For the 2021 Tire Reviews 200 treadwear Track Tire Test we have selected eight of the the most popular 200tw track focused performance tires and have access to Michelin's Laurens proving ground in South Carolina, which has a very fast, high grip, dry handling test track.
You can either watch the full test video for all the glorious shots of the beautiful E36 M3 test car, or scroll down to read the full results.
200TW Track Tire Test
Testing Methodology
Test Driver
Jonathan Benson
Tire Size
225/45 R17
Test Location
Professional Proving Ground
Test Year
2021
Tires Tested
8
Show full testing methodologyHide methodology
Every tire is tested using calibrated instrumented measurement and structured subjective assessment. Reference tires are retested throughout each session to correct for changing conditions, ensuring fair, repeatable comparisons. Multiple reference sets are used where needed so that control tire wear does not affect accuracy.
We use professional-grade testing equipment including GPS data loggers, accelerometers, and calibrated microphones. All tires are broken in and conditioned before testing begins. For full details on our equipment, preparation process, and calibration procedures, see our complete testing methodology.
Categories Tested
Dry Handling
For dry handling, I drive at the limit of adhesion around a dedicated handling circuit with ESC disabled where possible so I can assess the tire's natural balance, transient response, and limit behaviour without electronic intervention masking the result. I usually complete between two and five timed laps per tire set, depending on the circuit, tire type, and consistency of conditions. I exclude laps affected by clear driver error or obvious environmental inconsistency. Control runs are carried out frequently throughout the session, and I often use multiple sets of control tires so that wear on the references does not become a meaningful variable. For more track-focused products, I also do endurance testing, which is a set number of laps at race pace to determine tire wear patterns and heat resistance over longer driving.
How each category is weighted in the overall score:
Dry100%
Dry Handling100%
We're going to be testing each tire to find out which is the fastest over a single lap, which tire has the best heat management on track over multiple laps, which tire gives you the best steering response, and which gives you the most confidence to drive at the limit.
To keep things as fair as possible, we have three sets of new control tires so we can run a control tire at the beginning, the same tire again after set four, and another set at the end to calculate for driver and track evolution. All tires will be started at exactly the same 30 psi cold.
The test vehicle is a beautiful E36 BMW M3 Lightweight, which thanks to a lightweight chassis, a normally aspirated engine and hydraulic power steering, should be a really wonderful test car and relatively representative of what people use on track and at autocross events.
There are sadly a few key tires missing. There's no bridgestone RE71R because it's been discontinued in North America and Bridgestone don't plan to replace it, there's no toyo because the R888R is 100tw and the R1R is extremely old, and we couldn't get the Nexen N Fera SUR4 or the new Continental ExtremeContact Force in time for this test.
Dry
The lap times below are taking from the test video, for an explanation of the data please watch from 6:37.
Fastest tire on test over a single lap, 3 lap average and a heat cycled 8 lap average. Excellent steering reaction, good feedback, high levels of grip, it felt like it enjoyed being driven quickly.
Slight lack of feedback at large steering angles compared to the Falken, some understeer at the end of the 8 lap run as the front left overheated.
The BFGoodrich Rival S 1.5 is a really enjoyable to drive that likes to be driven fast. It needs a little heat to be at its best, but once the tire is warm, it's extremely fast, controllable and stable.
Excellent heat management, low wear, precise and consistent steering, extremely strong on the brakes, very enjoyable tire to drive, very stable once heat cycled.
Not quite as fast as the BFGoodrich G Force Rival S 1.5
The Falken RS660 is a very well priced, extremely capable tire with good grip, direct and stable handling and very impressive heat management.
Friendly tire to drive, slight understeer balance and it felt softer on the sidewall / slower to react than the Falken and BFGoodrich, but it was very easy to drive quickly. Extremely fast warm up, very good for autocross style events.
Peaky first lap grip with rapid drop off in time, high levels of wear.
The Yokohama Advan A052 has a quick warm up and predictable friendly handling which makes it an excellent choice for the less confident driver, or those doing sprint / autocross style events.
Very good heat management with very low wear, good steering response, rounded grip circles, enjoyable tire to drive.
Not the fastest single lap performance on test.
The Hankook Ventus RS4 was an enjoyable tire to drive with good steering response and progressive handling, and while it wasn't the fastest tire over a single lap, it's heat management and predicted wear were impressive. With nearly 7mm starting tread depth, it would be an excellent option for endurance racing.
I have driven the BF Goodrich extensively on my 2003 Miata (Konig Helium wheels, Koni yellows, Racing Beat front bar) in both SCCA E-Street Solo, track days at Road Atlanta and Barber Motorsports Park, plus regular road trips. I have run the Azeenis RT660 down to the cords on my 2016 Audi A6 Quattro at both Road Atlanta and Barber, as well as on my brothers 2016 Cayman S at Barber. In fact, I ran the Miata and the Cayman back-to-back at Barber with Chin Motorsports today, in wet and dry lap sessions. A few weeks ago, three of my buddies and I drove a Spec E36 on the Hankooks for a Lemons race at Barber.
That said, I concur with every thing said about those three tires in this review. They nailed it.
Excellent review.
PS - After returning from warmup laps this past Saturday morning at Road Atlanta, I discovered my BFG Rivals had shed a blister on the LF outside shoulder, exposing the cords. With three track days to go, I borrowed a set of Hoosier SM7's from a Chin instructor who races Spec Miata...... Dear God, Purple Crack is REAL!!! It's like I opened a cheat code.... Seriously, Hoosiers are, practically, cheating. I have done about 2000 laps at Barber an d the Hoosiers were 3 seconds/lap faster than the excellent BFG's.
hmmm it seems umbelievable that you haven't tested them yet. The most budget friendly trackday tires are the federal rsr/rspro and nankang ns-2r. With so much interest globaly they should be tested years ago but no one seems to make them a priority. I wonder why..
Do you have any plans for a similar test for tires available in the UK as these seem to be mainly US based?
I am looking for 225/45R17 track tires that won't break the bank and may work in the wet for driving to and from a circuit / leave them on for the summer.
I would have gone AD08R but the AD08RS seems to have lost something with the new compound. It's a small size by modern standards, with no UUHP options and experience tells me road tires like the PS4 or F1 5 will overheat and wear quickly on track with the power and weight of my car.
I could take a punt on a budget brand like Nankang or Federal but would kick myself if they weren't up to scratch and feel I should have saved up a bit and gone for the R888 or Cup 2.
It's an old Audi S2 from the mid 90s, ironically a contemporary of the test car used above. Quite heavy, 4wd, over 400bhp... which is fun but hard on tires.
I've used dedicated track tires in the past and always drive to and from the track - due to limited interior space - though that's always a gamble with the British weather as semi slicks and rain don't really mix!
Ideally, I'd get some AD08R but they're all old stock now.
I think NS2R or 595RSR may be worth a go but only if they're significantly cheaper than Cup2s.
I have driven the BF Goodrich extensively on my 2003 Miata (Konig Helium wheels, Koni yellows, Racing Beat front bar) in both SCCA E-Street Solo, track days at Road Atlanta and Barber Motorsports Park, plus regular road trips. I have run the Azeenis RT660 down to the cords on my 2016 Audi A6 Quattro at both Road Atlanta and Barber, as well as on my brothers 2016 Cayman S at Barber. In fact, I ran the Miata and the Cayman back-to-back at Barber with Chin Motorsports today, in wet and dry lap sessions. A few weeks ago, three of my buddies and I drove a Spec E36 on the Hankooks for a Lemons race at Barber.
That said, I concur with every thing said about those three tires in this review. They nailed it.
Excellent review.
PS - After returning from warmup laps this past Saturday morning at Road Atlanta, I discovered my BFG Rivals had shed a blister on the LF outside shoulder, exposing the cords. With three track days to go, I borrowed a set of Hoosier SM7's from a Chin instructor who races Spec Miata...... Dear God, Purple Crack is REAL!!! It's like I opened a cheat code.... Seriously, Hoosiers are, practically, cheating. I have done about 2000 laps at Barber an d the Hoosiers were 3 seconds/lap faster than the excellent BFG's.
I need to try those Hoosiers!! :D
Why didn't test Federal RsrPro?
It wasn't a higher priority than the ones we tested, I'll try and include it next time.
Thanks, good job. I appreciate your works
hmmm it seems umbelievable that you haven't tested them yet. The most budget friendly trackday tires are the federal rsr/rspro and nankang ns-2r. With so much interest globaly they should be tested years ago but no one seems to make them a priority. I wonder why..
I don't actually see much of Federal in the UK, a lot more Nankang.
Do you have any plans for a similar test for tires available in the UK as these seem to be mainly US based?
I am looking for 225/45R17 track tires that won't break the bank and may work in the wet for driving to and from a circuit / leave them on for the summer.
I would have gone AD08R but the AD08RS seems to have lost something with the new compound. It's a small size by modern standards, with no UUHP options and experience tells me road tires like the PS4 or F1 5 will overheat and wear quickly on track with the power and weight of my car.
I could take a punt on a budget brand like Nankang or Federal but would kick myself if they weren't up to scratch and feel I should have saved up a bit and gone for the R888 or Cup 2.
Cheers
Yes, hopefully next year! Unfortunately I've not got around to it yet
Great stuff, love the reviews and info. Thanks
What vehicle, and will you have second wheels just for the track?
Cheers for the quick response!
It's an old Audi S2 from the mid 90s, ironically a contemporary of the test car used above. Quite heavy, 4wd, over 400bhp... which is fun but hard on tires.
I've used dedicated track tires in the past and always drive to and from the track - due to limited interior space - though that's always a gamble with the British weather as semi slicks and rain don't really mix!
Ideally, I'd get some AD08R but they're all old stock now.
I think NS2R or 595RSR may be worth a go but only if they're significantly cheaper than Cup2s.
Cheers
Agreed, though I might be tempted to try the AR1 if available!