Paper Lawyer

I've got a set of the OEM 16" wheels which I use for track days. Currently they are shod with my old F1 tyres which I ditched when I bought my 17" SSRs. However, the F1s are poor on track; soft sidewall and they seem to overheat/lose grip when worked hard at Anglesey.

What is the best solution for replacement tyres? I'd probably be much happier on the S02s but I don't fancy paying for a brand new set if I could get more track-specific tyres. How easy is it to get my hands on some part worns?

I do like the Yoko A048s but I'm not sure I can get 245 on the rear, would 225 really be detrimental bearing in mind the added grip? I appreciate that reducing the rear tyre width and not the front would give the car more oversteer due to the grip balance being adjusted in favour of the front, but I'm not sure whether it would be a substantial difference, particularly bearing in mind my suspension mods.

Does anyone have any other tyre recommendations, such as Avon or Toyo?

sportyking

I have a set with Toyo R888's on the front and they are really good in anything upto standing water. They felt better than standard tyres on a rainy Castle Coombe. I was considering using them on the road before I sold my S, but they are pretty new and were not then available in my 17/18 inch combination. On the back I have A032R soft compounds in a 225 size and once warm they provide more grip on track than the larger footprint S02. That said, they give a very lairy back end when it's wet, great fun but a waste of the tyres so if I go the track tyre route again I would go Toyo R888's all round

205/55/16 R888 circa

Pete Findlay

I've 'toyed' with the idea of Toyo R888s for track days (did you see what I did there? )

I ran them for most of a season (July => March) as track tyres on the ITR, and would concur wholeheartedly with sportyking's assessment of grip, including wet. I've read elsewhere that they may wear rather quickly compared to Yoko A048s and the like. Can't really comment, as I only half-wore the set I had, and have nothing else to compare with. The Yokos are a lot more expensive though...

I'm currently sticking to the OEM S02s on the spare wheels, on the basis that :
- had the car for less than a year, so I'm still learning it on track (and on the road)
- by all accounts, the S02s seem to be a far more 'track-oriented' tyre than most stock road tyres
- they're a bit cheaper, and (probably) last a bit longer than the Toyos

I'll be considering the options when I've worn out the current set. Based on the ITR experience, and sportykings comments, the Toyos will probably still be top of the list for consideration as a cost-effective track tyre.

Nick Graves

The difference between new & shot S-02s is really noticeable on the track.

Great for those Walter Mitty F1 fantasies!

They are very good on a wet track too.

Given the price similarity, I think I'd stick to the 'Stones. You can then drive home/have fun on roads/whatever too.

euan

Craig, I have a set of lightly worn (IIRC) rear SO2s if you are interested.

Only problem is their age - they came off the Macamobile, via Arsie who I bought the spare set of alloys from.

I would be slightly concerned using rubber that old on the public road, which is why I haven't made much effort to liberate them from the back of my garage to date.

Amuse Boy

I would go for some R888s CA. They are as good as the S02s in the wet but a lot better once you get some heat into them.