The Definitive Guide to Track Day Tires: Performance, Maintenance, and Longevity

Other than seat time, proper tires will have the largest impact on lap time. Putting some sticky 200 treadwear tires can really wake up an otherwise pedestrian car and prevent it from sliding or pushing through corners and going nowhere fast. If you’ve attended a few track days already and are feeling the limits of your OEM tires, it may be time to consider upgrading your rubber to increase the grip limit of your car.

If you’re still new to Track Days, then first check out my guide on how to make the most of your first track day.

What makes performance tires faster?

Tire compound

When diving into the world of automotive performance, one cannot overlook the significance of tire compounds. Performance tires are often subject to extreme conditions, requiring a grip that can handle high-speed maneuvers, sudden stops, and tight turns. The tire compound, which refers to the mixture of materials used to construct the tire, plays an instrumental role in determining these attributes. Unlike regular tires, which prioritize longevity and fuel efficiency, performance tires frequently use softer rubber compounds.

These softer compounds allow the tire to better adhere to the road, offering increased traction and responsiveness—critical for high-speed and aggressive driving scenarios. However, the trade-off is that softer compounds tend to wear out faster than their harder counterparts. As such, while performance tires provide enhanced driving dynamics, they might necessitate more frequent replacements. It’s a balancing act between durability and peak performance, and understanding this interplay is crucial for anyone looking to maximize their vehicle’s capabilities.

Tread pattern

The tread pattern of a tire is more than just an aesthetic feature; it’s a meticulously designed element that greatly impacts a tire’s behavior on the road. For performance tires, tread patterns are specifically engineered to maximize grip, reduce hydroplaning, and enhance handling at high speeds.

Unlike the symmetrical, deep grooves found on many standard tires designed for water dispersion and all-season use, performance tires often sport asymmetrical or directional patterns (though, this is starting to change in the 200 Tread Wear category, e.g. CR-S, A052, 71RS). These unique designs serve to rapidly evacuate water from the central portion of the tire while optimizing rubber-to-road contact.

Furthermore, performance tires may have larger blocks of uninterrupted rubber, referred to as the “contact patch,” to ensure maximum grip during acceleration, braking, and cornering. However, these aggressive tread patterns might produce more road noise and may not fare as well in snowy or icy conditions. In essence, the tread pattern on performance tires is a product of purposeful design choices tailored for precise, high-performance driving experiences.

Sidewall stiffness

The sidewall is the part of the tire that bridges the tread to the bead, and its rigidity—or lack thereof—can dramatically influence a vehicle’s handling characteristics. Performance tires often feature stiffer sidewalls compared to their regular counterparts. This added stiffness translates to a more immediate and direct response when steering, which is indispensable during high-speed maneuvers or spirited driving. A stiffer sidewall reduces the tire’s tendency to flex or “roll” under cornering forces, ensuring consistent contact with the road and thus enhancing grip. While this attribute is a boon for performance and precision, it often comes with a trade-off: a firmer ride. The enhanced rigidity can transmit more road imperfections to the vehicle’s cabin. Nevertheless, for enthusiasts and those prioritizing driving dynamics, the benefits of sidewall stiffness in performance tires far outweigh the drawbacks.

Heat resistance

Heat generation and management are central considerations in the design of performance tires. As these tires engage with the road under high speeds, aggressive cornering, or prolonged usage, they naturally produce and accumulate heat. Unlike standard tires, performance tires are constructed with advanced compounds and materials that have a higher resistance to heat. This resistance is vital for several reasons. Firstly, excessive heat can degrade the structural integrity of the tire, leading to reduced lifespan or even sudden failures. Secondly, a tire’s grip characteristics can change with temperature fluctuations. Performance tires, with their superior heat resistance, aim to maintain consistent grip levels even as temperatures rise, ensuring predictable handling and optimal traction throughout a drive.

Weight reduction

Weight plays an intrinsic role in the dynamics of a vehicle. When it comes to performance tires, manufacturers constantly innovate to reduce tire weight while maintaining or even enhancing their strength and reliability. There are several advantages to this weight reduction. Firstly, a lighter tire can help reduce a vehicle’s overall unsprung weight—the weight not supported by the suspension. This results in quicker suspension response and improved handling, allowing the car to react more nimbly to road imperfections and driver inputs. Additionally, reduced tire weight can lead to better acceleration and braking performance. With less rotational mass to contend with, the vehicle’s power can be more efficiently translated to forward movement, and brakes can stop the car in shorter distances.

What does treadwear rating mean?

Tread wear rating serves as a valuable metric for consumers seeking to gauge the longevity of a tire. Instituted by the Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) system, this numerical rating offers a comparative measure of a tire’s expected wear rate under controlled conditions. A tire with a tread wear rating of 200, for instance, is predicted to last twice as long as a tire with a rating of 100, when tested under the same conditions. It’s essential to understand, however, that these numbers don’t provide an exact mileage expectation.

200 treadwear tires tend to be the most popular category in performance driving, with many manufacturers competing for sales and constantly innovating at this rating level.

What tire should I upgrade to?

If you’re a novice driver

If this is your first time at the track then it’s best to stick with the tires that came with your car. It’s extremely rare for OEM tires to be the limiting factor for your learning when you’re approaching track days with a blank canvas.

However, there are a few things you can consider with safety in mind:

• Ensure that there is ample tread remaining
• Ensure that the tires are holding pressure appropriately
• Consider adding some tire pressure to prevent sidewall rollover

If you’re an intermediate driver

I’ll define an intermediate driver as someone who has done 3-5 track days and are signed off for solo driving.

As an intermediate driver, your focus should continue to be track time to build consistency. You don’t want to be thinking too much about tire wear or min-maxing optimal tire and alignment setup. With this in mind, you want a sticky tire that prioritizes consistency (minimal drop-off when outside of operating window) and longevity.

Considering these needs, there’s really nothing better than the Hankook RS-4. There’s a reason why these are the favorites among grassroots endurance racing teams — they last forever and don’t drop off with extended sessions (up to 8 hours at a time!).

A newer tire in this category would be the Continental Extreme Contact Force. From what I can gather, these have similar properties to the Hankook RS-4 and perhaps a higher peak grip. Since they are new, they are more difficult to source and command a higher price point (like-for-like sizes are about 40% more expense).

If you’re an advanced driver

If you’ve been tracking for a while, chances are you’ve got into the habit of chasing lap times to measure your progress. At this point you’re also likely to be up the curve on optimizing your alignment to make the most of your tires and you know how to listen to your tires when you’ve been pushing too hard.

What tires should I use in the wet?

When it comes to tracking in the wet, you’re usually working on car control and less focused on lap times. Most performance tires will work fine in a pinch but there are a few things to consider:

• Do you have sufficient tread left? Some performance tires can basically turn into a ‘slick’ tire (flat contract patch with no tread remaining) and still be very fast in the dry. These should be avoided in the wet as you’ll most certainly aquaplane.
• Are you running the tires in the intended direction?

That being said, some drivers do use rain-specific tires for the track. When looking at D.O.T. compliant tires, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tends to be a popular pick for superb wet driving capabilities.

Summary table

Category	Tire	Notes
Max performance	Nankang CR-S	Heavier, softer sidewall, affordable
Max performance	Yokohama Advan A052	Highest peak grip, expensive, low life
Max performance	Bridgestone 71RS	Newer, slight edge in wet
Endurance	Hankook Ventus RS-4	Super long lasting for practice laps or enduro
Hybrid / Wet	Michelin Pilot Sport 4S	Great hybrid street and occasional track tire, amazing wet performance