2013 Track Junkie Thread
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I'm no tire expert but from strictly doing research before purchasing a set of z2's myself it really depends on what you want.
Regarding outright grip it seems like Rivals/Z2's/RS3's are in the same league. RS3's supposedly have slightly more outright grip and can take more heat than Z2's but aren't as good in the rain. Rivals I don't know.
RE11's are a very good all around tire for a street car, but you don't drive it much on the street so I'd probably skip these. They're supposed to be quiet and be very good in the rain.
Personally I'm not sure how R comps fare on the street if you need to drive to/from events.
Regarding outright grip it seems like Rivals/Z2's/RS3's are in the same league. RS3's supposedly have slightly more outright grip and can take more heat than Z2's but aren't as good in the rain. Rivals I don't know.
RE11's are a very good all around tire for a street car, but you don't drive it much on the street so I'd probably skip these. They're supposed to be quiet and be very good in the rain.
Personally I'm not sure how R comps fare on the street if you need to drive to/from events.
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I really like the Rivals aka dinosoars, they have extra rubber patches on the outsides of the tire that should hopefully help shoulder wear a little bit. I think they are pretty close to an r-comp tire. I went though brakes very fast with them.
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The new Z2s are very good too, I have those on the CR as street tires. Very predictable breakaway.
Btw I have two brand new 225/45/17 Z2s that I ordered by accident if anyone needs them.
Btw I have two brand new 225/45/17 Z2s that I ordered by accident if anyone needs them.
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With all the track days you have under your belt you are ready for them. Just keep on mind wear and tear on the car is greatly accelerated. Brake Pads go away quick.
I have been running street tires now after years of R comps, I find they get greasy after 5-8 laps and have a lot less grip, but brake pads and other parts last much much longer.
I have been running street tires now after years of R comps, I find they get greasy after 5-8 laps and have a lot less grip, but brake pads and other parts last much much longer.
I'm no tire expert but from strictly doing research before purchasing a set of z2's myself it really depends on what you want.
Regarding outright grip it seems like Rivals/Z2's/RS3's are in the same league. RS3's supposedly have slightly more outright grip and can take more heat than Z2's but aren't as good in the rain. Rivals I don't know.
RE11's are a very good all around tire for a street car, but you don't drive it much on the street so I'd probably skip these. They're supposed to be quiet and be very good in the rain.
Personally I'm not sure how R comps fare on the street if you need to drive to/from events.
Regarding outright grip it seems like Rivals/Z2's/RS3's are in the same league. RS3's supposedly have slightly more outright grip and can take more heat than Z2's but aren't as good in the rain. Rivals I don't know.
RE11's are a very good all around tire for a street car, but you don't drive it much on the street so I'd probably skip these. They're supposed to be quiet and be very good in the rain.
Personally I'm not sure how R comps fare on the street if you need to drive to/from events.
edit: So the question is, are they worth an extra $100 over Star Specs or $180 over RS-3s?
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If I was in your shoes I'd get the RS3's. Cheaper and supposed to have more grip. I read they have a very steady breakaway at the limit, even moreso than Z2's. There was a thread in the Racing subforum with someone who's run both comparing them. I went with the Z2's almost solely because of the better wet performance, since my car sees a fair amount of street time.
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Thread Starter
Community Organizer
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Maryland
Thread Starter
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From: Maryland
Originally Posted by goldenfri' timestamp='1383577361' post='22860745
Its nice to have some S2000 track regulars, hopefully you and Mike keep it up next year. I should be at the track more next year after I finish my winter project.
I am trying to decide between bolting in my hard dog roll bar or having someone like racelabz build and weld in a bar for me that could be expanded to a cage in the future. This car will be track only (but driven to events).
If I go weld in, there is no pulling the bar out and easily selling the car later if I wanted to…
Joined: Mar 2010
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I picked up an AP1 for cheap from a friend of mine that is going to be the new track car. Have lots of work to do to make it track ready.
I am trying to decide between bolting in my hard dog roll bar or having someone like racelabz build and weld in a bar for me that could be expanded to a cage in the future. This car will be track only (but driven to events).
If I go weld in, there is no pulling the bar out and easily selling the car later if I wanted to…
I am trying to decide between bolting in my hard dog roll bar or having someone like racelabz build and weld in a bar for me that could be expanded to a cage in the future. This car will be track only (but driven to events).
If I go weld in, there is no pulling the bar out and easily selling the car later if I wanted to…
A weld in bar would certainly be preferable over bolt in. If you're building a track only car I'd imagine you could always sell the chassis with bar down the road. I guess the question is how much the weld in bar would cost..
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From: Myrtle Beach
Well, a great track year has come to a close. I had a great time and attended many events this year between NASA, Trackdaze, FATT, and Mercedes Club, for a total of 16 days on track (I originally estimated 20): 8 on Summit Main, 5 on Shenandoah, 2 on NJMP Lightning, and one on Jefferson. Back in April I started in HPDE1 and my goal for the year was just to get promoted to HPDE2 (or Blue). I was soloed many of the events and by the end of the year I was in Yellow in Trackdaze, and today did HPDE2 with a recommendation from my instructor that I'd be ready for 3 soon (but I'm comfortable in 2). Along the way I had a great time in particular at the Jefferson and Trackdaze Shenandoah events because there are so many familiar faces, and at the Hyperfest event chasing Jason in the RX7, today's event chasing Mike, and Oct Shenandoah trying to run from David (which failed 
). I even worked on my heel-toe the last couple events and am getting slightly more comfortable with that. The weather has been adequate or gorgeous almost every time as well. I only spun twice this year (once in dry, once in wet), although I feel I am pushing it a good deal harder now toward the end of the year. However, I can still see lots of room for improvement with the requisite track time. Already looking forward to next year! 
). I even worked on my heel-toe the last couple events and am getting slightly more comfortable with that. The weather has been adequate or gorgeous almost every time as well. I only spun twice this year (once in dry, once in wet), although I feel I am pushing it a good deal harder now toward the end of the year. However, I can still see lots of room for improvement with the requisite track time. Already looking forward to next year!