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Get Some Sticky Tires
Tires by far are the biggest contributor to finding more cornering force. By bolting on a set of gumball tires, you can make the biggest possible single net gain in cornering power in minutes. Generally, putting the widest tires and wheels that will fit inside your wheel wells without rubbing is the way to go. Specing out an ultra-high performance tire is also important. Most of these tires can perform decently during track days and are good for autocross in SCCA's ST street classes.
If you are doing track events, autocrossing or are just plain nuts and simply have to have the most grip possible, you can try a set of DOT approved racing tires. Some of these tires are nearly useable as everyday driving tires while others grip almost like racing slicks and last about the same length of time. Below is a chart which categorizes these tires. Note that this is somewhat subjective and there is some overlap here.
Sticky Ultra High Performance Street Tire | Race Tire, Nearly Streetable, Long Wearing, Many Heat Cycles
| Race Tire, Sticky Medium Wearing, Medium Heat Cycle
| Race Tire, Really Sticky, Fast Wearing, Low Heat Cycles
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| Yokohama Advan Neova AD008 | Hankook Z214 C31 | Hankook Z214 C51, C71 | Hankook Z214 C91 |
Nitto NT05 | Toyo RA-1 | Toyo 888R | Hoosier A6, R6 |
Falken RT-615 | Nitto NT01 | Kumho Ecsta 700 | Kumho Ecsta 710 |
Kumho XS KU36 | Yokohama A048R | Goodyear GS-CS | |
Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 | Michelin Pilot Sport Cup | BFG G-Force R1 | |
Bridgestone Pontenza RE11 | Kumho Victoracer V700 | ||
Avon Tech RA | |||
Pirelli Pzero Corsa | |||
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11 comments
Hi.. This is a very informative article. Thanks for writing it. I am a student trying to learn about vehicle dynamics. I have a doubt in this article… When the example of the monster truck is given regarding the weight of the unsprung mass, the statement “For the suspension to work well, the ratio of sprung to unsprung weight must be kept as low as possible” seems contradictory. Is this a mistake or have I misunderstood it?
If the tire’s weight is high, the suspension doesn’t work well.
Ok.. Thanks
Thank you so much Mike,
For sharing those precious informations. I’m a racer and I’m actually setting up a Nissan Sentra B13 that’s powered by an SR20VE with N1 cams coupled to an SR16VE transmission. I’m debating on using 17″ wheels with 225/50/17 or 15″wheels with 205/50/15.
The track is 2.3km long with lots of in field sections and only 2 straight lines basically, one of 250 meters and the other one is 400 meters.
I’m racing against a bunch of Honda civics with B20 engines.
Now, with the 17″ setup, the car will sit higher to the ground compared to the 15″, but the tires are wider. The shorter gearing ratio with the 15″ should be a plus for acceleration, but the extra grip of the 17″ from my understanding should be better for braking and turning. The 15″ are lighter so less unsprung weight.
Sorry for the long and detailed post but I really need your input.
Thank you.
Since there are no optional gear ratios for the Nissan transmission, it’s 15″ wheels unless you are running slicks and need more brake. Your track might not be too hard on brakes.
Thanks Mike,
we are using street tires for the class I’m racing. So you don’t think that the extra grip provided by the wider 225/50/17 tires would make a big difference when braking and turning on that track compared to the 205/50/15?
Why don’t you run wider 15″s?
The class doesn’t allow wider 15″s.
Well that sucks.
Hi Mike, I am a student, I am curious to know if there is an ideal sprung to unsprung mass ratio that works well.
You want the unsprung weight to be as low as posible.