Fellas,

I need *help* re: recommendations for a dedicated track tire. In process of picking up 18" OZ Alleggerita's from Tire Rack- unfortunately, it doesn't look like the Pirelli Corsa and Michelin Sport Cup's have an appropriate 18" fitment (that match the rolling diameter of the OEM 19's).

What else would you all recommend? Toyo's? Anything besides Hoosiers?

Thanks!

 

If you search it has been discussed quite a bit, but there are a lot of options including Toyo R888, Nitto Nt-01, Michellin Pilot sport cups, Toyo RA-1 just to name a few. I'm sure there are more that I missed, but hope this helps. I recently picked up a set of the Nt-01's very cheap because they are a discontinued tire.

 

I use Toyo Proxes R888s. They are inexpensive, work very well, never get "greasy" and are predictable at the limit. Downsides: a little on the loud side and somewhat heavy (vs. MPSCs). I find them better than the Corsas by all performance measures on the track (not wet street, but dry track). MPSCs are very light and have excellent grip for a street tire, but are a way too expensive IMO for regular and hard track duty. You can buy 2 sets of Toyos for 1 set of MPSC/Corsas.

Tires I haven't tried, but you should look at: Nitto NT01's, Toyo RA1's and Falken RT-615K's.

Hope this helped. Let us know what you go with.

I hear those Alleggeritas are pretty light and inexpensive. Any thought as to durability? Aren't they cast metal vs. forged? Thanks.

 

Track dedicated? Go with Hoosiers..... Damon stocks them at tire rack as well. Nothing else comes close.

Good combo... I got my Allegerita's from Tire Rack as well... awesome guys, great product. Now go get the Hoosiers and be done with it.... they make the Pilots and the Corsa's feel like cheap tires.... really. The single best mod you will ever ever make to your GT3....

 

I have the Allegeritas and use Hoosiers. Don't try to match OEM diameter - one of the advantages of going 18" is the slightly smaller diameter tires effectively lower your gear ratio, improving acceleration at expense of top speed - but no one gets any where near rated top speed on a typical track anyway. I run 245/35-18 F and 315/30-18 R and car handles great with no ABS issues.

 

+1. these guys aren't kidding - when you are doing playing around and decide to get serious, you will go with the Hoosiers in the exact sizes above. Your car will be about an inch lower in ride height and will handle like a go kart.

 

I'd do Hoosiers if I didn't have to drive to the track and back on my track tires.

I'm currently using R888's and they do a nice job. I do feel that they go away after 5+ hard laps of getting heated up though.

BTW, I have the OZ wheels and I'm very happy I did it. First time out in the new car and new wheels I wacked a leading edge of a track curb harder than I've ever hit anything and there was zero damage. If I hit something harder than I did that time then I deserve the ding.

 

Are you running the A6 or R6 Hoosier?

 

R6 for the track

 

Anybody ever try the Kumho Ecsta (KU 36)??

 

I would be cautious in a 997 with regards to tire diameters and the difference between front to back. From what I understand they need to be within 5% of each other and have a bias towards a taller rear. If I'm not mistaken the OEM rears are almost an inch taller than the fronts. The 996 was even front to back. There's a bunch of threads in the 997GT3 section on Rennlist re this topic.

 

Good point. If you calculate the size ratios F&R of tire sizes recommended in post #5 above to stock sizes you will see both are reduced proportionately so ABS is OK, theoretically and from actual on track experience - that is why it is better to use 35 series in front as opposed to 40 series some are running.

 

18" corret sizing would be 245-40-18 and 305-35-18. this will give you the same diamter as the stock 19". Like Obsessed mentioned you can go smaller diameter and effectively lower the car and drop the overall gearing ratio but if you want to do this I would run 255-35-18 and 315-35-18. This will keep the same diameter ration from front to rear so ABS and PSM are not affected. Now with saying this I was talked out of using the 255-315 18" sizing on my 997 version car by Bob Woodman who has a nice racing history and is one of the top race tire suppliers around.

 

The best Michelin .
Pirelli slicks second.

 

on wide body 997 you can fit 255 adn 335 ;-)
i do that on .2RS