Track Tires choices with street suspension

[CurtiSS 69]

Hello All,

I am looking for tires for the the track. I have a '69 Camaro with street suspension and rubber bushings at all suspension points (it's a daily driven street car). I have a recommendation for BFG R1's, but I am wondering if the street type suspension will work with such grip, or is this a really bad idea? I could go with BFG g-Force Sports that would possibly a better match with street suspension? I like the way the car drives now on the street and don't want to change it, as I use this car as a primary vehicle.
The history: I driven the track five times this year with white letter T/A's, and a lot of tread has flown out. I want to run Laguna Seca -I've been running Infineon- but I know I will exceed the speed rating of the T/A's -112mph at Laguna. The tires are pretty chunky, and I would also like too avoid having them fly apart. In a quandary...what do you think?

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[68sixspeed]

I just tried the nitto nt-555's (street tire) on my vette at lime rock this year and was very impressed. One of the instructors had the softer compound nittos on a z06 and has had good luck with those too. I've seen a few guys running BFG KD's also, but they are a bit more $.

For now, I think the nitto nt555 are a nice street tire that can take the track abuse. I'm not out-driving the tire or the car yet.

[CarlC]

I'm running the NT555RII both street and track days, but I avoid rain like the plague. If you need to drive the car at all with wet streets then the NT555 noted above is a nice choice that is very reasonably priced.

[Project69]

NT-01 are amazing track tires, but not as good as the 555R on the street.

[CurtiSS 69]

Sorry Folk's,

My bad. This was a bad post. I re-worded it in a new post. I could tell by the responses that I screwed up.

Regards

-CurtiSS 69

[M-bird]

Unless you have a good number of track days under your belt and have been signed off to solo I wouls recommend against r-tires - they have grip levels that can mask poor driving technique and you can learn bad habits that are very difficult to unlearn.

For a trackable tire that will work for a street suspension your best bet would be a Kumho Ecsta-MX which likes heat, or a Bridgestone RE-01-r. The Flaken gets greasy when hot, as do the Yoko Neovas.

For a first step R-comp the RA-1 is hard to beat.

[CurtiSS 69]

"Unless you have a good number of track days under your belt and have been signed off to solo I would recommend against r-tires - they have grip levels that can mask poor driving technique and you can learn bad habits that are very difficult to unlearn."

Well said M-Bird. I did seven track days this year, and there is a lot more for me to learn. Going from a low grip tire to a high grip tire could cause problems. If the break away is too sudden with a high grip tire I could lose it sliding like I do with the T/A's. I am very concerned about it, but I guess it is all part of the game. I would actually like to find a tire that acts like my white letter T/A's that won't chunk when I push it hard. The Kumho MX's sound like a good choice. One detail I left out is the tires will be for the track Weekends only. I will be putting the T/A's on for the street. Why wear out soft compound tires in Bay Area stop and slow traffic. I will also need to find some wheels too, and there are a few current posts that are talking about cheap 17" wheels.

M-Bird Looking at your 3 series does it have a V8? If so, I pitted close to another similar car at Infineon running with NASA. It was quite a machine.

It's good to communicate with such knowledgeable folk's. This forum is really good, and I hope I can help others in the future.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[ks71z28]

I use Kuhmo ecsta mx for the street and the Kuhmo victaracers on cragar soft 8 steel wheels for the track and autocross. They work well and last for many heat cycles.

Keith

[Carvin velle]

I run the MX's on the street and the track. On the track, they are very predictable, do not chunk and hold up suprisingly well considering the conditions. I highly recommend them, especially since you do not have the luxury of dedicated track wheel/tires (I don't either). Can't complain about the price either.....

[CurtiSS 69]

Thanks,

It's good too know that the MX's don't chunk and are predicable in nature. Although I will use them as dedicated track tires with some cheap but heavy (26lbs)17" wheels I am trying to buy. I will drive them to and from the track, and at the event only. I drive too many street miles, so I would wear out the MX's in very little time, and the white letter T/A's grip more than good enough for me on the street.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[CurtiSS 69]

Just got the Kumho MX's today and I will run at Laguna Seca on Sunday with NASA. I'll let you folks know how it goes. I got 245/45-17's all around and the only contact so far has been with my brake ducting.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[CurtiSS 69]

I just got back from Laguna and I was not able to push the limits with the new tires as it rained in all sessions except the first. Plenty of slides and not much grip!

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[buickfunnycar.com]

Sorry I missed you out there Curtis,maybe next time.

[CurtiSS 69]

Hello All,

I have some feed back on the Kumho's. I just got back from a dry Weekend at Infineon with NASA. The results: The tires don't chuck after getting hot, the car required more roll stiffness too compensate for the extra grip, the car is not as easy too drive, and it is faster than with the old tires.
As far as being more difficult to drive; The car seems to understeer more than with the old T/A's, but the speeds are higher before the front starts really pushing wide. The push is so bad in some turns that I can't seem to get the back end to rotate with additional throttle (it just pushes more). I actually had to start altering my line by entering the turns deeper too compensate for the push. I guess I am still adjusting to the tires, but I am definitely going faster with these tires FWIW. The car is just harder too drive with them. They have worn down almost a quarter of the thread already too, as the rubber is just heating up and rolling off.

Regards

CurtiSS 69

[Steve1968LS2]

My R888s are great on the street.. worked good in the rain as well.

I've heard wear is decent and they don't heat cycle. They arn't cheap though..