I have a question for you guys. My TT is a weekend car along with seeing about 3-4 track days per year. My question is...is it worth it for me to invest in some cup tires and slap them on my OEM wheels and use those for the track or should I continue using my 19 inch Cargraphic wheels with Contis?

 

IMHO...you would be better off spending the money on safety...better seats..harness...roll bar...you don't want the seats/harness without some roll protection...but you might lose passenger access to your rear seats (except for little guys/gals) because of the bar...with cup tires the cornering speeds you will be able to achieve will have you sliding all over the place in the stock seat/belts not to mention the lack of protection shud you come in contact with anything at speed...if you want to track your car safety shud be job one...then wheels/tires...good luck

 

Do you want to go faster and not slide all over the place on the track? If the answer is yes you need track tires. But harnesses are also great so you are not trying to hold onto the steering wheel. You don't need a rollbar you can use a harness bar.

 

don't like to disagree with buddyg...just be aware that in a car without roll protection that harness may take your life not save it

 

Chuck disagree with me if you want, why would the harness bar take your life?

 

Think about a rollover where the roof caves in and you are strapped completely upright in your seat with harnesses. With a 3 pt your body is designed to roll into the center of the car to avoid being crushed. IMO I would never strap on a harness until you have at least a 4pt cage, harness bars are completely unsafe. Pick up some track rubber for you stock wheels and a GT3 seat for extra support and have fun!

 

If I had it to do all over again, and only had a very limited budget I would buy the Michelin Pilot cup tires first and foremost. I think they offer the larges bang for buck of any upgrade. That said you may not want to drive them every day on the street, but I know some folks that do.

 

Turbo Twist wheels are cheap, and I'd recommend doing what I did...

Buy a set of banged up wheels off the board and have a set of MPSCs mounted. Keep them in a cool, dark place and bolt them on the week of the track event.

I'm with others here who have commented about safety gear. Of course I'm the geek in the paddock with the fire suit and the HANs device too, but hey, we can replace cars, but duplicating people hasn't gotten gov't approval yet!

You can get a DAS Sport or Tequip roll bar used for between $500-800, and a pair of harnesses for about $300 (Unless you go with teamtechs). Add the hardware needed to bolt the harnesses to some decent seats, plus the cost of the seats and you're set. However, I'd never get a set of MPSCs before upgrading the safety gear... Because when you bolt them on, your speeds go up, and the risk becomes greater... Just that simple.

Mike

 

If you guys think MPSCs are sticky, You'll lose your minds if you ever go with a "real" slick, like a hoosier or Pirelli. MPSCs are still a street tire by track day standards.

Mike

 

I agree - for me it would be:

1. Dedicated track wheels with MPSC if you want to drive some distance or Hoosiers etc if you want the best
2. Proper brake set up
3. accurate suspension set up
4. Good quality driver education
5. Race seat to get your mind off just hanging on
6. Harness for extra safety and more (your) body control
7. Track oriented after market suspension
8. Only after all the above should you start chasing more power/torque
9. After you have done every mod that can be done - buy a race car and go racing

Once you start down the list you quickly reach the point of no return - just ask my wife!