Hillclimb tyres

Author
Discussion

Kswap

Original Poster:

191 posts

48 months

Wednesday 4th May 2022
quotequote all
I already know the answer to this tbh but here goes.

I use Michelin Pilot Sport 3 for the road and wet trackdays
MRF ZTR for dry trackdays

I’ve booked a hillclimb school event at Loton Park next week.
I realise it’s not a race event and it’s about improving lines etc but I’m not going there to crawl up either.
What tyres would you take assuming it’s dry? Don’t think the MRF’s will get any heat in them whatsoever and not worth it.

brillomaster

1,396 posts

177 months

Wednesday 4th May 2022
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something with the lowest possible treadwear so they have maximum grip right from the off - toyo R888s in soft compound, or maybe at the budget end try accelera 651 sport xtra - they apparently have a treadwear number of just 100.

chrisgtx

1,250 posts

217 months

Wednesday 4th May 2022
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Extreme tyres are popular for hillclimbing, mine werent that far off my avons up there. Also Nankang do a soft tyre too.

Chuck328

1,588 posts

174 months

Wednesday 4th May 2022
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Nankang AR-1 get up to temp very quickly.

100 TW to I think.

Xcore

1,372 posts

97 months

Wednesday 4th May 2022
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Depends what class you plan to run in?!

Kswap

Original Poster:

191 posts

48 months

Wednesday 4th May 2022
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I’m talking about going to the event on the PS3 or the MRF ZTR. What I already have.
Probably just go on the PS3.

Derek182

166 posts

87 months

Wednesday 4th May 2022
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I don't know much about MRF ZTR but they must be a softer, stickier tyre than a road tyre so surely you would be quicker on them than the PS3, at least in the dry.
And Loton is a reasonably long hill so should be getting some heat particularly with an aggressive start!
Although as you say it is just a school day so that may not be the point.

Galveston

737 posts

206 months

Saturday 7th May 2022
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I’d just go on the PS3s.

I compete at Loton a couple of times a year, using PS3s because that’s what my class demands, but they’re fabulous things and provide plenty of consistent grip. Plus you won’t need to worry if it rains.

Loton is my favourite hillclimb - such a challenging but fun place to drive.

Galveston

737 posts

206 months

Saturday 7th May 2022
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For inspiration….

https://youtu.be/9kaT6Vco6kY

I’m sure they’ll tell you this isn’t how to drive up Loton…

RB Will

9,940 posts

247 months

Wednesday 11th May 2022
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If this isn’t too late. Definitely the PS3s.
My MRFs took 2-3 laps to heat up, which would probably be about 6 runs up a hill.
MRFs are also crap to drive on to and from events, cracking on track though.

Kswap

Original Poster:

191 posts

48 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
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Took the PS3 in the end as it rained like hell all morning. The afternoon was glorious and could feel the limits of the tyre easily. I got most improved driver of the day and got a T shirt and cap lol.
Enjoyed the day but it’s not enough seat time for me to step up and take part in competitively.

Edited by Kswap on Thursday 12th May 11:18

Dynion Araf Uchaf

4,683 posts

230 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
quotequote all
Kswap said:
Took the PS3 in the end as it rained like hell all morning. The afternoon was glorious and could feel the limits of the tyre easily. I got most improved driver of the day and got a T shirt and cap lol.
Enjoyed the day but it’s not enough seat time for me to step up and take part in competitively.

Edited by Kswap on Thursday 12th May 11:18
yes

4 mins of track time per event. £100+ pounds to enter. It's actually crap value motorsport. Although everyone tells you that it's cheap. Maybe per day, and I guess tyres, fuel etc will last for years. But per min, it's chuffing expensive.

Kswap

Original Poster:

191 posts

48 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
quotequote all
Agree. Four runs per event in competition I was told. All timed but the first two are practice and don’t count. Then the second two are what counts.

chrisgtx

1,250 posts

217 months

Thursday 12th May 2022
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Glad you enjoyed it, it’s a fantastic track and venue.
I’ve been hill climbing and sprinting for a few years. Per mile it’s ridiculously expensive, only drag racing is worse, but I can’t help but like it as it’s just me the car and the clock and there’s no one else going to knock you off. I’ve had a couple of goes at time attack too which was fun but hard to get used to using your mirrors.

Galveston

737 posts

206 months

Saturday 14th May 2022
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Each to their own obviously, but I much prefer sprints or hillclimbs to track days. It isn’t about the seat time.

Anyone can drive fast if you give them 50 laps to practice a circuit, but trying to find the absolute limit in four runs is way more challenging. It doesn’t matter that the first two runs don’t count towards the results - to perfect every braking point and every line to be quick at the end of the day you have to be committed from the first corner of the first run. And you won’t ever perfect it, there’ll always be improvements to find, so it becomes addictive.

One of my favourite sprint venues is Castle Combe. The 1.75 lap sprint runs from the pit exit to pit entry with a lap in-between. The entry fee is nearly as much as a track day there. Last year we got four runs, but usually that event is only three. Having to be absolutely committed from the first corner of the first run is what makes it special. I do an occasional track day at Combe - it’s my local track and it’s good to keep my eye-in over winter - but I find them so boring compared to competing.

If I could only do one more day out in a car I’d do a hillclimb at Shelsley Walsh. Four 37 second runs for about £175. It’s just fabulous.

As I say, each to their own, we’re all different, but to dismiss speed events because of the lack of seat time is missing the point.