Just want to stress what Jeremy brought up earlier… that a “bad” street tire is going to be more forgiving on the track for a novice who’s scared about spinning off track than a “good” race tire. Street tires give lots of warning when they’re letting go and let go very progressively giving you lots of time to back off and recover. A track tire is going to hold on until the ragged edge and let go very quickly giving you little time to recover.
I’ve run street tires at all the track days I’ve been to on a heavier car that I can pretty much guarantee I’ve pushed way harder than you will on your first time out.
My opinion, do at least one track day on your street tires to get a feel for it. Do race pads (I too love Carbotech’s XP series), fresh ATE blue or gold (same specs, just use the different color to flush so you know when all the old is out) and a high quality blank rotor (don’t worry about dimples, or slots and definitely not cross drilled). Bring some extra oil (my car doesn’t use a drop beating on it on the street but always manages to eat a quart at Nelson), fill up with gas just before you get there and bring a 12volt compressor to bring your tire pressures up a bit over street pressures.
When you get out there don’t try and go 9/10ths on your first lap. The Nelson instructor made a really good point about “tiny bites”. As you’re trying to go faster do it in tiny little increments. Brake just a tiny little bit later, turn in a tiny bit earlier or tiny bit later as you’re trying different lines. If it feels good you can try a tiny bit more the next lap but if it feels bad you should still have room to make the turn. If you take too big a bite and are wrong you’ll quickly find yourself off in the grass or worse.
I’m with you on this. Not the first time people “steered” me away from track tires. I have time to choose rubber so I appreciate the input…and keep it coming.
don’t use race rubber at your first couple events. they don’t have the same breakaway characteristics of street tires so now you’re trying to learn two things at once: how to drive on a race track and how to manage track tires at the limits. better to figure out one at a time. Also, if the tires are letting go at lower grip it will mean when things get ugly it will be at lower speeds so you can regain control more easily. I’d be looking for something with a treadware from 180-250 or so.
my advice is burn up some cheap Z rated tires and spend your money on pads and maybe even a pair a racing seats you can swap out. I say the seats because you’ll be able to mount them lower so you don’t hit your helmet and also because if you’re being held in place better you’ll be able to feel the car more. I’d even say use stock seat belts to start (with maybe a CG lock if you want).
Never thought about it in that terminology, but it works.
When I am learning a new track I will do the whole thing in 4th gear, even the tight turns. The line is usually: hang out at the outside edge of the track, drive down to the inside, hit apex, and track out (or set-up for the next turn). Staying in 4th gear will absolutely punish you for not being able to keep your momentum through a turn. If my turn exit speed feels slow and the car doesn’t track out, I work on braking later, higher entry speed, and trying to hold the same line (as turn radius will increase with speed with same steering input). Once I am consistent at picking up braking points and have a rough idea of a good line but still slow, or engine bog, then I will go down to 3rd (even if I know I could use 2nd). Now that I have an o.k. power band I’ll move the braking, turn-in, apex, and exit points around. I almost never go down to lowest gear possible and try to wind out every gear my first session.
whatever you choose, look at your class rules before you make a decision - otherwise you might get borked and thrown into a class which you’re not built to compete in, and get your ass handed to you not because of lack of driving talent (incentive to learn and drive better), but simply due to wrong equipment (simply infuriating)
I run two oil pressure and one oil temp gauge. I’ll be sure to watch em all in the turns. I certainly don’t plan on going above my class. I’ll just ask to be grouped with the idiots and I’ll be fine.
Sounds like ur in for a fun summer. I plan on getting my evo down to the glen once or twice. But yea as far as tires man just focus on what the rating is and what type of characteristics the tire has. U should hunt around for a clean used set and go that rout. U can save a few dollars and not be pissed when u wear them out quick. LIke said before U can buy sneaky cheaper tires are actually hold up very well. That NT-01 is a pretty good tire too;) GL
i emailed them to see if the federals are actually available in the U.S currently. if they are im just going to suck it up and purchase them and make them fit lol. i will let you know how they are.
My original setup on the wheels fell through and I think I’ve decided (based on numerous warnings to watch out for “track” tires as a noob) I am going to go with a street tire. Found these on one of my Z sites but never heard of them and just wondering if anyone here has any knowledge / experience. Please let me know. Thanks.