997.2 Carrera Track Wheels + Tyres

[xS9]

Hello all,

I bought a 2009 997.2 Carrera back in March. I've recently started doing weekend track days and obviously my standard Pilot Sports are taking a beating. Understandably they are giving way part way through the day.

I'm looking at purchasing some track wheels and tyres. I've had a Google round and it seems to be a mine field of info. Mainly people covering off Carrera S vehicles and i'm not sure whether they are talking about Gen 1 or 2 vehicles.

I've currently got a set of Carrera SII wheels
Front alloy wheels: 19x8" ET57
Rear alloy wheels: 19x11" ET67

I've been looking at some OZ Racing Alleggerita HLT Graphite. 5x130. But the offsets are detailed differently.
Offset : ET50 (Front) & ET65 (Rear)

Just wondering what the recommended solution is, i'm open to suggestions! Also how do you identify what tyre sizes go on these alloys once you order them?

Also if anybody has some specific advice regarding track tyres for 997's that would be brill.

Many Thanks
Matt

[MadMark911]

Personally I would buy a 2nd hand set of original Porsche wheels (the wider Carerra Sport alloys would be ideal) from either a Gen1 or Gen2 and wrap them with either some Michelin Pilot Sport Cups or Pirelli PZero Corsas, but move up in size to the 305 section rears.

[Ian_UK1]

xS9 said:

Hello all,

I bought a 2009 997.2 Carrera back in March. I've recently started doing weekend track days and obviously my standard Pilot Sports are taking a beating. Understandably they are giving way part way through the day.

I'm looking at purchasing some track wheels and tyres. I've had a Google round and it seems to be a mine field of info. Mainly people covering off Carrera S vehicles and i'm not sure whether they are talking about Gen 1 or 2 vehicles.

I've currently got a set of Carrera SII wheels
Front alloy wheels: 19x8" ET57
Rear alloy wheels: 19x11" ET67

I've been looking at some OZ Racing Alleggerita HLT Graphite. 5x130. But the offsets are detailed differently.
Offset : ET50 (Front) & ET65 (Rear)

Just wondering what the recommended solution is, i'm open to suggestions! Also how do you identify what tyre sizes go on these alloys once you order them?

Also if anybody has some specific advice regarding track tyres for 997's that would be brill.

Many Thanks
Matt

I'm having the same issue as the OP at the moment and would equally value the advice of those more knowledgeable than myself.

Whilst I've never done any track work (yet) I did my first proper day learning some basics of Car Control last week, courtesy of Don Palmer at Bruntingthorpe. After a day's one-to-one coaching (using my 997S.2) my 'almost new' Michelins were annihilated! See pic below - this was the worst one, the left rear; the rest weren't much better...



Destroying £1100 of tyres every time I take the car out to play simply isn't sustainable (I'm nowhere near wealthy enough)! So just like the OP I either need to invest in another set of wheels with some more-robust, track-oriented, tyres or, as an alternative - and here's where I'd appreciate people's thoughts too - invest in a dedicated trackday car. I've a feeling the trackday car option may work-out a lot less expensive in the long term, so is probably the sensible choice. But... I just love the way the 997 handles on-limit (and beyond). I had no real idea until last week just how awesome these machines can be, how forgiving and progressive at the limit and how much pure, unadulterated fun they can be. So I'd love to track the 997 if possible, but will probably end-up bankrupt if I do!

So, should I go for another set of wheels and tyres for the 997 (and if so, which ones) or go the trackday car route? All/any advice very gratefully received.

[xS9]

I had the same thought process although I came to the conclusion that i've spent all the money buying a car that's brilliant on track I may as well use it!

I'll keep scanning the classfieds and eBay for some 18inch Carrera Wheels then!