I use a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cups at the track for DEs. The current set, my first, seem to have reasonable tread left. That said, they have become quite greasy feeling. Both understeer and oversteer have materially increased and while they tend to slide around in a predictable way it seems like I have lost the majority of the grip.

These tires have probably been heat cycled about 35 times. So, to be clear, that is ~35 DE sessions of 26-30 minutes each (advanced run group, generally solo).

I had heard that the MPSCs begin to degrade from about the 18th cycle so if these are "dead" I guess I've gotten my money's worth out of them...about one season of 6 DEs.

Any thoughts here?

 

Getting 35 sessions out of them sounds pretty good to me.

I've switched to MSPC from Toyo R888s and the only thing I can recommend is to monitor your tire pressure very closely.

I run mine 33 front 35 rear hot. Even 1-2 psi more in the rear will make the tail very loose.

I bleed them after I come in from every session and after about the second time, I dont have to let any more air out as they heat up right to 33/35 on the track and stay there.

 

Thanks for that feedback. I've been running them 31-37 hot which seems like a decent set-up. Will try 35 rear and see what that's like.

Just got back from two days at Thunderbolt (fun if you haven't been and only like 130 miles from NYC) and going to the Glen this weekend. Switching over to the PZeros as it looks like rain.

Where did you get the R888s around us?

 

Couldn't find anyone that locally carried them so I just bought them through 1010tires.com.

Personally I think the R888s are worse than the MPSC, they hydro-plane much faster, they have tremendous road noise (I mean the tires are louder than the stock exhaust), and I feel like they provide less feedback than the Michelins.

Definitely not switching back to them.

I actually have a set of rears with like 1 track day on them if anyone is looking, stock sizing.

 

37 is too hot. The Michelin spec sheets on Tire Rack call for 30 psi hot. I run just a tad over

 

Eclou - so you run about ~30 hot rear...will try that. What about front hot?

 

I run just a tad over 30 front and rear. I make adjustments based on the pyrometer though. I try to get even temps across the tread. The "30" is a starting point, but getting to 37 will make the rear feel like skates

 

That's interesting, I'll try running them lower than 33/35, maybe 31/33 and see how it goes.

 

Eclou, I am going to run the P Zero Rossos at WGI this weekend given it looks like rain one of the two days....same logic apply there? TIA.

 

sounds good to me

 

My setup is similar to yours, I run the cups full time now, street and track, rain or shine, no issues whatsoever. I've gotten about 5 track days out of them(~20+sessions), they have held up pretty well. I had noticed them getting a bit greasy last week at lightning(better than tbolt). I was running 33/35 there, but I have been as low as 30fr/32r, again with a pyrometer. When I was over 35 rear I had a spike in the mid tread on pyro, let some air out, significantly improved. I'm now near the wear bars after 5k miles street and plenty of track. I'm ordering a fresh set this winter for sure, it's a compromise but it sure makes my track prep easy, no more brake pads/rims/tires/bypass pipes. All you need is a tire gauge and a folding chair!

 

not sure what pressures keep the Rossos happy. There may be a reference on Tire Rack for a starting point? I would try mid 30's to be safe if there is no contrary documentation