[s-cars] HPDE Track Tires

[Manuel Sanchez]

Fellow S-heads,

I am looking into purchasing a set of tire that will mainly be used  
for HPDE events. I typically go when it is relatively cool outside.  
This is typically 4 track days per year (April and November). Often  
the mornings are cold, 40-50 degrees F (4-10C) , warming up to low  
70s F (22C).

I have currently been running Toyo T1Rs and I didn't really like them  
too much. I am probably over driving them. They howl alot and the  
sidewalls really roll over (in my opinion). I sometimes run stock  
camber, but other times run -1.5 degrees of camber (I actually don't  
know what the limits are of my 2B Camber plates are). I am running  
2B's coilover kit with 600lb rear springs and I think 440s in the  
front. Koni Yellows, adjustable in the front.

So while I'd like to ratchet up my performance a bit at the track, I  
don't have a Donald trump bank account, so price will be a  
consideration.

When I took my Toyo T1R's to my reputable tire dealer, he said these  
tires weren't really designed for what I've been doing to them, and  
recommended Toyo RA-1's (instead of the R-888) when I am ready, as  
the RA1's have proven to take a beating (I have an Avant).

My wheel size is 17" x 8".

I am looking likely at 245/40-17 (I currently have 235/45-17's).

Most of these DOT R compound tires seem to hover in the $250/tire range.

Tire rack has a special for Michelin Pilot Sport PS2's for $167/tire.  
That's essential a buy 3 get 1 free deal compared to regular price.

The delta between a DOT R compound and these is about $332.

I have read in GRM that to really get the most out of a track tire,  
you need to run lots of negative camber. Toyo lists -2.5 to -5  
degrees camber on their website. I have run -1.5 degrees of camber  
(don't know if I can set my plates up to get more or not). I also  
drive my car to the track and that's usually a 500 mile round trip  
each time, so I have thought  that more aggressive alignment might  
chew up the tires I use to drive down a bit (the beauty of the avant  
as a track whore is that a complete set of track tires fits  
comfortably where the 3rd row seating is located).

The Michelin PS2's have a wear rating of 220.
Toyo RA1's have a wear rating of 100.
The Michelins are about 3-4 lbs lighter / tire than the Toyo's.

So:

Has anyone run either of these tires on their urS at the track?
If so, what did you think of them?
Based on my experience with the T1R's I would like to find a tire  
with a sidewall stiff enough that it won't roll over (I have had  
other tires that did not seem to roll over onto the sidewall as  
easily as the Toyo's, Goodyear F1 GSD3's and some Dunlops that I  
can't remember).
Would an R Compound tire be a waste, since I have not run at least  
-2.5 degrees of camber?
Would R Compound tires be a waste because the track temperatures when  
I attend HPDE's is cool (in my opinion), or are those ambient  
temperatures warm enough to get an R compound tire to really shine?

I could also let this PS2 sale slide by and when the time comes buy a  
cheaper set of Hankooks or Kuhmo street tires to beat on at the  
track. They seem to be substantially cheaper.

Thanks.

Manny
95.5 urS6 Avant (mostly RS2'd)