Slick tyres or Track Day tyres - non Westfield

[6carjon]

Guys

Experienced track day and occasional racer but never used slick tyres. I am contemplating buying some for my Citroen ZX 16v track car. It has three sets of wheels and slicks don't seem more expensive than track day tyres.

Thus my only worry is that it is a standard wet sump and don't want to put too much strain on the oil surge if I suddenly increase grip.

Should I buy hard slicks or used ones, and will I see a worthwhile improvement in grip over soft track day tyres ?

they need to last a season so no qualifying laps required and run for about 20 mins on a 1000kg car.

Any recommendations on compund and manufacturer appreciated. Current tyres are 205/50/15 on Federal FZ201.

I plan to put them front only and FZ201 rears as they don't get hot at all on the back as they spend most of time in the air...

Cheers Jon

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

From talking to those that have done the second hand slick thing, (I thought about that route when I went to R1R's for the road).

 

Pretty much they all said that the second hand slicks were on a par or maybe slightly better than a new, good quality, track day tyre.

 

It was only those that had bought brand new slicks that found huge improvements. But that only lasted till they'd had the same sort of heat cycling that the second hand ones had received, and then performance fell slightly.

 

However, that track day tyre performance of the s/h slicks was coming at a fraction of the cost of a set of new track day tyres.

 

As for sumps, personally, I'd feel uncomfortable, but then I don't know what the standard sump is like. Could you baffle and trap door it?

[6carjon]

Hi Dave

Yes its baffled and has a windage tray fitted so it is as good as a wet sump can be on this car. I did follow a simlar car at Mallory with used slicks and could just keep up with it, but only just and they were two up. So the cost and unknwown/slight improvement in performance are an attractive option.

My question is how good/dangerous are new slicks ?

[M444TTB]

Did the ZX 16v have the 1.9 alloy block? If so, and my memory is correct, then oil not being able to escape from the head is more of an issue.

[6carjon]

No it is the 2Litre Xu10 block same as the Peugeot 306 S16 and 306Gti6 engine

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

Here's another worry for you. I was on a trackday at an airfield (Hullavington I think) and a modified MG Midget was there too. He'd put telescopic dampers and other suspension mods on, plus sticky slicks. It went round corners like no Midget has any right to do - until the wheel studs give out. The additional stress allowed by the grip of the slicks snapped all four studs on one hub.

[Rory's Dad]

Here's another worry for you. I was on a trackday at an airfield (Hullavington I think) and a modified MG Midget was there too. He'd put telescopic dampers and other suspension mods on, plus sticky slicks. It went round corners like no Midget has any right to do - until the wheel studs give out. The additional stress allowed by the grip of the slicks snapped all four studs on one hub.

 

strewth!!!

[6carjon]

Yes seen similar where loose studs elongate holes and damage the wheel. Good reminder to check tightness before driving.

[Man On The Clapham Omnibus]

It's not tightness but simple tensile strength. Studs designed for road tyres have to resist far lower forces than they will encounter with slicks on. You may need to fit hubs with bigger holes for thicker studs or to accept thicker bolts whichever applies. High tensile replacements may be available. Loss of a wheel can embarrass . . . 

[6carjon]

OK thanks will look into it

[SteveH]

Most trackdayers using slicks are looking at budget as much as grip but there aren't that many part-worn 15" slicks out there as they aren't used in as many race series as 13/17/19" .

[6carjon]

Yes good point. I have found some but they are not common. Think they were ex rally car sourced. So far it seems to be new track day tyres so will price up some new fz201. They seem to suit the car well and last 5or 6 track days which is OK to balance with the westie too.

[CL290005]

The only 15 slicks I found were from the Ginetta championship, but as said are more expensive

[AdamR]

If it's just for track days have a look at Federal RSR 595s. I must have got 20 trackdays out of mine, grip is 90% as good as 888s / FZ201s but they are better in the wet, cheap (well under £300 a set in 15"). We also use them in the MX-5 race series where they will do a full season plus a couple of track days easily.

[6carjon]

Hi Adam. Thanks I already have some 595 on my other set for road use and cold weather/wet use. They are great, but on my heavier car, they are not as good as 201 on a hot day. Cheers jon