Tyres

SorryTrev, I never saw your question about tyres until today. I've used a few track bias tyres on GTAs and other cars over the years so well placed to give an opinion. The Toyo R888 is incredibly grippy for a road legal tyre but the stiff sidewall definitely has a detrimental affect on the ride as they are very stiff. The yokis were good in there day and its a long time since I used them but I certainly don't remember them being as good as the R888's. Another tyre you might want to consider - and they are a good chunk cheaper than the Toyo - is the Federal RSR. Had these on my Clio cup and I reckon were at least as grippy as the R888 but the side wall was not as stiff. They also seemed to have very progressive breakaway which might be useful on a rear engined car. They did wear noticeably faster than the Toyos though. Worked better when cold than the Toyos too.

If your going to do a few track days I'd definitely go for a set of 17's with the Toyos all round. If its a once in a blue moon thing why not grab a couple of 2nd hand fronts and try the Federals. I wouldn't worry too much about the rears as long as they are decent condition, it's quelling the understeer that will make the car faster and more enjoyable to drive.

Oh and while the wheels are off fit a set of Ferodo DS 2500 pads, these give much more bite and resistance to fade - you will notice the diference believe me

My car is on standard wheels, 15 inch front wheels give the best steering!

On the track/hill I have been running Toyo r888's 195/55/15 you can run a lower profile at 195/50/15 but my car is lowered on stiff springs and I found the lower profile had a detrimental effect on ride! About £120 a tyre.

On the rear I run 235/50/15 which I found to be the best, you can't get 255/50/15 in the r888, an alternative is 225/50/15 but not as wide, I have not tried these. The 235/50/15 are quite hard to come by but demon tweaks can get them, cost is about £185 per tyre.

You can get the r888's in various compounds, I use the medium.

On the road I use toyo proxes t1r's, great tryre and cheap fronts are about £40! Rears about £80! Available in sizes 195/55/15 or 195/50/15 front and rear the 225/50/15.

Hope this helps!

Thanks both for your replies and wish I had them two days ago but that's life. As I said in my post I have ordered Khumo Ecsta V70a's for the rear so wil have to give these a go first. I'm a little surprised you found understeer as my plan was to introduce a little as a way for countering oversteer that I had experienced on the road. Perhaps I should rethink then and get stickier rubber for the front? Currently running 195/50 15 Pirelli P6000, what do you think?
Best place to get the pads?
Trevor.

I run toyos r888 medium compound 195/50/15 on front and 235/50/15 on rear as previously fitted by Andrew TurboDog

I think they are amazing tyres with loads of grip but I haven't tried anything else so can't compare...

Totally agree with Tony on ferodo ds 2500 pads well worth it

There's usually pads on Ebay

Hi Tony how.much were.the Federalsand do they do a nice 255 in an 18 do you know? These tyres sound ideal for sprinting and hill climbing due to their quick.warm up; what sort of money were they in comparison to the 888's as i must get some hillclimbs and sprints in next year the car going really well since i found a faulty main power supply and replaced it shes pulling like atrain ...for an Atmo!!!

be interesting to know?
cheers Simon[/u]zq

Camskill actually have a deal on 255 -35 18's at the minute for £135 , same size Toyo r888 is £240. Give me a shout if you get some I might stick a couple away at that money for when my track gta breaks cover.