Tyres for track use on a V8 Vantage
Discussion
I wouldn't worry to be honest. Unless you know the 'Ring well AND you're a quick driver you won't put much wear on your normal road tyres there or gain any advantage from any super sticky stuff you might try at great expense. Even first timers can rubbish a set of road tyres at a track day at a normal short circuit but it doesn't tend to be a problem at the 'Ring. Same goes for brakes.
Pugsey said:
I wouldn't worry to be honest. Unless you know the 'Ring well AND you're a quick driver you won't put much wear on your normal road tyres there or gain any advantage from any super sticky stuff you might try at great expense. Even first timers can rubbish a set of road tyres at a track day at a normal short circuit but it doesn't tend to be a problem at the 'Ring. Same goes for brakes.
Been a few times last year and took my M3 CSL around it on normal road tyres. I admit I certainly wasn't taking it to the limit but it did feel like the standard non sticky stuff was starting to go, plus the standard brakes in CSL were shocking.The brakes in the Vantage are much more impressive I've got to say.
I'm sure I've read here before about problems with the standard road tyres on the Vantage though.
Ive driven a Vantage with the optional Pirelli Corsas - these are road legal semi slicks kinda like Yoko A048s and toyo R888s that Ive used in the past on track. They were very good ...however as Pugsey says, I personally wouldnt worry. Ive also done a trackday on the OEM Bridgestones, and was surprised how good they were...lets put it this ways - my instructor could put the car through the corners quicker than me and get more out of them than I dare, so unless you are very experienced on track, say at least a club racer with years of experience, its doubtful that just with one day at the 'ring you would even be approaching the limits of the standard rubber.
The other issue is the limits are higher on sticky rubber, and they may not let go as progressively, so you are leading yourself up to higher speed incidents on more sticky tyres
so in short - leave the Bridgestones on, they are more than good enough for most of us mere mortal owners
The other issue is the limits are higher on sticky rubber, and they may not let go as progressively, so you are leading yourself up to higher speed incidents on more sticky tyres
so in short - leave the Bridgestones on, they are more than good enough for most of us mere mortal owners
Lucozade said:
bogie, pugsey thanks very much for your input.
Looks like it would be wiser for me to spend the money elsewhere.
Cheers.
No probs. Looks like it would be wiser for me to spend the money elsewhere.
Cheers.
Last couple of times I went I hired a top instructor - less than a set of tyres! - and believe me knowing EXACTLY the line and speed to take over the next blind brow makes a MASSIVE difference. There's umpteen places where supposedly more experienced guys in faster cars drop way back in the rear view mirror. It's a great feeling. Funnily enough, if they acknowledge you afterwards in the paddock the first thing they want to know is 'have you modded it/what tyres are you using'........................LOL Pugsey - Ive had the same but in the UK...I had a days instruction as a present 2 years ago and by chance I had to take the Vantage ....strangely enough after a few sessions and tearing past Exiges and CSLs on sticky tyres and such like, their owners were in my garage discussing how surprisingly fast a bog standard Vantage was around the track ...nothing to do with me being under instruction of course and the instructor a regular racer on that circuit
bogie said:
LOL Pugsey - Ive had the same but in the UK...I had a days instruction as a present 2 years ago and by chance I had to take the Vantage ....strangely enough after a few sessions and tearing past Exiges and CSLs on sticky tyres and such like, their owners were in my garage discussing how surprisingly fast a bog standard Vantage was around the track ...nothing to do with me being under instruction of course and the instructor a regular racer on that circuit
Great fun! Sat next to the, back then, F3 hotshoe Danny Watts while he 'demo'd' a MK2 ClioV6 round Brands GP. Not the fastest and certainly not the best handling of cars I think we'll all agree. He was going round the OUTSIDE of GT3s, Caterhams, the lot! No-one asked who was driving - they just wanted to put orders down on the new Renault missile - so I guess that was mission accomplished then. And, as you say even 'normal' guys can make others look silly with a bit of guidance. Mind you, I AM also a naturally gifted driving God of course................ Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff