In 2012 Sport Auto put this ideal combination of things on test. In comparison to their smaller sized tire tests, they've ignored the duller qualities of a tire, such as rolling resistance and ride comfort, and instead focused on the features you want from a track day tire - lap time, steering feel and even tire weight.
The Results
The test wasn’t kind to the UKs favourite track day tire, the Toyo R888. Potentially showing its age, the R888 was described as almost undrivable in the wet, it was the heaviest set of tires on test, slowest in the dry and subjectively dull.The other four tires have all been launched fairly recently, with the new Pirelli P Zero Trofeo narrowly beating the also new Continental Force Contact and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup+. The fourth placed Dunlop Sport Maxx Race was the strongest tire in the dry, but a slightly weak wet performance left the Dunlop a few points behind the leading three.
Dry: 56.9 seconds
Wet: 85.7 seconds
The best balance of wet and dry performance on test. A very manageable tire in the dry, when pushed the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo reacts with a little understeer. Strong rear stability in both the dry and wet.
Misc: 44.6 kgs
Total: 211
Dry
140
Wet
43
Subjective
28
Dry: 57.2 seconds
Wet: 85 seconds
The Continental Force Contact is the strongest tire on test in wet conditions. In the dry it lacks a certain subjective sharpness, but this doesn't affect the ultimate lap time in the test. A fast tire, characterised by a little understeer and a little soft at the limit.
Misc: 41.8 kgs
Total: 205
Dry
136
Wet
45
Subjective
24
Dry: 57.3 seconds
Wet: 87.3 seconds
The sharpest tire on test, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup+ is extremely direct with quick steering response and a high level of grip. While this makes the Michelin feel the purest race tire on test, it also means you have to be a capable driver, as it can be snappy on the limit and the rear can break quickly in the wet.
Misc: 44 kgs
Total: 208
Dry
139
Wet
39
Subjective
30
Dry: 57 seconds
Wet: 90.2 seconds
The new Dunlop Sport Maxx Race is a strong dry weather tire. One of the fastest lap times, it has a beautiful neutral balance and is extremely strong on the brakes. It seems to have traded a little wet performance for the excellent dry handling, as when the track gets wet the grip levels fall away and the handling gets a little snappy.
Misc: 44.2 kgs
Total: 200
Dry
142
Wet
31
Subjective
27
Dry: 57.9 seconds
Wet: 102.4 seconds
In the wet the Toyo doesn't perform, nearly 20 seconds slowest than the fastest tire, and leaving the car snappy and difficult to drive. In the dry the R888 lacks the steering precision of the other tires on test, and leaves the rear of the Porsche loose.
Misc: 50.8 kgs
Total: 155
Dry
127
Wet
9
Subjective
19