FWD track tyres

[w1ltsu]

Hello all.

So my toy is a 2010 mk2 Focus RS that i both pamper like a garage queen, but absolutely hammer on track at the same time (no point in owning a car like this if you don't enjoy it).

Being around 420bhp and 1400kg this thing is quite hard on the tyres when on track. The last two seasons i have been using Nankang AR1's in 235/40/18 (wider tyres won't fit unless i remove the windshield washer bottle and inner wheelarches) and they have been absolutely fantastic. Wear rate is good and they are able to post really good laptimes consistently.

The time to order new track rubber is getting closer, and i thought id ask around if anyone has any other recommendations? As i said, the AR1's have been fantastic, but at the same time i am curious about possibly trying something else in search of even better laptimes and handling.

Michelin Cup2's, Pirelli Trofeo R's and AD08R's have crossed my mind. Everyone is raving about the Cup2's and i could get them fairly cheap, but the softness of the sidewall makes me a bit hesitant as a 1,4 ton FWD car needs a sidewall that won't rip itself to shreds after two trackdays.

Any ideas?

[iguana]

Dunlop direzza

[Nickjd]

The MRF ZTR will post faster lap times and last longer than AR1

[Chuck328]

I thought this is a decent video showing various track tyres and how this Ring taxi firm owner rates them. With the number of laps his business does he ought to know a thing or two.

Those Dunlops are rated very highly. How deep are your pockets?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0YWxSGTv78

[w1ltsu]

I have heard great things about the Dunlops, but on the other hand i remember seeing a track test where they were a couple a seconds off the AR1. Dunlops seem to be quite hard to get a hold of in Europe.

MRF tyres seem to only be offered from UK based shops, which also makes ordering to EU difficult because of this brexit-thing.

[brillomaster]

Slightly off topic, has something happened to federal lately? 595 rsrs used to be my go to tyre, but suddenly they seem really hard to get hold of, which is a shame. Gonna have to try nankang ns2rs instead.

[w1ltsu]

brillomaster said:

Slightly off topic, has something happened to federal lately? 595 rsrs used to be my go to tyre, but suddenly they seem really hard to get hold of, which is a shame. Gonna have to try nankang ns2rs instead.

Possibly shortage due to factory being closed or on limited output because of Covid. This was the case with Nankang and AR1's last spring, it was quite hard to get hold of.

[Nickjd]

w1ltsu said:

I have heard great things about the Dunlops, but on the other hand i remember seeing a track test where they were a couple a seconds off the AR1. Dunlops seem to be quite hard to get a hold of in Europe.

MRF tyres seem to only be offered from UK based shops, which also makes ordering to EU difficult because of this brexit-thing.

?
There are many European dealers.