Last Updated on 7 days
Explore the best Track Tires for Unmatched Speed and Control.
Any car enthusiast will tell you that proper rubber is crucial for performance driving. The world of track tires is divided into roughly two categories. One is competition rubber, a tire that isn’t legal for street use, and the other is performance tires that can be used on the street but are designed for track days and semi-competition. Today, we will concentrate on the latter category and discuss the best track tires for your street-legal machine. These tires are engineered to provide optimal traction, handling, and durability under extreme driving situations encountered in motorsports and track events. However, you must know a few things before buying this specific rubber.
What To Know Before Shopping for Best Track Tires
Slick Tread Design:
Many track tires have a slick or nearly slick tread pattern, meaning they lack traditional tread grooves in regular road tires. This maximizes the contact patch with the road surface, enhancing grip and cornering performance on smooth, dry track surfaces.
Soft and Sticky Compound:
Track tires typically use a softer rubber compound compared to regular tires. This softer rubber provides better grip and traction but tends to wear out more quickly, especially under usual driving conditions on regular roads.
High-Performance Construction:
The construction of track tires is optimized for performance, with features like reinforced sidewalls and belts to handle the high speeds, cornering forces, and temperatures experienced during track driving.
Heat Resistance:
Track tires are designed to withstand high temperatures generated during aggressive driving. The materials and construction are tailored to prevent tire overheating and maintain consistent performance throughout a race or track session.
Tread Wear:
Due to their emphasis on maximizing grip and performance, track tires typically have a shorter lifespan than regular tires. Their soft rubber compound and minimal tread depth mean they wear out quickly, mainly when used on abrasive track surfaces.
Optimized for Dry Conditions:
Most track tires are designed primarily for dry track conditions. They are less effective or unsafe to use in wet or cold conditions due to the lack of tread patterns for water dispersion and reduced flexibility in colder temperatures.
Variety of Compounds and Designs:
Depending on the specific racing discipline and track surface, there are different types of track tires available, including slicks (completely smooth), semi-slicks (minimal tread pattern), and wet-weather racing tires (with grooves for water dispersal).
Best Track Tires In 2024
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2
The Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 is a high-performance track tire designed for enthusiasts and drivers seeking exceptional grip and handling capabilities on the race track or during spirited driving.
Compound and Tread Design:
The Pilot Sport Cup 2 features a specialized tread compound optimized for high-performance driving. It offers superior grip and responsiveness, especially in dry conditions. The tread pattern maximizes the contact patch with the road surface, enhancing traction during acceleration, braking, and cornering maneuvers.
Performance and Handling:
The Pilot Sport Cup 2 delivers impressive levels of grip, allowing for higher cornering speeds and precise handling. The tire provides consistent feedback and stability, giving drivers confidence at the limit of adhesion. Responsive Steering: The tire’s construction and compound contribute to precise steering response, enhancing the driver’s control and feedback.
Construction and Durability:
The tire’s construction includes reinforced sidewalls and belts to withstand the high speeds and cornering forces encountered during track driving. The Pilot Sport Cup 2 is designed to manage heat buildup effectively, maintaining performance over extended track sessions without significant degradation.
Versatility:
While primarily designed for track use, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 can also be used for spirited driving on the road. It balances track performance and road manners, although it may sacrifice some comfort and longevity compared to standard tires.
Applications:
The Pilot Sport Cup 2 is popular among track day enthusiasts and amateur racers looking to maximize their vehicle’s performance on the race track. Tires are often chosen as original equipment for high-performance sports cars and supercars due to their exceptional capabilities.
Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R
The Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R is a highly regarded high-performance summer tire designed for enthusiasts and drivers seeking exceptional grip and handling capabilities, particularly in dry conditions and for spirited driving on the road and the track.
Compound and Tread Design:
The RE-71R utilizes a specialized compound that provides excellent grip and responsiveness, especially in dry conditions. The tire features an asymmetric tread design with large shoulder blocks and a continuous center rib for enhanced cornering stability and steering response.
Performance and Handling:
The Potenza RE-71R delivers impressive levels of dry grip, allowing for high cornering speeds and precise handling. The tire offers precise steering response, providing excellent feedback and control during aggressive driving maneuvers. It maintains stability and predictability at the limit, offering confidence-inspiring performance for drivers pushing the envelope.
Construction and Durability:
The tire is engineered with a reinforced internal structure, including sidewalls and belts, to handle the demands of spirited driving and track use. The RE-71R is designed to manage heat buildup effectively, ensuring consistent performance during extended periods of aggressive driving.
Versatility:
While primarily designed for performance driving, including track days and autocross events, the Potenza RE-71R can also be used for spirited street driving. It balances high-performance capabilities and reasonable tread life for a summer tire in its category.
Applications:
The Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R is popular among autocross participants and track day enthusiasts looking for competitive lap times and responsive handling. This tire is often chosen as original equipment or aftermarket upgrade for sports cars and enthusiast vehicles due to its exceptional performance characteristics.
Yokohama ADVAN A052
The Yokohama ADVAN A052 is a high-performance summer tire designed for enthusiasts and drivers seeking excellent grip and handling capabilities on the road and the track. It is known for its outstanding performance in dry conditions, making it a popular choice among autocross participants, track day enthusiasts, and drivers of high-performance sports cars.
Compound and Tread Design:
The ADVAN A052 features a high-grip tread compound that delivers exceptional traction and responsiveness, especially in dry conditions. The tire’s tread pattern is inspired by motorsport designs, with a large continuous center rib and aggressive shoulder blocks for enhanced cornering stability and steering response.
Performance and Handling:
The ADVAN A052 provides excellent dry grip, allowing for high cornering grip and precise handling. The tire offers precise steering response and fantastic feedback, giving drivers confidence in aggressive driving situations. It maintains stability and control under hard acceleration, braking, and cornering, making it suitable for spirited driving and track use.
Construction and Durability:
The tire is built with a reinforced internal structure, including solid sidewalls and belts, to handle the demands of performance driving and track use. The ADVAN A052 is designed to manage heat buildup effectively, ensuring consistent performance during extended track sessions.
Versatility:
While primarily designed for performance driving and track use, the Yokohama ADVAN A052 can also be used for street driving. It balances high-performance capabilities and reasonable tread life for a summer tire in its category.
Applications:
The ADVAN A052 is popular among autocross enthusiasts and track day participants seeking competitive lap times and responsive handling. Due to its exceptional dry grip and handling characteristics, the tire suits many high-performance vehicles, including sports and tuner cars.
Toyo Proxes R888R
The Toyo Proxes R888R is a high-performance summer tire designed for enthusiasts and drivers seeking exceptional grip and performance on the road and the track. It is well-suited for aggressive driving, track days, autocross events, and other motorsport activities.
Compound and Tread Design:
The Proxes R888R features a high-performance tread compound that delivers excellent grip and responsiveness, especially in dry conditions. The tire’s tread pattern is designed for maximum grip, with a semi-slick surface area and large shoulder blocks for enhanced cornering stability and steering response.
Performance and Handling:
The Proxes R888R offers exceptional dry grip, allowing for high cornering grip and precise handling. The tire provides precise steering response and excellent feedback, giving drivers confidence in aggressive driving situations. It maintains stability and control under hard acceleration, braking, and cornering, making it suitable for demanding driving conditions on the track.
Construction and Durability:
The tire is built with a reinforced internal structure, including solid sidewalls and belts, to handle the demands of performance driving and track use. The Proxes R888R is designed to manage heat buildup effectively, ensuring consistent performance during extended track sessions.
Versatility:
While primarily designed for performance driving and track use, the Toyo Proxes R888R can also be used for spirited street driving. It balances high-performance capabilities and reasonable tread life for a tire in its category.
Applications:
The Proxes R888R is popular among autocross enthusiasts and track day participants seeking competitive lap times and responsive handling. Due to its exceptional dry grip and handling characteristics, the tire suits a wide range of high-performance vehicles, including sports cars, track-focused cars, and tuned vehicles.
Continental ExtremeContact Sport
The Continental ExtremeContact Sport is a high-performance summer tire for drivers seeking excellent traction, handling, and performance for spirited street driving and occasional track use. It is engineered to deliver precise steering response, cornering stability, and braking performance in dry and wet conditions.
Compound and Tread Design:
The ExtremeContact Sport features a silica-enhanced tread compound that provides exceptional grip and traction on dry and wet surfaces. Continental’s SportPlus Technology includes a unique tread compound and pattern that enhances grip and responsiveness while maintaining tread life.
Performance and Handling:
The ExtremeContact Sport delivers impressive levels of dry grip, allowing for precise handling and high-speed stability. The tire’s tread design and compound provide excellent water evacuation, reducing the risk of hydroplaning and improving wet grip.
Construction and Durability:
The tire is constructed with reinforced sidewalls to improve handling and cornering stability, especially during aggressive driving maneuvers. Continental has optimized the tire’s internal structure and compound for enhanced performance without sacrificing comfort.
Versatility:
While primarily designed for high-performance street driving, the ExtremeContact Sport can handle occasional track use and spirited driving. It balances performance capabilities and tread life, making it suitable for enthusiasts seeking a versatile tire.
Applications:
The Continental ExtremeContact Sport suits many sporty vehicles, including sports coupes, sedans, and performance-oriented SUVs. The tire appeals to driving enthusiasts who prioritize responsive handling, cornering grip, and overall performance.
Conclusion
Finding the best track tires for your car is easy. Just follow our detailed instructions and shop confidently. All our products are high-quality.
