CiderBoy

Here's the situation.

Last year I acquired a set of brand new OEM 16" wheels. These are shod with brand new tyres. The fronts are S03s and the backs are P6000s.

The intention was to keep my current wheels (still in good nick) as track day tyres and use the new ones every day wheels.

I currently have S02's all round on my original 02 wheels and have a track day coming up at the end of April. I was hoping to last until then, but looking at the fronts today they are already kaput and I'm not sure I'll enjoy the track day with the front end over steering all the time.

Q1) Will the worn front S02s ruin the track day?

I don't particulary want to use a new set of tyres on the track, but if it seems best to do this I have two options. Firstly, I could just use the new S03s I have, keep them for the track, and then get a new set of S02s for the road. Or I could use the a new set of S02 for the track and keep the S03s for the road.

More questions...

Q2) What are S03s like?

Q3) What would a S02 rear / S03 combo be like on the road?

The rears are fine and will last until the end of April where I will use up their final life on the track.

They will need replacing afterwards and I have the P6000s which are also brand new. I have to say these look awful and I'm sure there is less rubber in contact with the road which fills me with fear.

Q4) What are P6000s like on the rear? What do you think about combining them with S02/03s on the front? Are they better than S02 in the wet and therefore an good option for a winter tyre?

To be honest, I already know that I WANT S02s on the rear for the road. So I will probably keep the P6000s for the track, just to get some use out of them. I'm less worried about traction issues on the track, but am slightly concerned that this may be a fool hardy approach. The other thought is that the P6000 may be a good winter tyre?

Q5) Would using P6000s on the track prove an issue (would I notice the difference in grip?)

Q6) is the P6000 worth being used as a winter tyre?

If you are still with me, thanks in advance for any opinions. To be honest, writing this has led me to a conclusion but I would still be interested in any advice and answers to the questions above.

FWIW I think I will.

- Get some new front S02s for road use and use the S03s for the track.
- Trash the S02s on the rear on the track. Replace with new S02s for the road in the summer and keep the P6000s for future track/winter use. I also have another set of rear S02s with some life in that would also be good for the track.

Cheers

Nick

Nick Graves

Yeah.

Trash the wrong tyres on the track ASAP.

Get S-02s.

Then trash those too!

AquilaEagle

That must be the longest post on tyres I ever read, and it sounds like self therapy as you have decided.

The thing that concerns me is you saying you are less bothered about traction on the track Remind me not to be anywhere near you at Bedford.

trinis2001

P6000s are luxury car tyres and you will run off the road with them. Besides big contact patch, S02s get their phenominal grip from their near race slick treadwear of 140.

I temporarily had Michelin Pilot Primacy tyres on my car (brand new, correct sizes) and they were useless. I thingk P6000s would be the same.

trinis2001

I would be too (less bothered on the track) because it is on the road where you can kill innocent by-standers. The other ppl. on the track with you are already exposing themselves to the possibility of a crash. Is there some sort of guideline/ scrutineering that would stop someone with a "dangerous" setup from being allowed on at a track day?

simonprelude

I have read so many posts on so many forums of my tyres are coming to the end of their life so I will use them on a track.

I usually run tyres in for 500 - 1000 miles on road and then use them on track.

Then buy new ones and repeat the above

But trash the new non SO2's on track and replace with SO2's.

CiderBoy

I know, know.

The thing is, as well as what's on the car, my garage has :

- 4 wheels, with the S03s and P6000s
- 4 part worn S02 rear tyres
- 2 part worn S20 front tyres

Trying to work out ho to make best use of them is not easy!

Re the track comment. On the track you are holding the car on the edge of breaking traction and get the car around corner as you feel this. Does not really matter where that breaking point is - you still have fun.

On the road you can't balance the car on the edge like this, so I'd rather have more traction there for when I've pushed too hard. More things/people to hit.

CiderBoy

New plan may be to put brand new S02s on the new wheels. Put the non-S02s on the old wheels for Bedford.

I've then have two additional spare rear S02s for the track (the ones on there at the moment).

Thanks!

CiderBoy

Thought as much. The compound feels a lot harder than S02s as well.

Cheers

MB

My rear S02's have lasted 5 months (6000 miles?)

MB