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Looking for a good 200tw tire

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The Porsche guys like the RE 71R’s a lot. But those cars weigh 4-600 lbs less.
 

domesticpower

Track Addict
190
135
NS
I have tried Michelin PSS for several years and they are easily the best all around tire in terms of performance. The only trouble with PSS is soft sidewalls so you need a really wide tire and lots of camber to make them last up front, or square sizes to rotate often. Both would be ideal. The PS4S that replaced the PSS is supposedly better in that regard and they perform better and are similar price too. I think that should be a great tire to try if you've only been doing this a few times. Going to an RE 71R or similar tire with little experience is not great for developing skill or safety so I'd give the Michelin's some thought. :)

RE 71R will likely not last once you start pushing them to 10/10th. They were developed as an autoX tire and for lighter cars. They don't like open track or heavy cars. You are asking them to do both so they won't last. They are the stickiest tire based on local lap times at 200 tw rating, though. For what it's worth, I'm seriously considering trying them next season, but only because the 200 tw rating would put me in a lower class than anything else that has similar grip. And they likely won't last long lol.
 
76
51
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
3-5 Years
Dothan, Alabama
I have tried Michelin PSS for several years and they are easily the best all around tire in terms of performance. The only trouble with PSS is soft sidewalls so you need a really wide tire and lots of camber to make them last up front, or square sizes to rotate often. Both would be ideal. The PS4S that replaced the PSS is supposedly better in that regard and they perform better and are similar price too. I think that should be a great tire to try if you've only been doing this a few times. Going to an RE 71R or similar tire with little experience is not great for developing skill or safety so I'd give the Michelin's some thought. :)

RE 71R will likely not last once you start pushing them to 10/10th. They were developed as an autoX tire and for lighter cars. They don't like open track or heavy cars. You are asking them to do both so they won't last. They are the stickiest tire based on local lap times at 200 tw rating, though. For what it's worth, I'm seriously considering trying them next season, but only because the 200 tw rating would put me in a lower class than anything else that has similar grip. And they likely won't last long lol.

Thanks man. Based on instructor feedback, and fellow driver feedback a stickier tire would definitely help me on track. I have moved out of instructed classes with the organizations I run with. I think my main push is I just bought some wheels for a good deal and would like to start looking at what tire to wrap them in. I'm definitely gonna finish out this year with my contis and 19s. Based on how they look after my last two events this year I may squeeze another event or two on them just to get more experience before I jump to the 200tw.
 

Norm Peterson

Corner Barstool Sitter
939
712
Exp. Type
HPDE
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5-10 Years
a few miles east of Philly
Yeah idk if I'd want to be a half inch lower. I'm sure it would be okay, but haven't moved to coilovers yet so don't have that adjustability. I will probably go with a 35 anyways due to availability. To be honest I do love the meaty look of the 40 series as well.
My point was that you get the half inch of lowering without touching the suspension at all.

I've been running on the same MPSS 285/35-18's for about a dozen HPDE events, albeit that mine are mounted on 18x11's. They aren't as grippy as they once were, but they're still capable of datalogging 1.1g or a bit more as recorded on an Aim Solo, and they still have quite a lot of tread left. I just took this picture a few minutes ago, and the car does have just over half an inch of lowering in the suspension (BMR GT500 Handling springs). My sig picture was taken before the springs were swapped. Personally, I'd never go back to 27" tall tires on this car, my street-duty 265/40-18's at ~26.3" being the upper limit.

Yeah, there's a bit more tire to sheetmetal gap than lots of people seem to prefer, and the fronts do poke a little . . . but I'm the kind of guy who picks function without worrying much about satisfying other peoples' conventional appearance preferences.

On 2853518 with about half an inch of suspension lowering.JPG

FWIW, the PSS is a 300-treadwear tire, as is the PS4S. Don't let that scare you off.


Norm
 
Last edited:
76
51
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
3-5 Years
Dothan, Alabama
Oh yeah I'm not all about looks so not dead set on 275/40/18, but I do still street drive the car often. I'm lowered a bit over 2" on springs and koni yellows. I doubt the half inch would do too much to me, but still a concern as the frames of these cars sit way lower than the car looks. Which if I kept my 19s and used for dailying the car this wouldn't be a concern.

The more I look at the options out there I really don't even see many 274/40/18 tires. I'll definitely give the MPSS or MPS4S a thought though. Also have you done any rainy events on your tires? I do enjoy rainy events as a learning experience.
 

domesticpower

Track Addict
190
135
NS
Thanks man. Based on instructor feedback, and fellow driver feedback a stickier tire would definitely help me on track. I have moved out of instructed classes with the organizations I run with. I think my main push is I just bought some wheels for a good deal and would like to start looking at what tire to wrap them in. I'm definitely gonna finish out this year with my contis and 19s. Based on how they look after my last two events this year I may squeeze another event or two on them just to get more experience before I jump to the 200tw.

Good for you man! The vast majority of people I meet at the track or instruct are better off doing a couple of seasons on a decent summer tire before going to something sticky.
 

domesticpower

Track Addict
190
135
NS
Oh yeah I'm not all about looks so not dead set on 275/40/18, but I do still street drive the car often. I'm lowered a bit over 2" on springs and koni yellows. I doubt the half inch would do too much to me, but still a concern as the frames of these cars sit way lower than the car looks. Which if I kept my 19s and used for dailying the car this wouldn't be a concern.

The more I look at the options out there I really don't even see many 274/40/18 tires. I'll definitely give the MPSS or MPS4S a thought though. Also have you done any rainy events on your tires? I do enjoy rainy events as a learning experience.

I have done plenty of rainy days on PSS's. They are a phenomenal rain tire, only (slightly) better tire in the rain in my experience is Conti EC DW's but they don't hold a candle to the Michelin's in the dry and feel number. I've passed a bolt-ons & tune R35 GTR in the rain that was also driven by an instructor (although he did have a passenger so my "race weight" was a good 400-500 lb. lighter overall). Short of standing water or doing something stupid, the PSS's didn't skip a beat in the rain. I wouldn't consider the PSS's, though, because PS4S are the next gen tire to replace them. They are better in every way (based on numbers, haven't tried them myself) and cost basically the same. If you can find them in your size, go with the PS4S.

As far as RE 71R's go, I hear they are very sketchy in the rain with the side grooves worn out.
 
1,289
1,113
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
5-10 Years
Philly Metro Area
Why not upgrade to the Extreme Contact Sports in 285/40-18? They are reportedly better than the MPSS and just short of the MPS4S.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=223

I currently have the EC DWs and love them, especially in the rain and will likely upgrade to the ECS.

I would love to try the MPS4S but at just 25.9" for the 285/35 it is just too low. My current fronts at 265/40-18 are 26.3" and I am scrapping my 2014 stock front splitter on my lowered (Roush springs) car a bit too often for my tastes. I will be upgrading to the 285s on 18x10 in the front to match my rears and to get 0.7" more diameter to 27". That additional .35" may allow me to think about installing the Roush front splitter that's still in the box.
 

Bill Pemberton

0ld Ford Automotive Racing Terror
8,425
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20+ Years
Blair, Nebraska
Going to cost a bit more initially , but moving up to bigger tires ( width wise ) will help you pick up some speed and should , theoretically last a little longer with more meat holding them up ---Apex 18x10.5 or 11s gives one a wealth of 200 TWR rubber donuts to try. BFGs are about as sticky on the Autocross course, but seemed to take a bit longer before they reach the slip sliding away phase of the RE71rs.
 
76
51
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
3-5 Years
Dothan, Alabama
Forgot to update this post, but I purchased a set of used apex ec-7 18x10s with some dunlop direzza zii star specs. The tires still have a bit of life left in them so gonna run those for an event or two and see how they feel.
 

Apex Wheels

Race Proven, Street Approved
Supporting Vendor
670
1,061
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5-10 Years
Bay Area, CA
Going to cost a bit more initially , but moving up to bigger tires ( width wise ) will help you pick up some speed and should , theoretically last a little longer with more meat holding them up ---Apex 18x10.5 or 11s gives one a wealth of 200 TWR rubber donuts to try. BFGs are about as sticky on the Autocross course, but seemed to take a bit longer before they reach the slip sliding away phase of the RE71rs.

Only quoting so people don't get confused, but we do not make a 18x10.5" wheel for the Mustang.
 

Bill Pemberton

0ld Ford Automotive Racing Terror
8,425
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So...everyone get in line to get your 18x11s, ha. Then, with a spacer up front, you can slap on the new 315/18 Falkens or 315/18 BFG Rivals. The movement of Falken back into autocrossing , in a major way ,has given way to some wide rubber we can use on our Stangs. The Rivals have sizes perfect for some model years of Vipers, and again the 315 is solid for us. These are 200 TWR tires, and the Michelin PS4S is a 300 Treadwear rated donut. Great tire , but not quite as sticky and not as large.
 

Bill Pemberton

0ld Ford Automotive Racing Terror
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Blair, Nebraska
I think you will find it okay Coz, since the Falken's diameter is 25.5 inches, identical to the BFG Rival. Interestingly the Hoosier R7 is 25.6, so gotta believe the BFG and the Falken have a strong ratio for both track and street. Once you get into the 26 inch range, many feel the tires are getting too tall, imho.
 

Bill Pemberton

0ld Ford Automotive Racing Terror
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8,352
Exp. Type
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Exp. Level
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Blair, Nebraska
Interestingly the Head of Retail Sales and Marketing at Falken is am friends of mine and an avid Autocrosser. He and others were behind a strong move to make a Spec Class in SCCA, and that alone could see Falken getting more involved in the racing scene. A lot of the guys running the new Cam Class are going with the big mutha 315s, and most reports I heard from friends is they stay a bit stronger on a road course than some others before they get greasy. Always good for companies to get into Spec Tires for a series as that involvement almost always trickles down to more intense R&D?
 

Bill Pemberton

0ld Ford Automotive Racing Terror
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Blair, Nebraska
I realized I also forgot the A052 Yokohama that is available now in 315. Have heard they wear pretty quickly, but this is subjective, as most track guys realize once they go to a 200 Treadwear Rating Tire they will wear these babies out quicker. Amazing to a lot of us old timers is how many of these tires are quicker than Hoosier or BFG race rubber was 10 years ago?

Having run on all the tires I listed ,above , at one time or another ( on various cars ), I have a sneaky suspicion the Falken's will last a bit longer than some of the other 200 TWR rubber --- which may be a bit of an advantage for those that mainly use their beasts for road course activities.
 

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