I,m looking to do at least a few HPDE's this upcoming summer and have some questions about what kind of tires would be good. I'm looking to mount them on OEM AP1 rims and want to be able to drive too and from the track which is about 100 miles each way for pocono and NJMP. So basically, I'll just make a list out of what I want from these tires..

1. Best size for OEM AP1 rims
2. Able to drive 100 miles too and from the track
3. Sticky
4. Decent tread wear

Any help would be appreciated!!

 

Still a little vague.

Especially "sticky" and "decent tread wear."

I think most people would say get AP2 wheels or 4 rear AP2 wheels if you're on a budget.

Many more tire brand and size choices in 17".

 

RE-11

Why are you sticking with sock ap1 wheels? Not that there's anything wrong with them, but I went with RPF01s which are very affordable.

 

Well, i just picked up a nice 03 s2k and it came with the oem rims in good condition. My plan is to keep the ap1 rims for the track only and pick up some rpf1s for the street. Money is a little tight right now so maybe next year I will retire the ap1 rims, make the rpf1s for track only use and get another set for the street. But the RE-11s are good? what sizes would you recommend and where is a good place to get them? Thanks!

 

The RE-11s are probably the best street/track tire out there. The Yokohamas are probably a tad faster on the track, but give up ride comfort and increased noise. The third option is the Hankook RS-3s. Very very fast tire. I have no knowledge on their tread wear or ride though.

For reference, I'm running RE-11s in 245/40/17 on all four, eight 20-25 minute track sessions, 11k miles, and I'm only half way worn down. I'm getting exceptionally good tread wear consider how sticky these things are.

IMO, if you want a maximum performance tire that's civil on the street but still hauls ass around a road course, the RE-11 is hard to beat.

 

But on a 16", you basically only have 205 / 225 as the only option.

On AP2 wheels, you could do 225 / 255 or 235 / 255.

On 4-rear AP2 wheels you could do 255 square.

Other options:
Star Specs and Toyo R1Rs (hate heat) and Kumho XSs (love heat).

 

If money's tight, why not run on the tires that came on the rims? HPDEs aren't races -- assuming they're decent, buying tires that are a second faster a lap won't make you a better or driver or make the experience more fun.

 

I was running Star Specs, but now switched to the RS3.

RS3s are $150 cheaper per set for 255x4. They love the heat (but hate the cold) and have about the same tread wear as the Star Specs

 

In my experience, the RS3 lasted twice as long as the XS and has just as much grip. Ultimately, the XS may edge the RS3 out for grip, but very, very marginally if at all.

I would probably run the 225 RS3 on all four AP1 rims and just run 5psi higher front tire pressure.

Your options for true stock sizes are the Direzza Star Spec, the RE11, and the AD08. Not much else is worth running IMO. Out of the true stock sizes, I would go for the Star Spec for cost reasons. With money being no issue, I'd go with the AD08.

 

If you're set on ap1 wheels, get two more rears, and bore them out, so you can run 245 square. Biggest problem is the lack of tire selection though.