Anyone running 305/35/20s on the track on all four corners?

[X25]

I don't think NT01 is better than Trofeo Rs, but NT01 will very likely last a lot longer at the expense of ultimate DOT approved traction.

I've read a lot about Trofeo Rs, and heard that you can quickly go through a set in a matter of a few track days, especially if your pressures and camber settings are not adequate. I never had such fears with NT01.

I bought a take-off set of like new Trofeo Rs from a Z/28 during the holiday frenzy, and will try the Proxes RRs on my Miata. It will be fun : )

[Orange Crush 1LE]

Originally Posted by CrystalRedTintcoat

Really? The Nittos have better traction?

The Trofeos weigh a boatload less. 26 lbs vs 32. That plus my reduced wheel weight is a total of 40 pounds.

I spoke at length to Guy G. from Big O Benicia today. He's setup Camaro's with Trofeos, Proxes 888, and NT01s. For the Trofeos he recommends 295/35/20s all around and said the 35 is better because you can play with the air more than the 30s. For the Proxes and Nittos he recommends 285/35/20s in the front and 315/35/20s in the rear.

Also, he sells the Trofeos just south of $100 less, total, than this Bob W site but this requires the HOD vendor discount. You have to register on the HOD site.

Interestingly, Guy runs BFG R1 slicks on the track and Trofeos on the street.

He also said the Trofeo is setup to handle lots of negative camber.


-CRT

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Brian at this point you just need to pick one and try it, I don't think you can go wrong either way. You've narrowed it down to two great tires. Don't take Guy's advice on running wider tires in the rear unless you want to create push and make the car handle worse. GM went square on tire width on the Camaro for a reason.

Good to know that Guy gives a discount through HOD.

[Orange Crush 1LE]

Originally Posted by X25

I don't think NT01 is better than Trofeo Rs, but NT01 will very likely last a lot longer at the expense of ultimate DOT approved traction.

I've read a lot about Trofeo Rs, and heard that you can quickly go through a set in a matter of a few track days, especially if your pressures and camber settings are not adequate. I never had such fears with NT01.

I bought a take-off set of like new Trofeo Rs from a Z/28 during the holiday frenzy, and will try the Proxes RRs on my Miata. It will be fun : )

If the Trofeo R is grippier than an NT01 then it is an amazing tire and it's no wonder that the mags rave about it. My experience with other streetable R compounds is with the Corsa and the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup and they are not in the same league as the NT01. If the Trofeo R is, that would be impressive. Looking forward to your feedback after you've tried them out.

My Nitto NT01s wore all of the water grooves off after two track days, leaving pretty much a slick. After four track days, they wore down all the way to cord. It is a soft tire, not really a street tire. Granted, the last two days were at Willow Springs which is famous for eating tires.

[X25]

Wow, that's pretty fast rate of wear. On Miata, they lasted pretty long. I suppose weight of this car had something to do with it.

By the way, theoretically, the wider tire should help in terms of wear, and last longer. Did anyone try the same compound with different widths and see if the wider version lasted longer?

[Orange Crush 1LE]

Originally Posted by X25

Wow, that's pretty fast rate of wear. On Miata, they lasted pretty long. I suppose weight of this car had something to do with it.

By the way, theoretically, the wider tire should help in terms of wear, and last longer. Did anyone try the same compound with different widths and see if the wider version lasted longer?

You know, I probably shouldn't have mentioned that wear rate because the other track, Buttonwillow, was also hell on tire wear. They've just repaved it so it's much better now.

Oh, and I run 315s front and rear and still only lasted 4 days

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

I got the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R's installed today. 295/35/ZR20s on new CCW SP16 R 20x10 20x11 gloss black wheels. These will be my No Rain, Drive-to-the-Track track tires. I love how vented these wheels are.

[X25]

I could not even get mine mounted yet, since the temps are at 40s. I bought a second set of tires in the meantime, this time Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 305/30/19. They claim they are much improved, and this is the tire that comes with new Z06 and million-dollar 918, but I think it'll still be inferior to the Trofeo Rs; we'll see.

I do plan to start with MPSC 2, establish my best times at the local tracks, and once they are done, move on to Trofeo Rs to see if it improves my times. I also do want to try the NT01s, and if the tires indeed get done in as short as 4 track days, I fear I'll have an opportunity to try them, too.

In addition to all these three tires (Trofeo R, Cup 2, and NT01), I also want to try the Proxes RR on the Miata. Trying 4 tires in one single season: if I can make it, it will be fun!

[X25]

Originally Posted by CrystalRedTintcoat

I got the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R's installed today. 295/35/ZR20s on new CCW SP16 R 20x10 20x11 gloss black wheels. These will be my No Rain, Drive-to-the-Track track tires. I love how vented these wheels are.

Attachment 687902

Attachment 687903

Attachment 687904

These wheels are very pretty! One thing that catches eye, though, is the visibly thicker sidewall. Hopefully Trofeo Rs already have a very stiff sidewall due to their nature, so this would not add flex and lag to your steering. You should include your impressions about that in your report!

[skipinminn]

Fronts are 275/40/20 and the rears are 315/35/20 sir. Nittro Invo's Is what I have on my car, but I don't track my car.

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

Originally Posted by X25

These wheels are very pretty! One thing that catches eye, though, is the visibly thicker sidewall. Hopefully Trofeo Rs already have a very stiff sidewall due to their nature, so this would not add flex and lag to your steering. You should include your impressions about that in your report!

They are meant to be firm sidewall.


-CRT

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

Originally Posted by X25

I could not even get mine mounted yet, since the temps are at 40s. I bought a second set of tires in the meantime, this time Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 305/30/19. They claim they are much improved, and this is the tire that comes with new Z06 and million-dollar 918, but I think it'll still be inferior to the Trofeo Rs; we'll see.

I do plan to start with MPSC 2, establish my best times at the local tracks, and once they are done, move on to Trofeo Rs to see if it improves my times. I also do want to try the NT01s, and if the tires indeed get done in as short as 4 track days, I fear I'll have an opportunity to try them, too.

In addition to all these three tires (Trofeo R, Cup 2, and NT01), I also want to try the Proxes RR on the Miata. Trying 4 tires in one single season: if I can make it, it will be fun!

Nice that you have those options. Can't wait to hear the results.


-CRT

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

Originally Posted by X25

These wheels are very pretty! One thing that catches eye, though, is the visibly thicker sidewall. Hopefully Trofeo Rs already have a very stiff sidewall due to their nature, so this would not add flex and lag to your steering. You should include your impressions about that in your report!

From Pirelli web site:

The OUTER outer area ensures the required rigidity to cope with the stresses during cornering, typical of racetrack driving.

The solid shoulder - similar to a slick but more rigid - maximise lateral grip when cornering at very high speed and quickly changing trajectory on the track whilst maintaining complete control. This special mix of shape/functionality has enabled the achievement of very consistent performance.

-CRT

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[DavidCorsaro]

Nice wheels CrystalRed!

If I end up not selling my CCWs, I'm going with 305/35/20 RS-3s this year on them. I already ordered 7mm spacers just in case.

[CrystalRedTintcoat]

Originally Posted by DavidCorsaro

Nice wheels CrystalRed!

If I end up not selling my CCWs, I'm going with 305/35/20 RS-3s this year on them. I already ordered 7mm spacers just in case.

My lug nuts won't stay tight. Seems that the aftermarket powder coating wasn't done correctly. I need to now, carefully, strip the inner lug nut holes to reveal metal.

The Trofeo R's are beasts. They gripped incredibly and my tire temp was very very even. Here are the temps from my reference lap (L/M/R) at 10:45am:

FRONT LEFT 116/120/122
FRONT RIGHT 128/124/126
REAR LEFT 118/125/128
REAR RIGHT 128/125/118