Semi slicks for track day – your experiences?

[SSEN8R VS #1081Participant Brisbane, North Side\'97 VS II HSV Senator 185i View build HERE Member since: March 16, 2015 Posts: 227]

hey I want to get some semi slicks for next track day. Can anyone recommend any brands or tell of their experiences? Mate recommended Nitto NT-05, but not many ppl stock em.

Got spare set of rims, so will be for track only. Cheers

My build thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-ii-senator-185i-1081/
My track day thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/lakeside-track-sprint-day-second-go/
My VS brake upgrade thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-brake-upgrades/

[Phire aka GmfanParticipant VictoriaVT LS1 Wagon View build HERE Member since: March 3, 2015 Posts: 105]

Mates swear by yoko ad08r’s as best value for money. They will go hard long before they wear. Mate did a heap of days on his 255/40r17s and when times started to drop off he sold them to another mate who runs them on his BMW for track days with heaps of tread left still. I think other tyres that i was recommended were Hankook RS3. Ended up buying ad08r 265/35r18 cheaply through import monster but will be a while before I get around to using them

[SSEN8R VS #1081Participant Brisbane, North Side\'97 VS II HSV Senator 185i View build HERE Member since: March 16, 2015 Posts: 227]

so after a bit of research it appears there are two types of semi-slicks.

– “Summer tyres” as they are called overseas, which are track semi slicks that can be used on the road and still get a decent amount of kilometres 5-10,000km (without track use), but are not avisable for wet weather. They are rated for high speed (W or ZR)and designed for track use. Price seems pretty comparable to high end street tyres.

– “R compound” – these are proper race tyres designed for track use that will give grip and wear like a race tyre. Designed to Price is alot higher than street or summer semi slick tyres.

so what to buy… after tons of going back and fourth, reading as many reviews as the internet could provide…

I’m going with Hankook Ventus RS-3 Z222, 235/45/17 are around $200 ea fitted.

After I had basically decided to get em, I came across this media release saying that this model won Motor magazines 2014 overall tyre winner. http://www.hankooktyre.com.au/compmed/News_View.aspx?pageNum=5&subNum=5&ChildNum=4&Seq=286

My build thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-ii-senator-185i-1081/
My track day thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/lakeside-track-sprint-day-second-go/
My VS brake upgrade thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-brake-upgrades/

[Phire aka GmfanParticipant VictoriaVT LS1 Wagon View build HERE Member since: March 3, 2015 Posts: 105]

Let us know how you go. Important to get the pressures right to get right grip and wear. My understanding is that pressures are fair bit different between street tyres and semi’s whether they’re dot or r comp. Probably be a bit of playing around to find right pressures for you.

[hsv865Participant St ClairVS Senator View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 91]

mates lh hatch runs m/t,big buggers,come in a lot of sizes & stick like shit to blanket,he got 3deg camber in front,runs hard around the creek,swears by them.

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

Also very interested in following this, will be great to see back to back times with the street tyres vs your semi slicks.  I assume that to get the most out of them along with tyre pressure you need to play around with suspension, like sway bars etc?

[SSEN8R VS #1081Participant Brisbane, North Side\'97 VS II HSV Senator 185i View build HERE Member since: March 16, 2015 Posts: 227]

Plan to keep an eye on the pressures to see if it has a big effect. Apart from the bigger brakes on the front the car is the same, and don’t plan to be late braking. Seen a few people with laser temp gauges at the track, will see if I can borrow one.

Found this Hankook catalogue which has some info about scuffing, pressure, temperature, wear, heat cycles.

(go to page 10 ) – http://www.competitiontyres.net.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Hankook-Handbook.pdf

After a bit of a ring around, booked in to get 235/45/R17 for $189 ea fitted/balanced.

Anyone know much about scuffing in semi slick tyres?

My build thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-ii-senator-185i-1081/
My track day thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/lakeside-track-sprint-day-second-go/
My VS brake upgrade thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-brake-upgrades/

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

Been looking at Nitto NT05’s as a maybe for my thing..

[SSEN8R VS #1081Participant Brisbane, North Side\'97 VS II HSV Senator 185i View build HERE Member since: March 16, 2015 Posts: 227]

I was initially very keen on NT05’s and there are quiet a few good reviews of them online, but then I came across forum threads like these:

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=426849

http://www.evolutionm.net/forums/evo-x-tires-wheels-brakes-suspension-sponsored-tire-rack/555560-hankook-ventus-rs3-vs-nitto-nt05.html

Plenty of people saying RS3 on those

Then came across the hankook media release saying 2014 Motor mag outright tyre winner – http://www.hankooktyre.com.au/compmed/News_View.aspx?pageNum=5&subNum=5&ChildNum=4&Seq=286

Then to put the nail in the coffin, RS3’s were cheaper ($10)….

My build thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-ii-senator-185i-1081/
My track day thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/lakeside-track-sprint-day-second-go/
My VS brake upgrade thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-brake-upgrades/

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

Yeah had a look at em after reading your post, available in the size I need as well so might give em a try!

[SSEN8R VS #1081Participant Brisbane, North Side\'97 VS II HSV Senator 185i View build HERE Member since: March 16, 2015 Posts: 227]

The current motor mag has 2015 tyre comparison, i think contential wins it this year but unsure if it’s a semi slick type tyre.

My build thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-ii-senator-185i-1081/
My track day thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/lakeside-track-sprint-day-second-go/
My VS brake upgrade thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-brake-upgrades/

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

I imagine being a track day car, your not really going to be searching the last 1% of adhesion anyway, so I suppose there would be a few up at the top end of the choice tree that will do what you need?

[firebugParticipant Newcastle NSWL67 Gemini & Pathfinder Ti 550 View build HERE Member since: May 7, 2015 Posts: 89]

I use these for my hillclimb car. They are impressively sticky even when cold…

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/205-50-16-2055016-FEDERAL-595-RSR-RS-R-MOTORSPORT-SEMI-SLICK-RACE-TYRES-/291461285772?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item43dc72478c

 

 

Nothing ruins your Friday more than realising it's only Tuesday...

[SSEN8R VS #1081Participant Brisbane, North Side\'97 VS II HSV Senator 185i View build HERE Member since: March 16, 2015 Posts: 227]

Cheers @firebug – did look at those, more on the expensive end due to brand name i’m told.

My build thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-ii-senator-185i-1081/
My track day thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/lakeside-track-sprint-day-second-go/
My VS brake upgrade thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-brake-upgrades/

[firebugParticipant Newcastle NSWL67 Gemini & Pathfinder Ti 550 View build HERE Member since: May 7, 2015 Posts: 89]

@ around $150 a tyre for 235/45/17 isn’t real expensive. I suppose though you still need to get them shipped and fitted, so back to about $200 each.

Nothing ruins your Friday more than realising it's only Tuesday...

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

No 19’s killed em for me…

I have my own tyre machine and balancer :XD:

[NickVRParticipant AdelaideVR V8 Exec, VR SS, VF Redline Reserve View build HERE Member since: March 2, 2015 Posts: 264]

Could try the Achilles 123S semi slick tyres. Not sure of many people using them in grip situations but are highly regarded in the drift scene. My mate uses them as he was/is sponsored by them and when he first tried them said they were really good and has used them ever since.

He is going to be testing the Kenda semi slick as soon as they release the 180 tread wear version. He has tested the 300 tread wear (street version) and said they are quite good.

I realise drift and grip racing is different but there are some other options for people. He sells both the Achilles and the Kendas through his workshop for those in Adelaide that want some.

[SSEN8R VS #1081Participant Brisbane, North Side\'97 VS II HSV Senator 185i View build HERE Member since: March 16, 2015 Posts: 227]

@NickVR – one tyre bloke did mention Achilles 123S, and he said they were mainly used for drift. couldn’t really find any reviews on em.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 6 months ago by  SSEN8R VS #1081. Reason: removed HTML code/tags

My build thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-ii-senator-185i-1081/
My track day thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/lakeside-track-sprint-day-second-go/
My VS brake upgrade thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-brake-upgrades/

[SSEN8R VS #1081Participant Brisbane, North Side\'97 VS II HSV Senator 185i View build HERE Member since: March 16, 2015 Posts: 227]

all purchased – don’t really look like semi slicks to me, but meant to be good…

I’m going to move the chat to my track day thread, since i’m booked in for another track day.

http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/lakeside-track-sprint-day-second-go/

My build thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-ii-senator-185i-1081/
My track day thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/lakeside-track-sprint-day-second-go/
My VS brake upgrade thread - http://www.commodoresplus.com.au/forums/topic/vs-brake-upgrades/

[Phire aka GmfanParticipant VictoriaVT LS1 Wagon View build HERE Member since: March 3, 2015 Posts: 105]

There are actually two different versions of the 123s. A drift version and race version. Not entirely sure of the differences although the drift version has thicker tread and think drift version has more size options. I looked at them and had chat with couple of retailers at last year’s wtac in Sydney. Then the ad08r’s came up at a great price so went that way.

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