my first time

[Dreco]

I finally took my Z out to the track for the first time (MY first time too). It was a Infineon Raceway. What a rush!!!. I learned so much about racing. I now realize how GOOD the pro's really are. My Z has around 275 hp (not sure how much is going to the wheels), and it's a little depressing to see a Miata in your back seat wanting to pass!! After a few runs, I found out my tires have too high of a tread ware rating. Sad to say that I did spin out once on turn 8. I was following a trainer on my second run. I was having trouble with turns 2 and 7 so he was showing me how to take them. well, I was doing good, so we started speeding up. I was going too fast through turn 8. The mistake I made was letting my foot off the gas midway through the turn. Funny how that's just like hitting the brakesROFL . I spun, then straightend it, but now i was in the grass with no control. I just kissed the tires infront of the wall on 8a. Very lucky, only a scratch. Can't wait to get back out there. Anyone have suggestions about tires that are streetable, but are really good on the track. I know it's a trade off. I'm running a 15 inch rim with 60/ 225's

[ZmeFly]

theres a lot of good talk about Khumo MK's

[2ManyZs]

Most manufacturers either have a really good track tire, or a really good street tire. Hard to find one that is both but here's a couple that looks pretty decent in 14 and 15 inch sizes. Luckily you are running 15's or your choices would be very slim....

You will notice there are not as many 60 series tires listed, I'd suggest going to a 205-225/ 50 instead as you will get better track preformance with the shorter sidewall, but a slightly stiffer street ride.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=Goodyear&model=Eagle+HP

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=Kumho&model=ECSTA+Supra+712

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=Yokohama&model=AVS+ES100

FWIW, these are just some of the ones I would consider, as the prices are quite reasonable, and I just picked them out at random. I didn't compare tread wear ratings and such, just went by the manufacturers and picked the ones that are the closest tread patterns to their race tires.

[Dreco]

Thanks, Time to go shopping. I might just get a set of wheels and tires just for the track. My current tread ware rating is 400!! The fact I kept up with anyone out there is hard to believe. I think I had the hardest tire out there. I did here a lot about Kumho's. I heard they were a good 'bang for your buck'.

[Dreco]

I meant that I did HEAR Kumho's were a good tire. I should proof read better.

[2ManyZs]

If you do get another set of wheels for the track, these are the tires that seem to be getting the highest praise for the prices. The Hoosiers may be stickier and faster on the track, but they are much higher priced and don't last nearly as well....:disappoin

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Sizes.jsp?make=Kumho&model=Ecsta+V700

You can get these tires shaved and heat cycled from the Tire Rack as well, if you are going to use them as a track only tire, shaving would be the way to go, heat cycling can be done on the track, as you probably won't be using them as often as someone who races on a steady basis.

[Zlishous]

Hey Dre,

I am in Santa Rosa, let me know the next time you plan on going to Infineon, we can hook up over there and have a litlle fun on the track.

I am trying to get ready for the SCCA event in April. I have nothing fancy, just my stock 260, but it's gonna be fun!

See ya,

Paul

[Dreco]

Zlishous, I'll let you know the next time I go out. I only saw a couple of Z's out there. Would have been nice to see a few more. One of them was even louder than the RX-7'sLOL . NASA put me into a class with some really fast cars, one being a 2002 Viper GTS. I think I should have ran in a slower group. I had horsepower to keep up with some of the cars, but even If I could out power them, I couldn't out handle them. I'm good at the "courtesy pass" signal. I was told however, that my tires were good for learning the correct line of the track; so maybe I'll do better the next time I go out. (with stickier tires)

[Mudge]

You can trail brake (LIGHTLY!) or let off the gas slowly, otherwise it will want to bring the rear around on you.

275 is quite a bit in a Z car, must be FAST!

[kmack]

I know a few Porsche people that run these tires and they like them better than the Kumhos. Supposedly one step up from a race only tire. This site also has some pretty good prices, better than tire rack.

http://www.victoriatire.com/tires.html?cart=104490442311215673&brand=Falken&NAME=Azenis%20Sport

[Mudge]

Lets mention WHICH Kumhos, there are 280-300 treadwear Kumhos and there are 60 treadwear Kumhos. The Falkens you posted are 200.

Alot of folks love the Victoracers, or a V700 which supposedly is the same compound as the Victo, but with a bit more street friendly tread. Either way they dont last forever but will beat full on Hoosiers for wear hands down. There are other less desireable race tires that likewise last very long, if on the street into the thousands of miles, Toyo Proxes R1 I think is what I'm thinking of. People hate them for stick but they last forever, some series' use them due to rules.

I'm going to try a Kumho tire, I used to use Yoko AVS Intermediates (160 treadwear), but they are NLA :mad:

[ZCCOR#109]

DRECORD

Your running too large a tire!?? The stock tire was 175 80 14 that was right at 25 in diameter according to Carl Beck.

This was a result of 14 inches of wheel and two times the tire aspect (height of sidewall) which was 5.5in. (11in)

You should try to use a wheel tire combination that is a smaller diameter to get an effective higher rear end ratio. My calculations for a 15 inch wheel are 254 50 15, 212 60 15, 181 70 15, to exact calcs. Obviously you have to pick a size that a tire is made in. The width of the wheel is not mentioned. You would usually fit the width of the tire according to the manufacturer's recommendation. Do the calculations for the width selected to determine the aspect ration that will give you the appropriate diameter desired. For highway travel you would want a greater diameter for an overdrive effect.

Second. I have used Kumo Victoracers on my Z for track and Autocrossing. My second set is now worn out. On the track they were superb. I passed a viper at Gingerman!

I use them on the street here in Central Ohio, with great care in the rain I must add. The first set was good for about 15,000 miles, which I considered outstanding considering they were on the track and autocrossed, and when HOT they stick like a race tire. I see you are in California, and if it is normally dry there, and/or you have another car to drive in the rain, then the Victoracers are the best performance.

If there is a negative for use on the street, it is you try to pass corvettes on the exist ramps. Did that too.

Check out the test of tires that was performed by and published in "Grassroots Motorsports" in a recent addition. Think it was the October time frame. They tested four or five tires in a controlled environment for autocrossing.

Good luck.