can someone compare the Corsas to the Cups on track?

The only reason i would use the R compounds on the street is that i am way too lazy to change wheels all the time. Also the car feels so much better with the Fikses I never want to put the stockers on again.

-Steve

 

can someone compare the Corsas to the Cups on track?

I think the Cups have the edge. I say this based on my last track day at Button Willow. I was able to fly in formation with Noel for many, many laps. He is normally a bit faster than me, and our cars are almost indentical, except tires. I think it was the MPSC's that gave me the ability to stay with him lap after lap on the twistier track, when he would normally be pulling away from me at the more open Willow Springs.

(opps, forgot to mention he is using Corsa's)

 

The MPSC is a better track tire, no doubt. The PP0C is a great track tire when they are fairly new, but after a few heat cycles they get a bit hard and less sticky. Because of this they actually last a long time; they're holding up better and as long as my MPS2s.

 

If you use them for daily street use, stay away from standing water and rain.

 

so is this summary correct?

MPSC: on the track a step down from slicks/hoosiers, a step up from corsas. on the street, pick up lots of debris, do not handle water well, especially standing water.

Corsas: on the track a step down from Cups, a step up from Pilot Sports. Better with water, less debris.

The thing i'm most worried about is flat tires...i really hate getting stranded places. Will switching to the R rubber increase my chance of flats significantly enough for it to be prohibitive? Are the Corsas less prone to flats than the Cups? Which will last longer in street/track use? Are the Corsas a good enough upgrade over stock on the track to warrant the extra hassles?

Help me out guys, i'm still not sure what to do.

-Steve

 

If you're not tracking, R-compound tires are a waste of time & money. You can learn the car faster with regular street tires.

I'd get a good alignment done at Lucent in West LA, first. Sounds like for you the best tire might be the Pirelli Pzero Corsa System, which is a N-rated tire that's almost as grippy as a R-comp but with better water dispersal and treadwear. I think 315s just became available in your size...

 

Yes at $732/each for the rears!!!

 

Get a set of PS2 for the street.

 

Hahah last time I checked tires were still made out of rubber right??!?!? 732 each???

 

YES!!! I have endured more leaks during the last 18 mos with my MPSCs than the prior 20 years with non R compound tires. I also had a couple of tires fail for questionable reasons, but Michelin refused to warranty them. I have purchased a half dozen rear tires far short of being worn out. I finally found a tire retailer willing to sell me a warranty for the MPSCs. Of course, I havent had any problems since purchasing the warranty.

Craig

 

For track use Cups are the way to go. Corsa is close but looses out in ultimate traction. They do last a lot longer though...

As I said previously I am going to try the Track Spec Corsa this week and will report back with my findings.

Supposedly as good as the Cup but with superior wet weather capability.

P.

 

Steve -- the Corsas will also pick up debris just as the Cups do -- it's the nature of the beast (soft compound rubber). The Corsas are significantly better than the stock GT2 Michelins for track use -- no doubt about it.

 

No surprise -- as Mr. RS pointed out, you're running the Corsas at much too high HOT pressures for track use. Most experts recommend that the hot presures for these tires be around 30-32 front and the rears at 32-34 lbs. Ideal tire temp is 185 degreesF, with a maximum of 200 degrees. You also need a minimum of 2 degrees negative camber for the tires to work and wear their best at the track. According to reliable sources, 3.5 in the front and 3 in the back is the maximum negative camber recommended for Corsas on Porsche 911's. Hope this helps.

 

i'm gonna hold off on anything for a while. The increased risk of flats is not something i want to deal with right now. Maybe when my M5 comes in December i'll be more inclined to throw on the Cups

 

Mr. RS and Jack(LA),

Thanks for the observations gents. I too had info to run them at 32 hot front, but upped it to 34 after half a day. Not sure why the rears are at same pressure though. Granted I have 315 instead of 235 to work with in the rear, but with the weight distribution of the rear engine I was confident that they needed to be run higher. I'm likely wrong and will heed your advice.

However, most of my issues have been with the front sidewalls. Guess I'll zip it till I've tried 30 all round a couple of times...

Thanks,

Sean