Track/DE 19" Tires for Cayman S

rshanholtz · 09-16-2009, 09:10 PM

I am about to purchase a set of track tires for 19" Champion RS 97 rims. Would love to get feedback from anyone running 19's on the track on tire choice. Also, what sizes. Fronts most likely will be 235/35R19 and rears either 265/35R19 or 275/35R19. I will drive the car to and from the track and have a second set for daily driving. I was running an 86' 951 with 17's using RA1 (tried the R888 but way too loud and real bad in wet). Any thoughts much appreciated. As an fyi, have bilsteins PSS9 for PASM on the 07' Cayman S and lowered. Current street tire is PS2's with 235/35ZR19 and 275/35ZR19.

RonCT · 09-21-2009, 05:58 PM

Not sure if this reply is too late or not, but I go the other direction when it comes to track set up for Boxster / Cayman / 911. 18" is the preferred format, not 19. On my 911 I run 18" OZ 8.5" front, 11" rear with 245/305 Toyo RA1. On the Boxster S, my kids are still running 235/265 stock PS2 - once those are toast, I'll go with 245/275 Nitto NT05 (hybrid tire - closer to R-comp).

It is atypical to purchase 19" wheels for the track, even on cars like my 997.2S that came stock with 19s.

As for tire choice in 18, R888 and RA1 is good. The trouble is finding a rear with a 26.3" (or close) diameter. Since 2005 Porsche changed from equal diameter front / rear of about 25.5. So now our cars need 25.5 front and about 26.3 rear - limits tire choice quite a bit.

If you are set on 19, then really the only picks are Toyo R888 (need 4 track days to wear in / heat cycle nicely and get maximum grip) or Michelin PSCup (extremely expensive and not "real" cups - they are a hybrid so they can put them on GT cars stock).

00r101 · 09-22-2009, 04:46 PM

+1 on 18s. 18s are lighter and 18 tires are more plentiful and cheaper than 19s. From a performance POV the only reason to go with big wheels is to fit over big brakes. Those Champions are really nice looking but I would go for something cheaper for a track wheel.

Here's what I suggest that will optimize your performance and minimize your costs:
1) Buy a set of beat up, used OEM 18" wheels - what you are looking for is something that has a little cosmetic damage only (like the owner curbed them and is now going to get a set of aftermarket wheels. The cost should be very reasonable - no more than $600 for the set. Use these for track days (and autocross)
2) Buy a set of high performance race tires for track and autocross. Make this a no-compromise set. You don't care if they are noisey and they don't have to be grteat in the rain. You will only use them for track and driving to the track so they will last you several seasons.
3) Keep your Champions for normal street driving. Get a set of nice street tires that take into consideration wet performance, noise and comfort.
4) Buy a jack and impact gun at Harbor Freight - $250 - $350.
5) Switch tires and wheels before and after a track day - takes about 10 minutes.

Your street tires won't get abused on the track. Your street wheels won't get abused on the track. You will be in hog heaven :-)

rshanholtz · 09-22-2009, 07:06 PM

Thanks all for your feedback. I already have the 19's unfortunately so I plan to wait until Spring and hope there are more tire options by then. If I find a nice used set of 18's I will pounce. I have 3 sets of rims for my 944T which is my former track car now for sale.

RonCT · 09-24-2009, 09:49 AM

Really can't go wrong with the new OZ Aleg. at Tire Rack. Ridiculously low price for new wheels with 2 year warranty. I picked up a set for my 09 C2S...

Jim Michaels · 09-24-2009, 02:01 PM

I run 18s, but you might consider my input anyway. For track (but not for AX), I like the Michelin Cups better than the R888s. The Cups give me more precise steering on track, and are quieter driving on to and from events.

RonCT · 09-24-2009, 03:19 PM

The R888 are really loud for sure, but the Cups need 1 to 2 laps on a road course to warm up and until they do, they aren't at all sticky. In other words, Cups won't work for AutoX.

Bearman · 11-01-2009, 03:58 PM

This may be a little late but if you want maximum grip track only tires for 19's I would go with Hoosier R6 (A6 for autocross) in stock sizes 235/35/19 fronts and 265/35/19. I use the A6's for autocross and everyone in my club agrees they are the best tire out there. I do drive them to the track but I only have to go about 12 miles. They will wear on the street but not even close to the wear you get pushing them on the track. Many club members drive 40 or 50 miles to get there and do not have a problem. It is the competitive use that wears them quickly. The R6's will even do better on the street as far as wear goes. (Hoosier does have a warning that they are not intended for street use)

09-16-2009, 09:10 PM	#1
rshanholtz Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ridgefield, CT Posts: 216	Track/DE 19" Tires for Cayman S I am about to purchase a set of track tires for 19" Champion RS 97 rims. Would love to get feedback from anyone running 19's on the track on tire choice. Also, what sizes. Fronts most likely will be 235/35R19 and rears either 265/35R19 or 275/35R19. I will drive the car to and from the track and have a second set for daily driving. I was running an 86' 951 with 17's using RA1 (tried the R888 but way too loud and real bad in wet). Any thoughts much appreciated. As an fyi, have bilsteins PSS9 for PASM on the 07' Cayman S and lowered. Current street tire is PS2's with 235/35ZR19 and 275/35ZR19. __________________ '09 Range Rover SC AutoBiography Edition '07 Cayman S Orange/Black '06 C2S Cabriolet Basalt Black/Black '06 CLK500 Cabriolet (Hers) '86 944 Turbo Guards Red/Black - FOR SALE

09-21-2009, 05:58 PM	#2
RonCT Moderator Rennlist Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 3,497	Not sure if this reply is too late or not, but I go the other direction when it comes to track set up for Boxster / Cayman / 911. 18" is the preferred format, not 19. On my 911 I run 18" OZ 8.5" front, 11" rear with 245/305 Toyo RA1. On the Boxster S, my kids are still running 235/265 stock PS2 - once those are toast, I'll go with 245/275 Nitto NT05 (hybrid tire - closer to R-comp). It is atypical to purchase 19" wheels for the track, even on cars like my 997.2S that came stock with 19s. As for tire choice in 18, R888 and RA1 is good. The trouble is finding a rear with a 26.3" (or close) diameter. Since 2005 Porsche changed from equal diameter front / rear of about 25.5. So now our cars need 25.5 front and about 26.3 rear - limits tire choice quite a bit. If you are set on 19, then really the only picks are Toyo R888 (need 4 track days to wear in / heat cycle nicely and get maximum grip) or Michelin PSCup (extremely expensive and not "real" cups - they are a hybrid so they can put them on GT cars stock). __________________ 2009 C2S Aqua Blue, Sport PASM / LSD, Cup Control Arms, PFC97 / SRF, Volk TE37 18" w/ RA1s, GT2 seats, Tequiptment bar, Schroth Profi II-H. 2007 GT3 Arctic Silver, bone stock. 2007 C2S Cobalt Blue, Cup Control Arms, PFC97s / SRF, Fikse 13 w/ RA1s. 1992 C2 Race Modified.

09-22-2009, 07:06 PM	#4
rshanholtz Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Ridgefield, CT Posts: 216	Thanks all for your feedback. I already have the 19's unfortunately so I plan to wait until Spring and hope there are more tire options by then. If I find a nice used set of 18's I will pounce. I have 3 sets of rims for my 944T which is my former track car now for sale. __________________ '09 Range Rover SC AutoBiography Edition '07 Cayman S Orange/Black '06 C2S Cabriolet Basalt Black/Black '06 CLK500 Cabriolet (Hers) '86 944 Turbo Guards Red/Black - FOR SALE

09-24-2009, 09:49 AM	#5
RonCT Moderator Rennlist Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 3,497	Really can't go wrong with the new OZ Aleg. at Tire Rack. Ridiculously low price for new wheels with 2 year warranty. I picked up a set for my 09 C2S... __________________ 2009 C2S Aqua Blue, Sport PASM / LSD, Cup Control Arms, PFC97 / SRF, Volk TE37 18" w/ RA1s, GT2 seats, Tequiptment bar, Schroth Profi II-H. 2007 GT3 Arctic Silver, bone stock. 2007 C2S Cobalt Blue, Cup Control Arms, PFC97s / SRF, Fikse 13 w/ RA1s. 1992 C2 Race Modified.

09-24-2009, 03:19 PM	#7
RonCT Moderator Rennlist Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Connecticut Posts: 3,497	The R888 are really loud for sure, but the Cups need 1 to 2 laps on a road course to warm up and until they do, they aren't at all sticky. In other words, Cups won't work for AutoX. __________________ 2009 C2S Aqua Blue, Sport PASM / LSD, Cup Control Arms, PFC97 / SRF, Volk TE37 18" w/ RA1s, GT2 seats, Tequiptment bar, Schroth Profi II-H. 2007 GT3 Arctic Silver, bone stock. 2007 C2S Cobalt Blue, Cup Control Arms, PFC97s / SRF, Fikse 13 w/ RA1s. 1992 C2 Race Modified.

09-22-2009, 04:46 PM	#3
00r101 User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lancaster, PA Posts: 115	+1 on 18s. 18s are lighter and 18 tires are more plentiful and cheaper than 19s. From a performance POV the only reason to go with big wheels is to fit over big brakes. Those Champions are really nice looking but I would go for something cheaper for a track wheel. Here's what I suggest that will optimize your performance and minimize your costs: 1) Buy a set of beat up, used OEM 18" wheels - what you are looking for is something that has a little cosmetic damage only (like the owner curbed them and is now going to get a set of aftermarket wheels. The cost should be very reasonable - no more than $600 for the set. Use these for track days (and autocross) 2) Buy a set of high performance race tires for track and autocross. Make this a no-compromise set. You don't care if they are noisey and they don't have to be grteat in the rain. You will only use them for track and driving to the track so they will last you several seasons. 3) Keep your Champions for normal street driving. Get a set of nice street tires that take into consideration wet performance, noise and comfort. 4) Buy a jack and impact gun at Harbor Freight - $250 - $350. 5) Switch tires and wheels before and after a track day - takes about 10 minutes. Your street tires won't get abused on the track. Your street wheels won't get abused on the track. You will be in hog heaven :-)

09-24-2009, 02:01 PM	#6
Jim Michaels Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Blacksburg, VA Posts: 1,804	I run 18s, but you might consider my input anyway. For track (but not for AX), I like the Michelin Cups better than the R888s. The Cups give me more precise steering on track, and are quieter driving on to and from events.

11-01-2009, 03:58 PM	#8
Bearman New User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1	This may be a little late but if you want maximum grip track only tires for 19's I would go with Hoosier R6 (A6 for autocross) in stock sizes 235/35/19 fronts and 265/35/19. I use the A6's for autocross and everyone in my club agrees they are the best tire out there. I do drive them to the track but I only have to go about 12 miles. They will wear on the street but not even close to the wear you get pushing them on the track. Many club members drive 40 or 50 miles to get there and do not have a problem. It is the competitive use that wears them quickly. The R6's will even do better on the street as far as wear goes. (Hoosier does have a warning that they are not intended for street use)