pretty happy with the OEM Michelin PS2's. I flogged them around Sebring, Homestead, Roebling and Moroso. They've worn well. Grip was very good for a street tire. At the limit, they let go pretty progressively - no surprises.

I wouldn't run an R-compound tire on the street. They're hell in the rain. I tried to drive home from a track weekend on my Toyo RA-1's and got caught in the rain. I nearly killed myself. They car hydroplaned all over the place and I had to stop three times and wait for things to let up.

If you really need a dual-use tire, I'd stay away from the R-Compound stuff. The tradeoffs in the wet might not be worth it.

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Go Fast, Brake Late, Don't F*ck Up!

Thanks fo the great feedback. I'll check out the R-Compound, with consideration for the rain as I am in Florida. I am very used to the R-Compound as the car I built and sold to buy the Cayman S was a PCA GT3S 1975 911 weighing 2,070lbs, 350hp, 325trq, coilovers, Hossier R's etc. Great car that ran low 2:20's at Sebring. I decided not to race and chose the Cayman S to do DE's and TT's. I've had various 911's since 1974 and thought I'd always own a 911. But after driving a friends Cayman S I was in love. Can't wait to get it on the track.

Cheers.

Low 2:20's - that's a smoking time around Sebring! 2,000 lbs with 350hp will get you around in a hurry! My guess is you can expect to turn somewhere in the 2:30's in the Cayman.

....did you see that video Alejo posted here this week of him running Sebring with PBOC. Pretty sweet.

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Go Fast, Brake Late, Don't F*ck Up!

I'm going to have to assume your RA1's were fairly worn. At full tread they are a racing rain tire. I live in the NW where it rains a LOT and have been very happy with the RA1 as a street tire.

yoko advan neovas, also bridgestone re-01r if you want a true street tire. they dominate the street tire classes in auto-X. personally agree with the guy who suggested toyo ra1s. they are fine on the street if you don't shave them, and of course be careful around standing water.

I have heard from friends, but not tried personally, that Falken Azenis is the best street tire for the track. It is not ideal for rain, however. I would pick unshaved RA-1s if you need something that can run in the rain.

You're right - I should have mentioned that tire had been shaved to 3/32 and then abused at the track. Therefore the grooves were practically gone - which is why I was I all over the place in the rain.

__________________
Go Fast, Brake Late, Don't F*ck Up!

Hi drvreg - I haven't had a chance to see Alejo's Sebring video yet. Hope to take a look later tonight. I expect somewhere in the 2:30's at Sebring with the S. So if I'm able to do the local PCA DE on May 12th I'll find out.

The car I sold was pretty well sorted. A lot of fun but no place to play other than the track.

Cheers.