HP Street Tires VS A/R Comps

[DJWorm]

Frequently it is asked on this forum if there is a suitable tire that can be used on both street and track (AutoX or HPDE).

My answer is always an emphatic NO!

Here's why:

1. Performance: HP Street tires usually have UTQR rating of 100 to +140. A compromise between performance and wear. There are a few DOT approved racing compound tires which are street worthy with a UTQR of 60 to 100. But these still lack in performance as compared to the true race compound tires either DOT A's or DOT Rs and R compound slicks. The advantage of having a a true race compound with race tire construction far outweighs the convience of not having to change tires at the track. A driver's learning curve and abilities will quickly outstrip the HP Street tires ability and he will become increasingly frustrated as he tries to drive beyond the HP street tires limits on the track.
2. COST: This is a no brainer. A good HP Street Tire can cost between $400 - $550 each. Where as Hoosier or Kuhmo A/R Comp's are $200-$250 each. Why burn up an expensive HP Street tire on the track all-the-while getting less performance. In the long run an extra set of race wheels and race tires is cheaper than trying to run HP Street tires at the track.

Here is a good article for further reading"

http://wincom.net/trog/street_tire_faq/

[Pakisho]

Nitto NT01s: great compromise

1. 100 treadwear rating.
2. 175 for fronts (275/40 R17)
3. 300 for rears (315/30 R18).

Im running strong on my first set, the car grips and rips in a straight line and sticks like glue in corners, and they are a long way from worn.

My car is driven pretty hard when its driven, I have other vehicles to drive to the store, etc. Anything more than a 60% "performance use" on a hi-po car=youre shafting yourself if you stick with the regular tires. I will never run regular tires again.

[DJWorm]

Duh...you just don't get it. There is NO compromise. You shouldn't compromise. That's what the whole point is.

The difference between 100 UTQR Shitto's and a 35 Compound A/R Hoosier's or Kuhmo's is night and day.

Your fooling yourself and are forcing yourself to drive below your limits.

AND you tire size selection is wrong. 275/315 only INCREASES the understeer. You went from a 265/295, 30 difference to a 40 difference. You'd be better off with

305/30x18 on 10.5x18 with +0.25" offset FRONT
315/35x17 on 11x17 with +0.25" offset REAR

Now the difference is only 10 and the car is nearly neutral.

[Pakisho]

I fail to see the need to be a d1ck about it, worm.

Thanks for your opinion. I will give it the consideration it merits. And if you will be so kind as to allow me to re-iterate, the NT01 is an excellent compromise that can do double duty as a street/autox/hpde tire.

[DJWorm]

OK, maybe I don't get it.

If the Nitto's at 100 UTGR offer such a great improvement over other HP street tires at 140 UTGR then why wouldn't you opt for Hooosier's or Kuhmo's at 35 UTGR with 10 times more grip?

Bear in mind that the 100 UTGR is only that good when the tire is brand spanking new. With every heat cycle a tire looses some of it's grip. Thus your 100 UTGR Nitto that sees street driving and many heat cycles may in fact only have the grip of a 140 in a week or to of street driving.

Even if you didn't drive that much on the street the performance your giving up on the track is enormous.

Proof is in the pudding....I have never even seen a Nitto shodded car in even the top 20 at National Tour AutoX or Pro Solo or SCCA Solo I Time Trials....and no Nitto shodded car has ever passed me on the track or beaten me..ever.

Why compromise at all? I just don't get it!

[UstaB-GS549]

Originally Posted by DJWorm

Duh...you just don't get it. There is NO compromise. You shouldn't compromise. That's what the whole point is.

Without unlimited funds you always compromise one way or another.

If I took your advice, I probably would not compete at all as I cannot afford all the required equipment.