I have a 2019 GT PP2 I use at HPDE's, All the normal suspension upgrades. Track day wheels are BC Forged KL11's 10" up front, 10.5" rear
Currently I'm running Toyo Proxy RR's, 295/30/19 (replaced in 2025 by the Proxy R's) on all 4 corners. The Toyo RR's (and R's) have a 40 treadwear rating. I have 20 heat cycles on them; I can tell they are coming to end of life.
Here is my quandary:
My Next Track weekend is Watkins Glen, Do I try to get another 7 heat cycles out of the tires or Start with a new set?
Tires have become the most expensive part of the HPDE experience. $2000 +/- for a set of tires that will get 20 to 25 heat cycles, that is 6 track days (3 weekends) Around $700 per weekend. ( $500 per weekend if you squeeze 4 weekends out of the tires ( 28 – 30 heat cycles)
The Toyo R's sell for about $1,400 for a set of 4, heat cycled but they are sold out nationwide with no restock date available. Even at that bargain price, 6 track days (3 weekends) is just under $500 per weekend.
My Alternative to the Proxy R's are the Goodyear Supercar 3's at $2,100 for a set of four. Squeezing 1 more full weekend out of my current RR's puts $500 to $700 in my pocket( depending how long they last). The risk is if they get greezey and sloppy early in the weekend, I've blown a bunch of cash to participate, Travel 9 hours, and not be able to push the car.

There is no "right" answer, so, what would you do?

If you participate in HPDE's with Mustang GT, you know my budget. We Mustang GT guys are generally squeezing into this hobby at the bottom end of the budget, barring late model Miata's. Pre-Covid, track weekend all-in, cost about $1,500, . Now its more like $2,500 for the weekend. I'll probably need to go to 2 track weekends per summer from my current 3, just based on budget. I'm getting squeezed out!

Buy another set of wheels so you don’t have to make these decisions. Run one set until gone and switch to the next set mid event.

EF1 said:

Buy another set of wheels so you don’t have to make these decisions. Run one set until gone and switch to the next set mid event.

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I did exactly that for the same reason. Tyres getting old but still good for a thrashing.
P.S. @Apex Wheels have a sale on. Think of it as a long term investment in saving money. Women logic but for cars. But this one does give you as much bang for buck out of your tyres.

The Toyo RR is an older tire. They are inexpensive. The tests out there show the better 200tw tires are as fast or faster, and last longer.

EF1 said:

Buy another set of wheels so you don’t have to make these decisions. Run one set until gone and switch to the next set mid event.

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That is certainly one option. Economically, that is an 8 to 10 year payback but makes tire management much easier.

bossdog said:

That is certainly one option. Economically, that is an 8 to 10 year payback but makes tire management much easier.

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One additional factor is that with wheels, you can ditch your staggered 10/10.5 for 11" all the way around and rotate the tires, perhaps getting another track day or more out of the same set of tires.

Goodyear Supercar F1 3R in 305/30R19 are 458 bucks apiece at Tire Rack, and another forum member here alerted me that if you are eligible to be a member of USAA (you do not have to purchase USAA insurance), then you get 25% off, so basically buy 3 get one free. Four tires at Tire Rack show $1831.96. I can't find the price at Goodyear online, but it probably is not too different, and with the discount, would come out to around $1374 for a set of four. They are also 100 tread wear, so maybe they will last a little longer than the Toyo tire you are using.

I sympathize with you on the budget for HPDE, though. All of my hobbies are too expensive.

Are you driving to the track on your track day tires? This is why I went to Tractor Supply and built a small tire trailer. It’s really hard to do the arrive and drive thing with the fastest dry grip track tires. Because tires are expensive and I’m only having fun, I run my fast track tires to the cords and use my street tires on track as backup or if it rains.

I quickly found it really tedious constantly watching the horizon for thunder clouds or driving home at 45 mph in the rain on worn out 305 GY 3Rs. It seems the only other options are to drive on slower tires and/or get a new set of track tires whenever they’re about half done. Or trailer the entire car I suppose. Technically you can fit 4 wheels and tires inside the car but I found that exhausting and I didn’t want to trash the interior of what is still a nice street car.

stevbd said:

Are you driving to the track on your track day tires? This is why I went to Tractor Supply and built a small tire trailer. It’s really hard to do the arrive and drive thing with the fastest dry grip track tires. Because tires are expensive and I’m only having fun, I run my fast track tires to the cords and use my street tires on track as backup or if it rains.

I quickly found it really tedious constantly watching the horizon for thunder clouds or driving home at 45 mph in the rain on worn out 305 GY 3Rs. It seems the only other options are to drive on slower tires and/or get a new set of track tires whenever they’re about half done. Or trailer the entire car I suppose. Technically you can fit 4 wheels and tires inside the car but I found that exhausting and I didn’t want to trash the interior of what is still a nice street car.

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How do you tow a trailer with a Mustang?

It’s just an etrailer.com hitch and a small utility trailer, only big enough for some tires and odds and ends. Pretty common solution. There are more elegant solutions on here but you get the idea.

Agree with everything here. I got a trailer and carry an extra set and i’ve decided to go as far as get extended studs and 11” all around for the track and have a backup set. Tires seem to be my biggest issue i’ve discovered lol

bossdog said:

That is certainly one option. Economically, that is an 8 to 10 year payback but makes tire management much easier.

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I run Apex 19 x 10" wheels. If you get them on one of the sales they cost about the same as a set of tires. It was worth it to me to be able to run tires until they are gone and switch mid weekend versus replacing them early to make sure I had enough tire for a weekend. I also found out how long tires actually last when I stopped tossing them early.

I get my track wheels (3) in the back with a rear seat delete and 1 in the trunk (2021).

Everyone loves apex but I went with Konigs and am very happy for a lower cost (23lbs each)

Its a PITA to change wheels at the track, but I do it.

stevbd said:

Are you driving to the track on your track day tires? This is why I went to Tractor Supply and built a small tire trailer. It’s really hard to do the arrive and drive thing with the fastest dry grip track tires. Because tires are expensive and I’m only having fun, I run my fast track tires to the cords and use my street tires on track as backup or if it rains.

I quickly found it really tedious constantly watching the horizon for thunder clouds or driving home at 45 mph in the rain on worn out 305 GY 3Rs. It seems the only other options are to drive on slower tires and/or get a new set of track tires whenever they’re about half done. Or trailer the entire car I suppose. Technically you can fit 4 wheels and tires inside the car but I found that exhausting and I didn’t want to trash the interior of what is still a nice street car.

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I just purchased an open car hauler so I'm trailering my mustang to the track.
I have a C5 with a hitch and built a Harbor Freight trailer tire & Tool trunk trailer. I thought it was pretty cool! The trailer build is documented HERE

Junkyard Dog said:

How do you tow a trailer with a Mustang?

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Easy-Peasy ETrailer has the hitch in stock

RTR077 said:

I get my track wheels (3) in the back with a rear seat delete and 1 in the trunk (2021).

Everyone loves apex but I went with Konigs and am very happy for a lower cost (23lbs each)

Its a PITA to change wheels at the track, but I do it.

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Yah, I put a set of race tier in the mustang with all the tools, and jack for a couple of season but that got old, I'm getting too old for that Rodeo.
I had my first "arrive and Drive" event a few weeks back with my 20 ft open car hauler, REALLY Nice for sure?
I can certainly add another set of tire to the mix and get a few extra sessions out of each set of tires with less worry. I haven't found a need for that in my 13 years tracking. Its just an ever-expanding hobbie! I'm trying to simplify/minimize everything in my life. The trade off here is spending a bit more more and not maximizing the tire life. always tradeoffs

EF1 said:

I run Apex 19 x 10" wheels. If you get them on one of the sales they cost about the same as a set of tires. It was worth it to me to be able to run tires until they are gone and switch mid weekend versus replacing them early to make sure I had enough tire for a weekend. I also found out how long tires actually last when I stopped tossing them early.

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Don't you have to run some spacers to run that tire set up?

No, you do not need spacers until you move up to 19 x 11" Apex. That is why I chose this set up. You are limited to 295 30 19. The car would be faster with more tire, but I am not racing, just having fun.

bossdog said:

Don't you have to run some spacers to run that tire set up?

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you can run 19x10 square no problem on an s550/650i do that on my other car. Have apex wheels and rotate front to back works perfect.

I'm a slick tire guy, but I do have some experience with the Goodyear Spencer's in WRL. We ran a 12 hour race..or maybe 8, it's been awhile, and those Goodyears were putting down the same lap times at the end, as at the start. I would recommend going to 18inch wheels, it will allow you more choices in tires.
Yes, tires are expensive, they are the single most expense on a line item budget any race weekend.