First hpde.

[Ironmonger]

What are people doing to conserve tires and brakes at hpde events? Went through both in 3 20 minute sessions.
Setup:
Stoptech slotted rotors
Hawk hp plus pads
Nitto neo gen tires

From what I have read running higher pressure in tires might help or changing to a track focused tire. Also saw post on brake cooling ducts. Any other recommendations would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[green_henry]

M + S all seasons are not going to fare very well at the track. I'm lucky because I can run summers year-round. If you plan on continuing with HPDE, you may need to consider buying a second set of wheels/tires.

I recently added Boomba brake deflectors to my setup, and they definitely helped. Very easy to install.

 

[haste]

It also depends heavily on the track and driver.

The only mods I made for VIR was Torque RT700 and Hawk DT60 pads.
The OEM Bridgestones did OK. The second time around the Dunlop Direzza ZIIs did awesome.

I definitely did not take it easy on the car either but VIR seems to be easy on brakes/tires because of the long straights.

 

[iammacey]

Definitely a track specific tire. Max/Ultra summer tire. A/S tires just aren't ideal. That said, check your pressures. Run a warm-up lap and then 2-3 hot laps and check your pressures. I'll easily increase pressures by 5 psi and 10 on a hot day. You need to manage pressure and temps as much as possible.

Brakes are dependent on the track. I run Stop Tech rotors and Mountune Track pads with Motul RBF660, stainless lines, and Boomba deflectors.

It's also a giant rabbit hole that you're about to start heading down. You'll swap tires and run faster laps. Brakes will take more abuse and so will cooling. You'll solve one thing that's holding you back and that will result in a new issue.

I'll add the one thing that hasn't been said when it comes to upgrading. Before you dive into car upgrades, spend money on instruction, if you haven't already.

 

[Ironmonger]

Next event is in August. They do have a driving school at the track that I was thinking of taking for one on one instruction. I did flush my brakes with motul 600. Will look into the deflectors.

 

[M-Sport fan]

M + S all seasons are not going to fare very well at the track. I'm lucky because I can run summers year-round. If you plan on continuing with HPDE, you may need to consider buying a second set of wheels/tires.

^^^This.

Albeit, because of their tread pattern and 280 tread wear compounding, the Neo Gens may seem like an acceptable track donut (especially when compared to other much more 'tready', and 400 tread wear and above all seasons which some erroneously attempt to use for open tracking), but they are STILL an all season tire.

As good as they are on the street (I have them in 205/50-16s), I always think that I will tear them up driving them hard in the summer heat on back roads, let alone on a track or autocross course.

 

[Jabbit]

Make sure you press the Sport button or turn off TC altogether. That will help save your brakes.

 

[Ironmonger]

Make sure you press the Sport button or turn off TC altogether. That will help save your brakes.

I did the long press on esp button that turns everything off I think.

 

[Ironmonger]

Is there any benefit in regard to tires and/ or brakes to switching to different size wheels? Currently on oem 17

 

[Erick_V]

Is there any benefit in regard to tires and/ or brakes to switching to different size wheels? Currently on oem 17

More tire choices, cheaper cost, better ride on the street and (almost always) lighter wheels. I personally believe 16's are the sweet spot for this car

 

[Philippe]

Running lightweight wheels will help a lot. The OEM wheels are heavy.

There are nice 15in wheels in the 12-13 pounds. There is a great choice of tires in 205-50-15

Nitto NT01
GoodYear Supercar 3R
Yokohama AD08R (rain)
And Continental just released a new one also.

Here is another way to bring fresh air at the center of front rotors : https://www.fiestast.net/threads/my-brake-ducts-build.2251/

 

[ronmcdon]

there's nothing wrong with the oem wheel and tire size.

It might help getting something lighter to reduce unsprung weight. You're probably not going to be able to run significantly wider rubber or wheels without spending a lot.

In my first event ran stock suspension, 16x8 wheels, 205/50 200tw dunlop z3 tires (not significantly wider that what you have), EBC orange pads up front, not that different from what you have, ss lines endless rf-650 fluid, boomba deflectors. This was in 90f weather.
oh also had upgraded radiator, fmic, fmic hoses and oil cooler. my guess is oil cooler and fmic hoses were probably not necessary.

If you don't want to spend much maybe try just upgrading the tires and call it a day. Some people think upgraded radiator and fmic not necessary but I think it's worth it.
If you do eventually replace the pads, highly recommend hawk dtc-30 pads up front for street and track, if you don't mind a tad bit of squealing on the street.

Also highly recommend setting front camber to more than -2. maybe -2.5. Def play with tire pressures.

 

[Erick_V]

Agreed. Get good tires for the OEM wheels, upgrade the rad, FMIC, boomba brake ducts, good fluid and call it a day. That will be a good place to start and help keep things way cooler.

@ronmcdon what pads are you running in the rear?

 

[ronmcdon]

I'm running EBC Yellows in the rear right now. Had about half pad life left over so still trying to finish them off. I initially had ebc orange front, yellow rear. I don't recommend this as the orange fronts melted and found the feedback more vague than the Hawks. Will go with Hawk HP plus rears next.

Initially had both the DTC-30s front and rear. With street driving they're just fine but kinda nervous using same pads front and rear on the track with a more front heavy car. Sometimes a good idea to take a couple deep breaths to calm down before hitting the 'buy' button.

 

[M-Sport fan]

^^I am still a bit unsure about using DTC-30s on the street, at least in 20*F temps in the middle of winter here, as even Hawk's HP+ were severely lacking in initial bite when I've used them on the street for different platforms.

I take your word for their usability for street use where you are, but 45*F lows (IF ever even that low) is a bit different than 0*F lows.

 

[ronmcdon]

You make a good point there. In warmer climates like where I live in socal, have not had the weather dip below the 60s even during when it was coldest since installing the pads in May.

One possible solution is to have a set of pads for the summer just like you would for tyres. But wow those DTC-30 really bite well and are easier to modulate.

 

[Ironmonger]

Thanks for all the great input! Plan is
Rt660 tires
New centric blank rotors
Hawk dtc30 pads.
Boomba deflectors
Get an instructor
track alignment

 

[ronmcdon]

id say with hpde, you may get more bang for your buck out of the dunlop z3, hankook rs4 and falken 615 plus. they will last longer w tread life and may not overheat.

i run back to back 20 min sessions and my z3s dont get greasy and my lap times are consistent

660s may be good if you want fastest possible lap times

 

[Ironmonger]

@ronmcdon did not see the dunlop z3s. I like that they are a direction tire like the rt660 but have more tread depth.

 

[M-Sport fan]

@ronmcdon did not see the dunlop z3s. I like that they are a direction tire like the rt660 but have more tread depth.

They are EXCLUSIVE to Tire Rack in North America, so if you were looking on DTD, or elsewhere, they will not show up in their online catalogs/listings.