Just booked first track day - New track tyres
Discussion
Just book my first ever track day at Bedford. Fingers crossed it goes ahead! A bit nervous as everyone will probably be faster but will hopefully have a fun day.
My mx5 mk1 still has the tyres on when i bought the car (tyres manufactured 2011) and tread is around 4-5mm. They are standard road contis, with left rear being a newer Goodyear. I’m thinking to get some new NS2Rs fitted before i go as i’m a bit nervous the current tyres may be illegal by the time i’m done, plus they are quite old. From what i’ve read the NS2Rs are a good value for money road/track tyre?
With a new track day tyre like the NS2R, is there anything i should do before the track day, like scrubbing them in, doing x number of miles in them? Or is that just for road tyres?
My mx5 mk1 still has the tyres on when i bought the car (tyres manufactured 2011) and tread is around 4-5mm. They are standard road contis, with left rear being a newer Goodyear. I’m thinking to get some new NS2Rs fitted before i go as i’m a bit nervous the current tyres may be illegal by the time i’m done, plus they are quite old. From what i’ve read the NS2Rs are a good value for money road/track tyre?
With a new track day tyre like the NS2R, is there anything i should do before the track day, like scrubbing them in, doing x number of miles in them? Or is that just for road tyres?
I’ve been running NS2r’s for the last couple of years on my Mk2 Golf track car, 195/50/15, I think they are great value for money, they offer plenty of grip with a bit of temperature in them and seem to last a long time. Not too bad in the wet either.
I’ve acquired another set of wheels and have just ordered some AR1’s to try this year.
I’ve acquired another set of wheels and have just ordered some AR1’s to try this year.
With 4-5mm tread on the old ones, I think you'll be absolutely fine. If they were 2-3mm I'd be more cautious.
Oh and don't worry about everybody being faster than you, some will be, some won't, nobody will care. Just pay attention and try to move out of the way (when safe/convenient) to let faster people past.
Oh and don't worry about everybody being faster than you, some will be, some won't, nobody will care. Just pay attention and try to move out of the way (when safe/convenient) to let faster people past.
4-5mm was a guess, i really should measure them properly. Just can’t be arsed to find the damn tread measurement thing! My main worry was the age of the tyres, at nearly 10 years i think it would be best to change them before the track day? (Secretly just trying to justify buying some track tyres!)
Do new track tyres like NS2R require a running in/scrub period before a track day, or can i just fit and enjoy?
Do new track tyres like NS2R require a running in/scrub period before a track day, or can i just fit and enjoy?
Definitely get some track tyres.... they will be miles miles MILES better than 9 year old road tyres.
I think you should be fine to just fit and enjoy... though do some warm up laps before going flat out, and keep an eye on the pressures. Guessing an mx5 runs about 30psi or something... when they get hot you will need to lower them back down.
I think you should be fine to just fit and enjoy... though do some warm up laps before going flat out, and keep an eye on the pressures. Guessing an mx5 runs about 30psi or something... when they get hot you will need to lower them back down.
mob17 said:
Do new track tyres like NS2R require a running in/scrub period before a track day, or can i just fit and enjoy?
Ideally 100 road miles with a few heat cycles would be great to scrub them and get rid of the release agent.I really like NS2Rs. I recommend the 180 tread. More stable and long lasting and not too much grip for your suspension to cope with. Just enough to have fun in safety. They are great in the wet too.
Have you checked how much brake pads you have left?
As it's your first ever track day, I'd not bother buying anything other than a helmet and paying for some tuition.
Don't bother with specific tyres & wheels for an even that you may decide you don't enjoy, or works out too expensive.
...and for all you know, it could be pissing down on the day, so the track tyres might be worse than useless.
Just check your oils/fluid levels and give the car a general health check, as the track day wills stress everything (you included) much more.
Don't bother with specific tyres & wheels for an even that you may decide you don't enjoy, or works out too expensive.
...and for all you know, it could be pissing down on the day, so the track tyres might be worse than useless.
Just check your oils/fluid levels and give the car a general health check, as the track day wills stress everything (you included) much more.
nickfrog said:
Ideally 100 road miles with a few heat cycles would be great to scrub them and get rid of the release agent.
I really like NS2Rs. I recommend the 180 tread. More stable and long lasting and not too much grip for your suspension to cope with. Just enough to have fun in safety. They are great in the wet too.
Have you checked how much brake pads you have left?
Ok thanks. I have just seen some AD08RS tyres available for around the same price all fitted vs the ns2rs (about £50 more in total). Not sure of its worth getting them instead of the nankangs, as i think the AD08RS is a new tyre and haven’t seen much feedback?I really like NS2Rs. I recommend the 180 tread. More stable and long lasting and not too much grip for your suspension to cope with. Just enough to have fun in safety. They are great in the wet too.
Have you checked how much brake pads you have left?
I put on new discs and pads (roddisons) less than 1k miles ago so they should be ok. Also changed fluid to ATE Type 200 less than a year ago. So hoping brakes should be ok for a few laps. But will be giving the car a check over for fluids and brakes. If weather clears up this weekend might do an oil change.
mob17 said:
Ok thanks. I have just seen some AD08RS tyres available for around the same price all fitted vs the ns2rs (about £50 more in total). Not sure of its worth getting them instead of the nankangs, as i think the AD08RS is a new tyre and haven’t seen much feedback?
.
I have run the AD08Rs on the Megane all year round. They perhaps have a tiny bit less grip than the old AD08r as they have to be more compliant environmentally hence the new version. But they are still excellent including in the wet. They are full tread tyres (8mm) so they work very well on the road too. At £50 more that's a no brainer, Yoki all the way. And they are far less noisy than the Nankang. .
I read somewhere that tyres with a lot of tread will heat more and therefore wear more when driven on track? Or is that just for new road tyres?
Yes NS2R is £270 fitted and AD08RS is £324. I think these are my only 2 realistic choices at the moment considering budget.
Would like to order some tyres in the next few days. I guess it doesnt matter if i fit them before or after a wheel alignment?
Yes NS2R is £270 fitted and AD08RS is £324. I think these are my only 2 realistic choices at the moment considering budget.
Would like to order some tyres in the next few days. I guess it doesnt matter if i fit them before or after a wheel alignment?
mob17 said:
i really should measure them properly. Just can’t be arsed to find the damn tread measurement thing!
Wait? Can't be arsed to find your tread depth gauge, but can be arsed to buy and fit four brand new tyres?Why not just admit that you want racy new tyres, rather than asking internet people to justify it for you?
mob17 said:
I read somewhere that tyres with a lot of tread will heat more and therefore wear more when driven on track? Or is that just for new road tyres?
Yes NS2R is £270 fitted and AD08RS is £324. I think these are my only 2 realistic choices at the moment considering budget.
Would like to order some tyres in the next few days. I guess it doesnt matter if i fit them before or after a wheel alignment?
Don't worry about block movement on either of those even though they both start on 8mm, as the blocs are massive in terms of area and both the compound / carcass will help stability anyway. I have run both on track after a couple of hundred road miles. Yes NS2R is £270 fitted and AD08RS is £324. I think these are my only 2 realistic choices at the moment considering budget.
Would like to order some tyres in the next few days. I guess it doesnt matter if i fit them before or after a wheel alignment?
Ideally do the alignement after fitting the tyres but not a big deal.
C70R said:
Wait? Can't be arsed to find your tread depth gauge, but can be arsed to buy and fit four brand new tyres?
Why not just admit that you want racy new tyres, rather than asking internet people to justify it for you?
Why not just admit that you want racy new tyres, rather than asking internet people to justify it for you?
Think you are right, i will definitely be getting some. Just a matter of deciding between NS2R and AD08RS. nickfrog said:
Don't worry about block movement on either of those even though they both start on 8mm, as the blocs are massive in terms of area and both the compound / carcass will help stability anyway. I have run both on track after a couple of hundred road miles.
Ideally do the alignement after fitting the tyres but not a big deal.
Great. Thanks Nick. I will just need to pick one out of Nankang or Yokohama now. Decisions decisions...Ideally do the alignement after fitting the tyres but not a big deal.
Ok the Yokohama’s are ordered 
Just thinking about what to take with me on the actual day. Don’t want to take a lot of things, but maybe a tyre gauge, elec tyre pump, wheel wrench and some spare fluid. Not too keen on taking a jack and stands. Hopefully won’t need them.
What do people do with their things when they are out on track? Just leave it on the floor where they parked, as i assume you want the car empty.
Just thinking about what to take with me on the actual day. Don’t want to take a lot of things, but maybe a tyre gauge, elec tyre pump, wheel wrench and some spare fluid. Not too keen on taking a jack and stands. Hopefully won’t need them.
What do people do with their things when they are out on track? Just leave it on the floor where they parked, as i assume you want the car empty.
If you haven't booked a garage just ask someone who has if you can leave your box in theirs. I have yet to find someone who says no. And give them a £5 at the end of the day if you like.
I travel light too and use my foot pump or bike pump rather than rely on 12v. An accurate tyre pressure gauge is important as well as a torch light to check you brake pads through the wheels. Have some water and drink a lot (I sound like your mum now).
I also always take some oil, zip ties, gaffer tape, cutting knife and I check the wheel nut torque before I set off. Never needed any of the above but will probably need it the first time I forget something.
I travel light too and use my foot pump or bike pump rather than rely on 12v. An accurate tyre pressure gauge is important as well as a torch light to check you brake pads through the wheels. Have some water and drink a lot (I sound like your mum now).
I also always take some oil, zip ties, gaffer tape, cutting knife and I check the wheel nut torque before I set off. Never needed any of the above but will probably need it the first time I forget something.
Edited by nickfrog on Monday 25th May 14:17
Thanks all. Some really useful info.
Been watching lots of youtube videos on this track, but one has me slightly concerned with the manner of overtaking. I thought you’re not allowed to overtake on corners, and only overtake when the car in front is indicating?
https://youtu.be/leHNsfmIwPc
Overtake on minute 3... is this normal?
Been watching lots of youtube videos on this track, but one has me slightly concerned with the manner of overtaking. I thought you’re not allowed to overtake on corners, and only overtake when the car in front is indicating?
https://youtu.be/leHNsfmIwPc
Overtake on minute 3... is this normal?
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