Track tyres, Need grippy from cold
 

Hi all,

A mate and I compete in a sprint series in an MX5 (don't hate me, it's cheap fun) We have stripped it bare and done a many performance mods to it (intake, exhaust, brakes, coilover roll bars etc. etc.) We currently run Nankang NS2-R as these were proclaimed to be amazing track tyres. When you get them warm they are great... But running from cold like we do they are not great.

We are not allowed to run tyre warmers so that is out of the window. What we require I assume is a very grippy tyre from cold. Possibly just a very soft compound tyre!?

Any suggestions are welcome

Size we run is 205/45R16. We have considered running it on 215/40R16. This will slightly reduce the rolling radius and give us a wider tyre footprint. Thoughts?

thanks,

I use Yokohama Ad08r and not once had a moment where they have lost grip,

R1R are a good tyre for them, wet n dry grip so must be decent when cold.
Are your ns2r 180 compound or 120?

NS2R's are the 120 'track' compound. Don't get me wrong, when warm they are fantastic.. But with each sprint session lasting around 1:20 they have little chance to get to a decent temperature.

Doing a track day before the next round, maybe a proper scrub in will see them shine.

Lower tyre pressure on start as when warm they will expand as the ns2r have a very stiff side wall

Toyo 888's ideal on something like the Mx5 they wont overheat and very soft. they are 100 ware rate

Agreed, we have run them as low as 20psi (when cold) but this made little to no difference. We were not keen to go any lower as we noticed a bit of scrubbing on the edges where the tyre must have been rolling under.

Thanks, But I am fairly confident overheating is not the issue given the short stints it does in each session. As I say a 1:20 point to point is hardly long enough to get anything warm tbh.

They have good grip from cold too..

AD08r

bit off topic but if you want a set of these wheels and tyres

http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/genuine-mazda-alloy-wheel-tyre-package-mk1-25-p-2245.html

Ive got a set that saw 2000 miles and are spotless

Thanks for the offer but probably not.. We already have another set of wheels with Rainsport 3's on them.

How much are you looking for out of interest?

No worries, I keep meaning to clean the dust off them and stick them up on eBay, your thread just reminded me about them.

£150 collected will take them, I'm in Essex near dartford crossing, or I think courier would be another £30 on top

My biggest concern is the size of the wheels. The mk2.5 sport runs 274mm/270mm discs and a 16" wheel to accommodate it. No idea if a 15" would go over them tbh.

Most 15" will fit, I think the issue is more the spokes and calliper, so may need to space some out.
I had some buddy club p1 sf 15x8 et32 and they fitted fine on mine, they are such a light wheel and I think I'll end up getting a set for the scoob in a bigger size. If you run 205 50 15 you'll achieve near enough the same rolling radius and tyres are cheap.

I've done nearly a full season of sprinting and 2 time attack events in my Spec C you won't go wrong with 888's and the new ones are outstanding. I used AD08r for the first have of the season but realised after one sprint lap they were still cold! The 888's are better for one lap sprinting although the 888's in time attack let go after 3-4 hot laps and needed a couple of cool down laps to come back. Hope my experience this season helps.

Checking on Toyo website they do not do the R888's in our size :(
http://www.toyo.co.uk/tire/pattern/proxes-r888

Choice seems very limited at 205/45 16
https://www.tyreleader.co.uk/car-tyres-205-45-16/

As I say we have toyed with the idea of messing with the tyre sizes. 215/40 16 would slightly reduce the rolling radius and give a larger footprint but also probably put the cost up..
Seems at the stock size Nankang and Federal are the only choices really..

Dunlop Direzza's?