I want to go to track tires ,I may have a shot at some gte 3 19" wheels, I know the Michelin cups are available ,i would like to have a choice but Nitto stop at 18" , anyone have other track tires vendors ,Cups are $$$$$. for DE's

 

Toyo R888. I've been using 18 inch wheels with Nittos this year, but bought a set of used lobster forks (going to powder coat them black) in 19 to try next season. I'm planning to try the R888, and I've read all the negative posts about them, but if something else comes along I may go that route instead. My issue with the nittos is that I want the wider rear size like 295 (not available) but my 18 wheels can't take the nitto wide size so I had to get wheels anyway. Prices of 19 track tires are a bit higher than 18s, but not enough to scare me off, and I'm assuming more choices will become available over time in both sizes.
The Michelin's are too expensive IMO to burn on track weekends, and I suspect the new Pirellis will also be dear, if they're even available by spring. But I'm kinda cheap that way.

 

Pirelli Corsa System
Hoosier R6

It is only a matter of time before others start to come around.

 

Hoosier R6
Mich Sport Cups when it is wet or can't get Hoosiers to track - I drive car to track.

On track, try both at lower pressures than recommended by manufacturer, you'll be glad you did.

 

You use the MPSC's in the wet? Wow, I wouldn't dare use them, I find them almost as bad as the R6.

 

I don't have separate track wheels so I went with sport cups. I ran Daytona this past weekend and they were great.

 

I wouldn't drive aggressively with them in the wet, but at least you can drive whereas the R6 is a huge problem with no water dispersion tread at all.

They're OEM on the GT3 and the GT2, so they have to have some sort of wet capability.

 

I have heard that Porsche has a warning with them not to drive in the rain with them. I have a set and they are OK for summer (dry and warm) street usage, but I would burn a set up in two to three track days. We get a lot of rain in the PNW and most guys that only want one set of tires use the Toyo 888. Right now I just use my MPS2 for the wet days, and the Hoosier R6's for the dry. I will look at tires in the spring, but if nothing new happens, I will get a set of 888's for the wet days.

 

Remember the 19' Michelin Sport Cups are not the real cups in r-compound rubber. If you want some drivable to and fromn the track real sticky ture r-comp tires in 19" go with Toyo R888. If you have 18's like I use the R888's are great and so are the Michelin Cups in 18" too.

 

I use the Cups as street tires and on the track when I don't have a way to get Hoosiers to the track. I drive them in the rain instead of the Hoosiers primarily because it is my other choice. I have read many say Cups are terrible in rain and I certainly agree PS2s are better in wet -Sport Cups hydroplane easily on standing or streaming water. But, last track outing had 2 days of rain and pretty much only cars with Hoosier rains were passing me. I take it very easy the first couple laps, learning where the water is puddling or streaming on the track. Then I pick it up, but am very careful around standing/streaming water - I go off line and around puddles, keep wheel straight / don't brake or accelerate aggressively in standing or streaming water and rest of track is fine. I also typically drive 1 gear higher than normal to avoid spinning the wheels on acceleration or breaking the rear loose with engine braking when coming off the throttle.

Skip Barber Advanced Car Control Clinic really helped me - spend a day spinning and sliding their cars and you can really get more comfortable with the whole slip/slide thing, as well as improve your prevention and recovery skills. Had 8 rain days on Cups this season and drove every session - the experience really helps - a lot of people sit it out when it rains... you don't improve your wet driving skills that way.

Still, I as mentioned above, I agree PS2s are better/safer in really wet conditions, especially on the highway. On the track, you have the advantage of knowing where the puddles and streams are after a couple laps and can adjust your driving - on the highway you don't usually go through the same spot 100 times in a day so you don't really get to adjust your driving spot by spot - on the highway, I just slow down (a lot if there are puddles and streams).

As far as wear - I keep pretty close track of consumables and find I get 16-18 track days out of Sport Cups (1 1/2 - 2 hours/day) in advanced run groups - plus I drive to the tracks averaging 300+ mile round trips. I did kill a set of front Sport Cups in 2 days before I got GT3 control arms allowing a lot more negative camber - I originally tried to get by with maximum negative camber available with the stock front control arms - that was a mistake, I learned sometimes you have to spend money to save money.

 

If you can afford and transport dedicated rain wheels and tires I would say go for the Hoosier Rains.

 

My buddy has them, and I am pondering the idea of getting them. The big problem is that means a second set of 18" wheels, making 4 sets for this car. My shed looks like a tire shop, I have 18 tires or wheel tire combo's in there right now.

As for transporting, no problem, I have that nice 18' trailer that has a box on it that can carry 6 wheels, as well I can carry another 4 in the back of the Touareg if needed.

 

I guess the surfaces of your tracks are much more forgiving, the most I have out a set of R Comps is 8 days, and that was a set of Yokohama 048's. The tracks I drive, especially Seattle (Pacific Raceways) is a killer on tires, especially T8, looks like a cheese grader!