I just completed my second track day, first of the season and first after all my mods. Car performed great but I realized I have way too much car for my skill level. I'm really going to be concentrating on driver training going forward and less on improving my car BUT


My instructor mentioned I should get better track tires. I have Toyo 4 and they wear great but not that grippy. I am thinking about buying a set of wheels and tires just for the track. Is this the way to go? Thoughts on what to buy? In particular, my instructor mentioned getting 18s instead of the 19s I have and getting something wider.


Also, he mentioned picking up a set of pads just for the track. Is this the way to go or should I just have one pair that I use and just replace when necessary?


I'll get a youtube up soon of a few laps and you can see what a great track PIR is if you've haven't been there.

 

Your car sounds pretty powerful! I have done about 20 track weekends. It wasn't until my last track day that I had some Toyo 888's on the car. I was told to drive on my street tires in order to experience how the car reacted at greater than hwy speeds. All that sliding from turn to turn helped me learn how to collect the car......which really led to some fun stints.What concerns me about your post is you are saying your capabilities are lower than you thought, which honestly is a good admission instead of being the guy that drives "flat out" or atleast thinks he does.

Personally I would not go to track tires so soon because they can give you false security. Things change too fast while at speed and when you think your abilities just saved you it is really the tires. And something else to think about is with a good set of street tires will be slower than track tires. Slow is good when you are learning because it is easier to correct the yourself and the car.

For brake pads I would get some track pads....Pagids or PFC's.

Pete

 

I think the Toyo 4's are all-season tires which really aren't suitable for the track. Move to a "max. summer performance" or "extreme summer performance" tire and you and your car will be much happier (so will your instructor). See TireRack for selection and definitions if you're not familiar with them. No need to get an extra set of wheels as tires in either category work fine on the street unless you drive in snow/slush. I would stay away from an r-comp (race compound) tire as they will not give you as much feedback approaching the limits and when they let go, it happens all of a sudden, relatively speaking. And they can be a problem in wet conditions although that varies by tire. Work up to those in a season or two. Also, there's no particular need to get another set of wheels as your current set will be fine. Should you get a set of 18's, you will likely need a realignment which is the easy part but then your 19" wheels could be compromised. Tough to run different wheel sizes with one alignment although it's possible but unless you want to ditch the 19's completely, I'd stick with them. There are plenty of good alternative tire selections in that size.

Porsche oem brakes are very, very good. Until your skills are refined/smooth enough such that you don't activate the abs system under your heaviest braking loads, you've got enough brake - it's the tires that are slipping and more brake will just exacerbate the situation. So until you reach that point oem pads are fine. Do however invest in high grade (temperature) brake fluid to avoid boiling and brake fade.

Final recommendation: Take all the $$$ that you just saved and invest in track time and (professional) instruction. The improvements you make to the "nut behind the wheel" will be the best money you can spend. Have Fun!

 

awesome feedback guys. keep it coming. I really appreciate it.