High performance/trackday/sprint tyres

Started by thetyrant, August 4, 2020, 08:17

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thetyrant

Quick update after a first trackday on these yesterday at Croft, it was cold and slightly damp to start the day with leaves and things on back of track so didnt push too hard until the dry line got a bit wider!, the damp running i did do they felt easily controllable on both braking and cornering,  by afternoon track was fully dry and i was able to punish the tyres with very good grip levels and feedback.

I was concerned about melting them as they are meant to "soft" compound but i think more a medium really as they held up very well, i only do 5-7 lap sessions so maybe someone who does longer sessions might have issues and be better with the harder compound but these seemed pretty durable, i will get a better look at them once all the picked up rubber from trackday wears off and i can see condition but inital inspection they looked fine and outer shoulders not overly scrubbed off.

All in all i would recommend these for high performance road and trackday/sprint use :D
Ex-2005 roadster  owner, i will be back :D

BahnStormer

Quote from: thetyrant on October 29, 2020, 11:02Quick update after a first trackday on these yesterday at Croft, it was cold and slightly damp to start the day with leaves and things on back of track so didnt push too hard until the dry line got a bit wider!, the damp running i did do they felt easily controllable on both braking and cornering,  by afternoon track was fully dry and i was able to punish the tyres with very good grip levels and feedback.

I was concerned about melting them as they are meant to "soft" compound but i think more a medium really as they held up very well, i only do 5-7 lap sessions so maybe someone who does longer sessions might have issues and be better with the harder compound but these seemed pretty durable, i will get a better look at them once all the picked up rubber from trackday wears off and i can see condition but inital inspection they looked fine and outer shoulders not overly scrubbed off.

All in all i would recommend these for high performance road and trackday/sprint use :D

and that's these ones? "Zestino Gredge 07RS"
Black 2006: AC & heated leather: 4x Megillian braces, Koni/Tein custom suspension, MTEC+YS+braided brakes, Toyosports manifold, TTE exhaust, Conti PremiumContact2(summer)/ Conti TS860S(winter) / YokoAD08RS (track/summer), Pioneer MVH-390BT + TS-E171ci, FBSW, Robbins mohair hood.

thetyrant

Quote from: BahnStormer on October 30, 2020, 23:51and that's these ones? "Zestino Gredge 07RS"

Yes thats what ive got fitted :D
Ex-2005 roadster  owner, i will be back :D

thetyrant

Been awhile since i updated this as my MR2 has be sorn and in garage since end of November :(  i bought an old Honda CRV for winter duties but that is now gone along with hopefully worst of winter weather so MR2 is back out garage and on the road :D

1st up I had forgotten how much fun these cars are to drive! even in some very wet and cold conditions i faced this weekend the Zestino tyres were awesome on some very wet local A & B roads, way better than the older Yokohama AD08 i ran on another car which i would say is most similar thing to these Zestinos, as in a road tyre that can handle track heat, the water dispersal on these is way better feeling much less skitish even on the light front end of these cars, while yes on big puddles they did start to plane a little i think no more so than the Michelin PS4 on my BMW would and at normal/safe speeds no issue what so ever with deeper water, i was pushing on a little a few times to try and get a better feel for the wet limits but once slowed down no worries about the puddles :D

There was some concern about rubber going hard after been sat unused for 3 months or so but still feels just as good as when it went in garage despite the cold/wet weather, also im interested to see how more track heat cycles affect the rubber as that is often the big difference with the cheaper track tyre which start to harden up much quicker than a more premium brand ime, we will see after some more track miles when i get chance to get it out again.

So anyone looking for a high performance tyre without breaking the bank with excellent dry grip and respectable wet grip i would totally recommend these, and no i wasnt paid or given these tyres to say that :D
Ex-2005 roadster  owner, i will be back :D

1979scotte

Quote from: thetyrant on March 15, 2021, 08:22Been awhile since i updated this as my MR2 has be sorn and in garage since end of November :(  i bought an old Honda CRV for winter duties but that is now gone along with hopefully worst of winter weather so MR2 is back out garage and on the road :D

1st up I had forgotten how much fun these cars are to drive! even in some very wet and cold conditions i faced this weekend the Zestino tyres were awesome on some very wet local A & B roads, way better than the older Yokohama AD08 i ran on another car which i would say is most similar thing to these Zestinos, as in a road tyre that can handle track heat, the water dispersal on these is way better feeling much less skitish even on the light front end of these cars, while yes on big puddles they did start to plane a little i think no more so than the Michelin PS4 on my BMW would and at normal/safe speeds no issue what so ever with deeper water, i was pushing on a little a few times to try and get a better feel for the wet limits but once slowed down no worries about the puddles :D

There was some concern about rubber going hard after been sat unused for 3 months or so but still feels just as good as when it went in garage despite the cold/wet weather, also im interested to see how more track heat cycles affect the rubber as that is often the big difference with the cheaper track tyre which start to harden up much quicker than a more premium brand ime, we will see after some more track miles when i get chance to get it out again.

So anyone looking for a high performance tyre without breaking the bank with excellent dry grip and respectable wet grip i would totally recommend these, and no i wasnt paid or given these tyres to say that :D

Time to confess you own the company don't you?
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Free Ukraine 🇺🇦

thetyrant

Ex-2005 roadster  owner, i will be back :D

JB21

Quote from: thetyrant on March 15, 2021, 08:22Been awhile since i updated this as my MR2 has be sorn and in garage since end of November :(  i bought an old Honda CRV for winter duties but that is now gone along with hopefully worst of winter weather so MR2 is back out garage and on the road :D

1st up I had forgotten how much fun these cars are to drive! even in some very wet and cold conditions i faced this weekend the Zestino tyres were awesome on some very wet local A & B roads, way better than the older Yokohama AD08 i ran on another car which i would say is most similar thing to these Zestinos, as in a road tyre that can handle track heat, the water dispersal on these is way better feeling much less skitish even on the light front end of these cars, while yes on big puddles they did start to plane a little i think no more so than the Michelin PS4 on my BMW would and at normal/safe speeds no issue what so ever with deeper water, i was pushing on a little a few times to try and get a better feel for the wet limits but once slowed down no worries about the puddles :D

There was some concern about rubber going hard after been sat unused for 3 months or so but still feels just as good as when it went in garage despite the cold/wet weather, also im interested to see how more track heat cycles affect the rubber as that is often the big difference with the cheaper track tyre which start to harden up much quicker than a more premium brand ime, we will see after some more track miles when i get chance to get it out again.

So anyone looking for a high performance tyre without breaking the bank with excellent dry grip and respectable wet grip i would totally recommend these, and no i wasnt paid or given these tyres to say that :D

Looked at these before purchasing a set of MRF ZTR's. The lack of decent stagger killed the idea. 195/205 in 15" only.

thetyrant

Quote from: JB21 on March 15, 2021, 11:25Looked at these before purchasing a set of MRF ZTR's. The lack of decent stagger killed the idea. 195/205 in 15" only.

Yes lack of sizes is only issue really but i got lucky they did sizes i wanted :), i hope you get on better with the MRF than last person i spoke to with them, although to be fair he was sprinting so not same as trackdays etc, he just couldnt get any heat into them and even after 2 hard laps of 3sisters they were barely warm and very slidey!, few more laps they would of come on im sure though :)
Ex-2005 roadster  owner, i will be back :D

1979scotte

Quote from: thetyrant on March 15, 2021, 12:53
Quote from: JB21 on March 15, 2021, 11:25Looked at these before purchasing a set of MRF ZTR's. The lack of decent stagger killed the idea. 195/205 in 15" only.

Yes lack of sizes is only issue really but i got lucky they did sizes i wanted :), i hope you get on better with the MRF than last person i spoke to with them, although to be fair he was sprinting so not same as trackdays etc, he just couldnt get any heat into them and even after 2 hard laps of 3sisters they were barely warm and very slidey!, few more laps they would of come on im sure though :)

Quote from: JB21 on March 15, 2021, 11:25
Quote from: thetyrant on March 15, 2021, 08:22Been awhile since i updated this as my MR2 has be sorn and in garage since end of November :(  i bought an old Honda CRV for winter duties but that is now gone along with hopefully worst of winter weather so MR2 is back out garage and on the road :D

1st up I had forgotten how much fun these cars are to drive! even in some very wet and cold conditions i faced this weekend the Zestino tyres were awesome on some very wet local A & B roads, way better than the older Yokohama AD08 i ran on another car which i would say is most similar thing to these Zestinos, as in a road tyre that can handle track heat, the water dispersal on these is way better feeling much less skitish even on the light front end of these cars, while yes on big puddles they did start to plane a little i think no more so than the Michelin PS4 on my BMW would and at normal/safe speeds no issue what so ever with deeper water, i was pushing on a little a few times to try and get a better feel for the wet limits but once slowed down no worries about the puddles :D

There was some concern about rubber going hard after been sat unused for 3 months or so but still feels just as good as when it went in garage despite the cold/wet weather, also im interested to see how more track heat cycles affect the rubber as that is often the big difference with the cheaper track tyre which start to harden up much quicker than a more premium brand ime, we will see after some more track miles when i get chance to get it out again.

So anyone looking for a high performance tyre without breaking the bank with excellent dry grip and respectable wet grip i would totally recommend these, and no i wasnt paid or given these tyres to say that :D

Looked at these before purchasing a set of MRF ZTR's. The lack of decent stagger killed the idea. 195/205 in 15" only.

It's tempting to try on my pfl alloys.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Free Ukraine 🇺🇦

JB21

Quote from: thetyrant on March 15, 2021, 12:53
Quote from: JB21 on March 15, 2021, 11:25Looked at these before purchasing a set of MRF ZTR's. The lack of decent stagger killed the idea. 195/205 in 15" only.

Yes lack of sizes is only issue really but i got lucky they did sizes i wanted :), i hope you get on better with the MRF than last person i spoke to with them, although to be fair he was sprinting so not same as trackdays etc, he just couldnt get any heat into them and even after 2 hard laps of 3sisters they were barely warm and very slidey!, few more laps they would of come on im sure though :)

Yeah done the research beforehand and this was the only downside, but the upside is they last ages and once up to temp the window of peak grip stays open much longer, compared to the AR1's they're replacing.

I was going to sell my wets with Rainsports on, but these are being kept now as the MRF's wont be any good in damp/wet/cold conditions on the road or track.

pistol pete

Another vote for the V70a Kumhos, I ran them on my mk2, but they don't do the sizes i/we want for the mk3.. but they are a mega tyre!!

Be interested to see how you get on with these new ones, i have r888r which i ran last year for track days, for the sprints i am going to try the A052s

Madeinwigan

A bit of an update on this set of tyres.

I bought the car off thetyrant, it's a fantastic car and a credit to him. I went to Oulton Park last December for my first track day in the car.

I was very happy with the tyres, they had good grip and the breakaway was progressive. I did start to feel vibrations as the day went on and there were some strange noises coming from the tyres. Once back in the pits I could see a few long, thin strips of tread coming off the tyres which is something I'd not experienced before.

There was still plenty of tread left on the tyres and apart from the vibrations the grip was still good. A couple of session in and I was going round Druids, a challenging corner at the best of times, when the n/s rear tyre let go.

I limped back the the pits and was surprised to find that the inner edge had been destroyed in at least three places. The front n/s tyre was showing signs of delaminating as well.

I'd have been happy to buy another set of them until the puncture but I'll try another brand now.




AJRFulton

You're not the first person I've seen report similar with Zestino tyres, albeit first in an MR2.


JB21

What camber is/was the car running? I've delaminated plenty of tyres running inadequate negative camber. MK3 needs at least -2.5mm for track work and even tyre wear.

Madeinwigan

I've no idea what camber I have, the wear on the tyres is even and doesn't suggest that it's been working the insides too hard.




thetyrant

OH hell that is not a pretty site!   glad you managed to keep it out the armco though, i guess cheap tyres are that for a reason but the grip vs ££ on the zestinos was very impressive shame they didnt last, i cant remember how much track work i did with them, think i was couple of sprints and half a trackday before a monsoon came in as well as good few road miles, i will have a record of mileage they were fitted though so let me know what its done now i can compare.

Good to hear car is still being enjoyed though, another i should of kept really!
Ex-2005 roadster  owner, i will be back :D

Madeinwigan

I've done three track days with the car, two at Oulton and one at Donington. I only used the Zestinos for one day, about 20 or so laps before it popped. They were good while they lasted.

I've really enjoyed the old road tyres, the way the car moves around with them fitted is great fun.

I can see why you regret selling it, great news is that there's still loads left! I must admit that I hadn't been convinced by MR2's on the road but I can't get over how much fun they are on track, my friend enjoyed it so much that he's bought one as well!

JB21

Ive been in search for the holy grail tyre, the one that can do all and the closest ive found is the Yokohama A052. Fantastic in the dry, good in the cold, damp, light rain, and even OK in heavy rain if you have tread remaining. You can even rotate them front to back, side to side if all the same size.

AJRFulton

#43
I'd agree the A052 is about as close to the perfect universal tyre as you will get.

It is IMO the best list 1a/b/c tyre on a damp or patchy track, it's probably the best on a cold day, and near the best on a dry track in summer. It works ok as an intermediate, and it is only full wet weather when it starts coming unstuck - but even then it's not awful.

If you only had 1 set of track day wheels, it's 100% the tyre I'd say to fit to them.

I do wonder why nobody really makes an intermediate track tyre. Toyo made them with the R1R, but they were discontinued 3yrs ago.

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