Whether you’re gearing up for your first track experience or you’re a seasoned driver looking to shave more time off of your laps, having the right tires for your needs is essential to being safe and having a great experience on the track.

What type of tires are right for you? It is highly dependent on your experience level, track conditions, and a range of other variables, and most track tires are divided into the following categories:

Street Tires

For those who drive the car they intend to take to the track on a daily basis, street tires are a popular option. Many performance oriented cars come with these from the factory, and they work well for beginners who are focusing on building their skills rather than nailing the lowest lap time possible. The Michelin Pilot Super Sport is a perfect example of a performance street tire.

                Pros

• Readily available
• Low price
• Can be driven on to and from the track with ease
• Good performance in the rain

Extreme Performance Tires

These are really a more aggressive subsection of street tires, but they are designed to withstand occasional track day abuse. Extreme performance tires put a higher priority on dry traction than street tires, and are well suited for daily drivers that double as track day cars, or they can be mounted on separate wheels for track only use. The Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08 R is an example of a tire in this category.

                Pros

• Better dry grip than street tires
• Increased durability over track-only options
• Readily available
• Strong value for money

Streetable Track Tires

Taking one more step towards dedicated track performance, streetable track tires use many of the same rubber compounds and technologies used by dedicated track tires but have enough of a tread pattern to make them drivable in damp conditions. The Toyo Proxes R888r is a good example of a streetable track tire.

                Pros

• Even more grip than an extreme performance tire
• You can still drive to and from the track on them, meaning no need for a second set of wheels
• They make great alternatives to specialized track tires if the track surface is damp

Dedicated Track Tires

For the ultimate in dry grip, nothing beats a dedicated track tire. In order to be as grippy as possible, they have little to no streetability, and are mostly suited for experienced drivers. They should always be mounted on a separate set of wheels and put on the car at the track. The Hoosier A7 is a prime example of a dedicated track tire.

                Pros

• The absolute maximum amount of dry grip available
• The additional grip allows you to push the car harder, resulting in lower lap times

If you’re looking for every advantage over other drivers, be sure to buy tires that are suited for your needs. If you’re looking to improve your driving skills even further, or put your skills to the test, join us for a track day or one of our driver’s education classes! Call us today at (407) 804-0892 with any questions.