Track day tyres
- Markl17
- Club Member
- Posts: 438
- Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:24 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Stormy Blue
- Location: France
- Has thanked: 46 times
- Been thanked: 193 times
Track day tyres
Hi
I use Nankang na 2 r tyres.i have just taken them off to put the road wheels back on and noticed the front left has a ripple in the inner side wall I will post a pic but hard to see.
It looks like the side wall is de laminating but this is only a guess.it was very hot on Sunday and I was running the tyres at 1.7 bar hot.was this pressure to low or was it just the heat? It would be nice to have some opinions so I do not destroy any more tyres.
Also replacement recommendations would be helpful
Thanks mark
I use Nankang na 2 r tyres.i have just taken them off to put the road wheels back on and noticed the front left has a ripple in the inner side wall I will post a pic but hard to see.
It looks like the side wall is de laminating but this is only a guess.it was very hot on Sunday and I was running the tyres at 1.7 bar hot.was this pressure to low or was it just the heat? It would be nice to have some opinions so I do not destroy any more tyres.
Also replacement recommendations would be helpful
Thanks mark
- Conan
- Club Member
- Posts: 6249
- Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2011 9:22 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Brilliant Black
- Location: Cotswolds
- Has thanked: 60 times
- Been thanked: 749 times
Re: Track day tyres
That’s way too low for 1500 Kls of car in that heat
You probably should have been on 32 pounds not 25
I would advise that you buy Federal 595 RSRs for track day semi slicks
Regards
Pete
You probably should have been on 32 pounds not 25
I would advise that you buy Federal 595 RSRs for track day semi slicks
Regards
Pete
- These users thanked the author Conan for the post (total 2):
- Markl17 (Wed Aug 12, 2020 4:27 pm) • ChrisHolmes (Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:58 pm)
- Markl17
- Club Member
- Posts: 438
- Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:24 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Stormy Blue
- Location: France
- Has thanked: 46 times
- Been thanked: 193 times
Re: Track day tyres
Thanks Pete
I have just had a look at the federal 595 RSRs and they seam a be good value at 105 euro each do they last a decent amount of time? ( if I look after them properly)
Mark
- casey
- Committee Member
- Posts: 9958
- Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2004 7:14 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Titanium Grey
- Location: Colchester
- Has thanked: 1247 times
- Been thanked: 1465 times
Re: Track day tyres
I've had 5 sets of 595 RSRs and, if dry weather is forecast, usually put the wheels on the car to drive to the circuit, do the trackday and drive back on them. I'd say I got an average of around 7 full trackdays out of them with this usage. The front outer shoulders will wear most, so swapping front and rear pairs helps even the wear a bit. I've even managed 11 trackdays by reversing a set of tyres on the rims to use the better shoulders!
Beware using these tyres in very wet conditions when tread is less than 3mm. Cornering gets quite interesting!
Beware using these tyres in very wet conditions when tread is less than 3mm. Cornering gets quite interesting!
- These users thanked the author casey for the post (total 2):
- Markl17 (Wed Aug 12, 2020 7:02 pm) • ChrisHolmes (Wed Aug 12, 2020 8:58 pm)
Club Secretary
Essex Rotary Full Bridgeport
Seibon Carbon Fibre Bonnet
"Racing Brake" front calipers, Racing Beat (RB) ARB's F&R, RB REVI intake, full RB Stainless Steel Exhaust & Mani, 20mm Eibach spacers, KOYO Ali Rad, Lightened Fly, Tein MonoFlex coilovers & strut brace, Axial short-shifter, BHR Coils & Engine Mounts, Greddy Sump
Federal 595RS-R or Rainsport 3
Essex Rotary Full Bridgeport
Seibon Carbon Fibre Bonnet
"Racing Brake" front calipers, Racing Beat (RB) ARB's F&R, RB REVI intake, full RB Stainless Steel Exhaust & Mani, 20mm Eibach spacers, KOYO Ali Rad, Lightened Fly, Tein MonoFlex coilovers & strut brace, Axial short-shifter, BHR Coils & Engine Mounts, Greddy Sump
Federal 595RS-R or Rainsport 3
- Markl17
- Club Member
- Posts: 438
- Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:24 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Stormy Blue
- Location: France
- Has thanked: 46 times
- Been thanked: 193 times
Re: Track day tyres
I think I will order a set is 235/40/18 the best size to buy for stock wheels? This is the size of the nankangs I wrecked.
Thanks mark
Thanks mark
- casey
- Committee Member
- Posts: 9958
- Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2004 7:14 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Titanium Grey
- Location: Colchester
- Has thanked: 1247 times
- Been thanked: 1465 times
Re: Track day tyres
Yep, that's the size I've been using 

Club Secretary
Essex Rotary Full Bridgeport
Seibon Carbon Fibre Bonnet
"Racing Brake" front calipers, Racing Beat (RB) ARB's F&R, RB REVI intake, full RB Stainless Steel Exhaust & Mani, 20mm Eibach spacers, KOYO Ali Rad, Lightened Fly, Tein MonoFlex coilovers & strut brace, Axial short-shifter, BHR Coils & Engine Mounts, Greddy Sump
Federal 595RS-R or Rainsport 3
Essex Rotary Full Bridgeport
Seibon Carbon Fibre Bonnet
"Racing Brake" front calipers, Racing Beat (RB) ARB's F&R, RB REVI intake, full RB Stainless Steel Exhaust & Mani, 20mm Eibach spacers, KOYO Ali Rad, Lightened Fly, Tein MonoFlex coilovers & strut brace, Axial short-shifter, BHR Coils & Engine Mounts, Greddy Sump
Federal 595RS-R or Rainsport 3
- warpc0il
- Spin Doctor
- Posts: 26531
- Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:56 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Lightning Yellow
- Location: Groomsport, Co Down, NI
- Has thanked: 491 times
- Been thanked: 2000 times
- Contact:
- Markl17
- Club Member
- Posts: 438
- Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:24 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Stormy Blue
- Location: France
- Has thanked: 46 times
- Been thanked: 193 times
Re: Track day tyres
The curb are very tempting there,
Mark
Mark
- These users thanked the author Markl17 for the post:
- Vj4sothername (Thu Aug 13, 2020 8:27 am)
- Conan
- Club Member
- Posts: 6249
- Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2011 9:22 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Brilliant Black
- Location: Cotswolds
- Has thanked: 60 times
- Been thanked: 749 times
Re: Track day tyres
Hi Mark,
235x40 is the best size for most on track or road.
The Federal RSRs are good value for money and can last approx 9 open pit lane track days
depending on conditions and driver. You can run them at 30 psi on road and 32 on track, they have a stiff sidewall.
You should run camber of 11/2 to 2 degrees depending on speed of cornering and front wheels straight ahead.
Curbs are there to drive on ( there part of the track )
And what Casey (Malcolm) said
Have fun
Pete
235x40 is the best size for most on track or road.
The Federal RSRs are good value for money and can last approx 9 open pit lane track days
depending on conditions and driver. You can run them at 30 psi on road and 32 on track, they have a stiff sidewall.
You should run camber of 11/2 to 2 degrees depending on speed of cornering and front wheels straight ahead.
Curbs are there to drive on ( there part of the track )

And what Casey (Malcolm) said
Have fun
Pete
- warpc0il
- Spin Doctor
- Posts: 26531
- Joined: Sat Sep 06, 2008 10:56 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Lightning Yellow
- Location: Groomsport, Co Down, NI
- Has thanked: 491 times
- Been thanked: 2000 times
- Contact:
Re: Track day tyres
Riding the curbs is fine, it's just when you drop in the hole just beyond the curb that it can hurt.
Saw an MX-5 "track weapon" completely remove the inner bead from the rim doing this at Kirkistown, despite the warning in the briefing, and the holes being pointed-out in the pre-start track walk.
Saw an MX-5 "track weapon" completely remove the inner bead from the rim doing this at Kirkistown, despite the warning in the briefing, and the holes being pointed-out in the pre-start track walk.
- Markl17
- Club Member
- Posts: 438
- Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:24 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Stormy Blue
- Location: France
- Has thanked: 46 times
- Been thanked: 193 times
Re: Track day tyres
I had a delivery today,I just need to get them fitted now.
Then I have a track day on the 6th of September
Mark
Sorry I cannot rotate the pictures
Then I have a track day on the 6th of September
Mark
Sorry I cannot rotate the pictures
- casey
- Committee Member
- Posts: 9958
- Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2004 7:14 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Titanium Grey
- Location: Colchester
- Has thanked: 1247 times
- Been thanked: 1465 times
Re: Track day tyres
Well done, let us know how you find them.
Based on my experience and many other "trackies" on here, you'll love pushing these on track! The grip and confidence they give powering through corners is brilliant.
Based on my experience and many other "trackies" on here, you'll love pushing these on track! The grip and confidence they give powering through corners is brilliant.
Club Secretary
Essex Rotary Full Bridgeport
Seibon Carbon Fibre Bonnet
"Racing Brake" front calipers, Racing Beat (RB) ARB's F&R, RB REVI intake, full RB Stainless Steel Exhaust & Mani, 20mm Eibach spacers, KOYO Ali Rad, Lightened Fly, Tein MonoFlex coilovers & strut brace, Axial short-shifter, BHR Coils & Engine Mounts, Greddy Sump
Federal 595RS-R or Rainsport 3
Essex Rotary Full Bridgeport
Seibon Carbon Fibre Bonnet
"Racing Brake" front calipers, Racing Beat (RB) ARB's F&R, RB REVI intake, full RB Stainless Steel Exhaust & Mani, 20mm Eibach spacers, KOYO Ali Rad, Lightened Fly, Tein MonoFlex coilovers & strut brace, Axial short-shifter, BHR Coils & Engine Mounts, Greddy Sump
Federal 595RS-R or Rainsport 3
- v-rex
- Club Member
- Posts: 917
- Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2018 9:24 pm
- RX-8: PZ
- Colour: Brilliant Black
- Location: Pinner, NW London
- Has thanked: 518 times
- Been thanked: 193 times
Re: Track day tyres
- These users thanked the author v-rex for the post (total 2):
- Markl17 (Mon Aug 17, 2020 6:00 pm) • GreySilver Beast (Mon Aug 17, 2020 6:56 pm)
- v-rex
- Club Member
- Posts: 917
- Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2018 9:24 pm
- RX-8: PZ
- Colour: Brilliant Black
- Location: Pinner, NW London
- Has thanked: 518 times
- Been thanked: 193 times
Re: Track day tyres
Are federal 595R's road legal? Can you drive to the track with them? Or do you swap them somehow once there?
- casey
- Committee Member
- Posts: 9958
- Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2004 7:14 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Titanium Grey
- Location: Colchester
- Has thanked: 1247 times
- Been thanked: 1465 times
Re: Track day tyres
Road legal 

Club Secretary
Essex Rotary Full Bridgeport
Seibon Carbon Fibre Bonnet
"Racing Brake" front calipers, Racing Beat (RB) ARB's F&R, RB REVI intake, full RB Stainless Steel Exhaust & Mani, 20mm Eibach spacers, KOYO Ali Rad, Lightened Fly, Tein MonoFlex coilovers & strut brace, Axial short-shifter, BHR Coils & Engine Mounts, Greddy Sump
Federal 595RS-R or Rainsport 3
Essex Rotary Full Bridgeport
Seibon Carbon Fibre Bonnet
"Racing Brake" front calipers, Racing Beat (RB) ARB's F&R, RB REVI intake, full RB Stainless Steel Exhaust & Mani, 20mm Eibach spacers, KOYO Ali Rad, Lightened Fly, Tein MonoFlex coilovers & strut brace, Axial short-shifter, BHR Coils & Engine Mounts, Greddy Sump
Federal 595RS-R or Rainsport 3
- New Duke
- Club Member
- Posts: 2409
- Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2016 8:38 pm
- RX-8: R3
- Colour: Sparkling Black
- Location: Colchester, Essex
- Has thanked: 793 times
- Been thanked: 712 times
- Markl17
- Club Member
- Posts: 438
- Joined: Fri Jun 02, 2017 2:24 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Stormy Blue
- Location: France
- Has thanked: 46 times
- Been thanked: 193 times
Re: Track day tyres
The ns2r’s were bad in the wet ,luckily the roads do not get to cold here ,thanks for the heads up.
Mark
- v-rex
- Club Member
- Posts: 917
- Joined: Wed Jan 31, 2018 9:24 pm
- RX-8: PZ
- Colour: Brilliant Black
- Location: Pinner, NW London
- Has thanked: 518 times
- Been thanked: 193 times
- V8 Power
- Committee Member
- Posts: 9428
- Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2014 8:48 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Strato Blue
- Location: Evesham Worcestershire
- Has thanked: 234 times
- Been thanked: 487 times
Re: Track day tyres
They are ok in the wet you just need to get a bit of heat in them.
Peripheral Ported intake and exhaust
Carbon seats
Sabelt 6 point harnesses
Direct cold air feed
Tein Monosport coilovers
Lexan front windows with sliders
Carbon Adjustable wing
Feed gearknob
Axial short shift
OMP suede wheel with quick release
RE Amemiya front splitter & canards
Autec lightweight alloys
Whiteline ARB's
Stripped interior
MSD leads
Carbon seats
Sabelt 6 point harnesses
Direct cold air feed
Tein Monosport coilovers
Lexan front windows with sliders
Carbon Adjustable wing
Feed gearknob
Axial short shift
OMP suede wheel with quick release
RE Amemiya front splitter & canards
Autec lightweight alloys
Whiteline ARB's
Stripped interior
MSD leads
- casey
- Committee Member
- Posts: 9958
- Joined: Sun Jun 27, 2004 7:14 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Titanium Grey
- Location: Colchester
- Has thanked: 1247 times
- Been thanked: 1465 times
Re: Track day tyres
I drove around Oulton Park on brand new 595RSRs in the wet and was impressed by the grip. I found they were "OK" in the wet until the tread got down to ~3mm, then you had to be cautious.
Club Secretary
Essex Rotary Full Bridgeport
Seibon Carbon Fibre Bonnet
"Racing Brake" front calipers, Racing Beat (RB) ARB's F&R, RB REVI intake, full RB Stainless Steel Exhaust & Mani, 20mm Eibach spacers, KOYO Ali Rad, Lightened Fly, Tein MonoFlex coilovers & strut brace, Axial short-shifter, BHR Coils & Engine Mounts, Greddy Sump
Federal 595RS-R or Rainsport 3
Essex Rotary Full Bridgeport
Seibon Carbon Fibre Bonnet
"Racing Brake" front calipers, Racing Beat (RB) ARB's F&R, RB REVI intake, full RB Stainless Steel Exhaust & Mani, 20mm Eibach spacers, KOYO Ali Rad, Lightened Fly, Tein MonoFlex coilovers & strut brace, Axial short-shifter, BHR Coils & Engine Mounts, Greddy Sump
Federal 595RS-R or Rainsport 3
- benedwards64
- Former Member
- Posts: 252
- Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2012 9:03 pm
- RX-8: 231
- Colour: Galaxy Grey
- Location: Oxfordshire
- Has thanked: 19 times
- Been thanked: 36 times
Re: Track day tyres
Re: pressure, I've run dozens of track days and sprints on either Toyo R888R or Yoko A050s. I tend to set pressures 'cold' at 26psi, then let them rise up to 28 or so.
- These users thanked the author benedwards64 for the post (total 2):
- Markl17 (Wed Aug 19, 2020 4:19 pm) • New Duke (Wed Aug 19, 2020 11:42 pm)