First track day done but I think I need better tires

Jhill · 06-17-2016, 06:19 PM

Hmm maybe some super sports as they get some good comments and at least have a 15k warranty which is kind of comforting when spending 1k+ on tires.

RN SHARK · 06-17-2016, 06:29 PM

If you cannot afford a non-A/S tire for the track, then I suggest you put off going to the track. As Gomer mentioned, do not track on an all-season tire. You will just burn them up and will not learn anything about high performance driving, wasting money hand-over-fist. Just take a step back and ask yourself if what you are trying to do makes any sense. Just bought a Z...paying the fee for track days (at Laguna Seca, noneless)...wanting another A/S tire...cannot afford a performance tire appropriate for track use, even limited. No. It does not make sense. Make a plan for next year, save your money, try again later.

RN SHARK · 06-17-2016, 06:31 PM

Also, if it is your daily and just thinking about tires is a financial struggle, I'd stop taking your car to the track on inferior tires. One slip into the wall and you won't be able to recover financially.

OptionZero · 06-17-2016, 06:40 PM

Man, going to the track on all-seasons seems . . . suicidal or pointless. Push it and the low level of grip is gonna send you into a wall or other car; the alternative is going like 5/10ths and then why bother

If you can't afford tires, like others have said . . . best to wait. This is for safety.

I'd recommend new brake pads, brake fluid, and from what i've heard, an oil cooler.

Jhill · 06-17-2016, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OptionZero

Man, going to the track on all-seasons seems . . . suicidal or pointless. Push it and the low level of grip is gonna send you into a wall or other car; the alternative is going like 5/10ths and then why bother

If you can't afford tires, like others have said . . . best to wait. This is for safety.

I'd recommend new brake pads, brake fluid, and from what i've heard, an oil cooler.

Already have brake lines, high boiling point fluid, xp10/xp8 and 34 row cooler (and hit 245 oil temp) so I got all the safety stuff done. I buy the hdpe insurance when I go, yea it adds the cost but cheaper if anything happens. It's not that I can't afford the re11 it's just what makes more sense when I am still learning and not even pushing the limits of the tires I have. Spending that much for a tire to really only use 2-3 times a year and not even be near its limits while wasting it 99% on highway. There were still plenty of people out there with none r comp tires guys. It's not like everyone is in group D.

Also I am still on Oem suspension so not too much point running a super sticky tire with minor camber either.

AlWakRa · 06-17-2016, 08:01 PM

I have pilot super sport currently on my car and very happy with them in the track. But I didn't try any tire in the Extreme category as they aren't available locally, even the PSS, I bought them and shipped them from UK.

I had them on my old DD but I didn't track them, they lasted two years and half with around 37k miles on them.

Jhill · 06-17-2016, 08:15 PM

I fully plan on a second set later but that will be more likely a next year thing that I get over winter. Just looking at what I can use as a good tire now since my rears are nearing wear limit and these tires pretty much don't match this vehicle anyway. Also at my level I am not pushing the car, as for not being worth it if only pushing it 5/10 well that's all an opinion. See I am required to hold my class b license for work so I can not drive reckless in the street at all! Otherwise I get arrested, pay huge fine, lose my license, lose my job, now can't afford payments, lose my car etc etc. So then why bother owning a z if I can't use it every now and again so the 200.00 for an open track event and 200.00 for a 2 day insurance policy all of a sudden looks very cheap comparatively wouldn't you say?

gomer_110 · 06-17-2016, 08:19 PM

OP, maybe you should consider autox instead of doing HPDE. It still gives you an opportunity to push the car (albeit not as fast) but at a much lower cost and lower risk.

ban25 · 06-17-2016, 08:46 PM

FWIW, Laguna is pretty easy on tires, at least compared to other tracks in California. I get 5-6 track days out of a set of RE-71Rs. Drop the A/S and just take the Skibus to Tahoe!

Jhill · 06-17-2016, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomer_110

OP, maybe you should consider autox instead of doing HPDE. It still gives you an opportunity to push the car (albeit not as fast) but at a much lower cost and lower risk.

Not really the same thing or same driving technique. I can cover the cost fine and I only plan to go 2-3 times a season. I think you guys are getting the wrong idea of what I'm after. I am not racing or trying for a personal best or competing I am out to have a fun day legally and stay within my limits, comfort zone. Yes at the track there are plenty of track spec Porsche and BMW but there are also lower level classes with people that just want to learn to be smoother/cleaner and quicker. So for me that's worth the cost for others maybe not and they will do it on the streets and if they ever get caught they will probably have a different opinion later after the lawyer fees, fines and community service (it only takes that one time to make all the others not worth it). So I'll do my spirited driving on the track and I'm more than happy to give a point to pass if I'm holding someone up.

Looking at the avg mi and my avg mi I probably will look at the re11/pss/or direzza star spec ii after all since I only drive at 15k a year at most. Probably end up a rear set a year and a front ever 1.5 is my guess.

Jhill · 06-17-2016, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ban25

FWIW, Laguna is pretty easy on tires, at least compared to other tracks in California. I get 5-6 track days out of a set of RE-71Rs. Drop the A/S and just take the Skibus to Tahoe!

Good to know and yea I will never take my z in the snow I only need to make it to granite bay to hitch a ride with a friend. I do Tahoe in summer for northstar dh biking. I will look at the 71r as a second set for next season when I have another set of wheels. I've found some for about 1400 which isn't bad. Just going to look for another set of Oem Rays sports.

Jhill · 06-17-2016, 10:25 PM

Ok well thanks for all the feedback guys, it give me a lot to think about and I really appreciate the concern for my safety and understand where your coming from and do believe in being safe (that's why I did all the brake and cooling work before going). Looks like I will get another set of wheels and tires but in the more imediate future I will drop the a/s tires and get a max performance since I drive low mi anyway and that should suit me for a few track days as well as I am not one that believes in pushing it to my limits, I stay safer and steadily progress (been dh riding for over 20 years and haven't broken anything knock on wood. Still not the fastest guy but not the slowest either and don't have all the injuries the fastest guy has). So just knowing my limits and staying within them as I get more comfortable I will steadily get faster and smother and at that point may require some more mods but I still have a long ways to go before I even come close to pushing what I haves limits.

Thanks again community.

cv129 · 06-17-2016, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhill

I think you guys are getting the wrong idea of what I'm after. I am not racing or trying for a personal best or competing I am out to have a fun day legally and stay within my limits, comfort zone.

We can all respect that. My opinion is:

I think running front XP10 on stock size, all-season compound tires is a mismatch. Certainly not a good match long term.
If all season tire already feels greasy to you now, you'll outgrow that tire category in no time.
Most starts out with the idea of just having a little fun. That quickly changes as your skill improves...slowly but surely, you brake a little later, turn a little harder, even if you aren't trying to be a hero.
If you wanna save $, get all season for the street, invest in a set of 18' rims and serious shoes for the track. However...
IMHO, in hot climate, using strong summer tires on the street is a not waste of money. From a safety perspective, that 5ft reduction in braking distance or the extra bit of lateral grip may make a difference just that one time you need it most.

Jhill · 06-17-2016, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cv129

We can all respect that. My opinion is:

I think running front XP10 on stock size, all-season compound tires is a mismatch. Certainly not a good match long term.
If all season tire already feels greasy to you now, you'll outgrow that tire category in no time.
Most starts out with the idea of just having a little fun. That quickly changes as your skill improves...slowly but surely, you brake a little later, turn a little harder, even if you aren't trying to be a hero.
If you wanna save $, get all season for the street, invest in a set of 18' rims and serious shoes for the track. However...
IMHO, in hot climate, using strong summer tires on the street is a not waste of money. From a safety perspective, that 5ft reduction in braking distance or the extra bit of lateral grip may make a difference just that one time you need it most.

Cool plan and that fits what I'm after. I do plan on a second set, probably some type of r comp so I can still drive on them to and from the track as I have no trailer (I got a hitch but no trailer). Will 18 fit with sport brakes? I may look into cost comparison as it seems you can find the Rays 19 for not too bad an investment but then the tires will cost more vs probably paying more for a good aftermarket 18 but then cheaper tire price.

And your right the brakes were way overkill but I'm still not late braking yet and errord on the side of safe (didn't want car and driver Nismo event happening to me), easy enough to swap in and out too so they should last a while since only used on track.

cv129 · 06-17-2016, 11:31 PM

18's do, it's a snug fit. Plenty of serious track guys run 18's on their Z's. I believe the z's in certain country (Australia I think) actually comes with 18in wheels and sports brakes.

06-17-2016, 06:29 PM	#17 (permalink)
RN SHARK Track Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Delafield, WI Age: 44 Posts: 618 Drives: 09 370Z, 14 SRT GC Rep Power: 35	If you cannot afford a non-A/S tire for the track, then I suggest you put off going to the track. As Gomer mentioned, do not track on an all-season tire. You will just burn them up and will not learn anything about high performance driving, wasting money hand-over-fist. Just take a step back and ask yourself if what you are trying to do makes any sense. Just bought a Z...paying the fee for track days (at Laguna Seca, noneless)...wanting another A/S tire...cannot afford a performance tire appropriate for track use, even limited. No. It does not make sense. Make a plan for next year, save your money, try again later. __________________ ___________ '09 6sp/Z1/PowerTrix/SPL/Swift/SRP/Whiteline/F.I.LTH&CBE/UpRev by Seb/CJM/Stillen/Ings+1/RJM/TrackSpec/Sparco/Motul/Wavetrac/Coolerworx/Verus/CraftSquare '14 SRT Grand Cherokee; '08 TL Type-S

06-17-2016, 06:31 PM	#18 (permalink)
RN SHARK Track Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Delafield, WI Age: 44 Posts: 618 Drives: 09 370Z, 14 SRT GC Rep Power: 35	Also, if it is your daily and just thinking about tires is a financial struggle, I'd stop taking your car to the track on inferior tires. One slip into the wall and you won't be able to recover financially. __________________ ___________ '09 6sp/Z1/PowerTrix/SPL/Swift/SRP/Whiteline/F.I.LTH&CBE/UpRev by Seb/CJM/Stillen/Ings+1/RJM/TrackSpec/Sparco/Motul/Wavetrac/Coolerworx/Verus/CraftSquare '14 SRT Grand Cherokee; '08 TL Type-S

06-17-2016, 08:01 PM	#21 (permalink)
AlWakRa Track Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Qatar Posts: 600 Drives: 10 370Z PW 6MT Rep Power: 13450	I have pilot super sport currently on my car and very happy with them in the track. But I didn't try any tire in the Extreme category as they aren't available locally, even the PSS, I bought them and shipped them from UK. I had them on my old DD but I didn't track them, they lasted two years and half with around 37k miles on them. Jhill likes this. __________________ 2010 370Z Touring Sport Pearl White 6MT Powered by: Fast Intentions - Motordyne - Stillen - OS Giken - CJ Motorsports - Mishimoto - MCA Suspension - SPL - SuperPRO - RJM - Z1 Motorsport - Zspeed - Volk My Humble Journals

06-17-2016, 08:19 PM	#23 (permalink)
gomer_110 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perrysburg, OH Posts: 17,992 Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM Rep Power: 36941	OP, maybe you should consider autox instead of doing HPDE. It still gives you an opportunity to push the car (albeit not as fast) but at a much lower cost and lower risk. __________________ '11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Uprev \| CSF \| Zspeed \| Z1 Motorsports \| AST \| Swift \| SPC \| SPL \| Whiteline \| Hotchkis \| Bride \| Schroth \| Robispec \| Cusco \| Nismo \| Volk \| Forgestar \| Hoosier \| RJM '17 Titan Bone Stock

06-17-2016, 08:46 PM	#24 (permalink)
ban25 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: SF, CA Posts: 339 Drives: 17 C7 Z06 M7 Rep Power: 66	FWIW, Laguna is pretty easy on tires, at least compared to other tracks in California. I get 5-6 track days out of a set of RE-71Rs. Drop the A/S and just take the Skibus to Tahoe! Jhill likes this. __________________ 2017 Corvette Z06 7MT \| 1LE \| Stage 3 \| DSCSport

06-17-2016, 06:19 PM	#16 (permalink)
Jhill Track Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: San jose Posts: 854 Drives: 2013 370z sport Rep Power: 3384	Hmm maybe some super sports as they get some good comments and at least have a 15k warranty which is kind of comforting when spending 1k+ on tires.

06-17-2016, 06:40 PM	#19 (permalink)
OptionZero A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Sacramento Posts: 3,235 Drives: 15 370Z Nismo 6MT Rep Power: 214100	Man, going to the track on all-seasons seems . . . suicidal or pointless. Push it and the low level of grip is gonna send you into a wall or other car; the alternative is going like 5/10ths and then why bother If you can't afford tires, like others have said . . . best to wait. This is for safety. I'd recommend new brake pads, brake fluid, and from what i've heard, an oil cooler.

06-17-2016, 08:15 PM	#22 (permalink)
Jhill Track Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: San jose Posts: 854 Drives: 2013 370z sport Rep Power: 3384	I fully plan on a second set later but that will be more likely a next year thing that I get over winter. Just looking at what I can use as a good tire now since my rears are nearing wear limit and these tires pretty much don't match this vehicle anyway. Also at my level I am not pushing the car, as for not being worth it if only pushing it 5/10 well that's all an opinion. See I am required to hold my class b license for work so I can not drive reckless in the street at all! Otherwise I get arrested, pay huge fine, lose my license, lose my job, now can't afford payments, lose my car etc etc. So then why bother owning a z if I can't use it every now and again so the 200.00 for an open track event and 200.00 for a 2 day insurance policy all of a sudden looks very cheap comparatively wouldn't you say?

06-17-2016, 10:25 PM	#27 (permalink)
Jhill Track Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: San jose Posts: 854 Drives: 2013 370z sport Rep Power: 3384	Ok well thanks for all the feedback guys, it give me a lot to think about and I really appreciate the concern for my safety and understand where your coming from and do believe in being safe (that's why I did all the brake and cooling work before going). Looks like I will get another set of wheels and tires but in the more imediate future I will drop the a/s tires and get a max performance since I drive low mi anyway and that should suit me for a few track days as well as I am not one that believes in pushing it to my limits, I stay safer and steadily progress (been dh riding for over 20 years and haven't broken anything knock on wood. Still not the fastest guy but not the slowest either and don't have all the injuries the fastest guy has). So just knowing my limits and staying within them as I get more comfortable I will steadily get faster and smother and at that point may require some more mods but I still have a long ways to go before I even come close to pushing what I haves limits. Thanks again community.

06-17-2016, 11:31 PM	#30 (permalink)
cv129 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 3,235 Drives: 09 Nismo, 16 Nismo Rep Power: 163995	18's do, it's a snug fit. Plenty of serious track guys run 18's on their Z's. I believe the z's in certain country (Australia I think) actually comes with 18in wheels and sports brakes. __________________ Setrab \| RE-71 \| SPL \| JRZ \| Nismo \| ARK \| Whiteline \| RacingBrake \| CJM Oil Pan \| Ti shield

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