My thoughts on tires for the track

[tforth]

FYI, I have read a lot of car mags over the past couple decades, and so far have come across only one objective track tire comparison. It was in the German 'sport auto' magazine No. 10/2002.

It compared 4 track tires (225/40YR18 front, 285/30YR18 rear) on the first generation GT3, around the short course at Hockenheim (Germany - for those unfamiliar). With a reported ambient temp. of 28°C (82°F in the 'old' units), the best lap times, with comments were as follows:

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 1:17.7 (excellent overall)
Pirelli P Zero Corsa 1:18.1 (good overall)
Yokohama Advan A048 1:18.5 (excellent turn-in, snap oversteer)
Dunlop Super Sport Race 1:18.8 (very progressive, but 'slow')