Track and tires

[backkraker]

Help, Looking to take my alfa milano to the track. I live in connecticut, would like to go to limerock or nhis in new hampshire. I have no clue on how to make this happen. Could someone educate me in the steps I need to take to get my car on the track. Please if someone has recommmendations on track tires an rims, this would be helpful

Joe

[nizam]

What's your intent?
a) some fun on the track / track school
b) Time Trialing
c) Competition / Racing

How often do you intend to go?
a) once or twice a year
b) any chance I get
c) I own a racetrack

[John M]

In regards to tires:

road race - hoosier r6
autocross - hoosier a6

Best Regards,
John M

[gtv27]

doh - I was hoping to plunder the community knowledge on this board on this very topic as well - hope you don't mind if I free ride on your thread .

What do people use or think is best.

Keeping in mind nizam's questions ( ha own a racetrack, I wish!), my req'ts are:

• fairly standard suspension GTV6 (ie soft) but if it works on any other similar 116 (eg 75/milano/alfetta/90/etc) it should work on mine;
• 3 to 4 lap sprints (timetrialling) so not a lot of heat build up;
• mounted on standard 15 x 6 GTV6 rims, so 195 or 205 max section width;
• running about 8 to 10 events a year - summer and winter so has to work at both 10 and 30 deg ambient; and
• would like to get at least one year (preferrably two) out the the tyres (oh yes I am a scrooge).

In terms of the Hoosiers - they are (a) pretty hard to get in Australia and (b) hugely expensive when you can get them.

Any other suggestions

[75evo]

GTV27,

You're in Australia. The tires available in the US and Aus. are not the same. You guys have more track day oriented tires like the Dunlop D01J, Toyo R-888, Bridgestone 540, etc. I have heard good things about the R-888, perhaps you should look into those.

I have something similar, Yokohama Advan A-048. They aren't as grippy as Hoosiers, but they last longer. Not a set you would run to get top times, but it will give you more grip than even the Falken Azenis RT-615.

[alfabender]

The best combo tires I have encountered are Toyo RA-1s. They come with full tread but are a track tire. They last a lot longer than most track tires at the expense of perhaps a second per lap. On my previous car I drove them on the street and the track--I could do an entire year of somewhat sporadic street driving plus five track weekends. Now that I have a dedicated race car I still use them.

They are a bit hard to get here in Southern California because the Toyo distributorship is weak. I get them at GT International, an independent BMW shop on the west side of LA.

Doug Bender

[backkraker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nizam What's your intent? a) some fun on the track / track school b) Time Trialing c) Competition / Racing How often do you intend to go? a) once or twice a year b) any chance I get c) I own a racetrack

[maratonaman]

To start w/ you must plant yourself in and stabalize yourself or you will be all over the place sitting wise.Get a good stearing wheel,gloves and a good seat that has good support.Next get a harness that will keep you in that seat.You wont believe how much smoother you can be ,as you wont be fighting your body being thrown all over the place.Now work on the suspension,shocks etc....make sure your brakes are up to the challenge.What goes has to stop and sometimes very quickly.It doesnt take long ,if you are doing a DE for your brakes to heat up and start to fade or worse go out.Make sure you have fresh High temp brake fluid.I would put race tires down on the list,get to know how to handle the car first..then when you feel more comfortable get some race tires.They will make a difference ....but advance in steps so you can Track your progress.

[backkraker]

Maratonaman, thanks for great advice, any recommendations on seats and seat venders?. Do you know if I need a cage an if not where do I connect the belts? Stock location?

Joe

[gtv27]

Cheers for the tip on the RA1's - they are pretty popular here also.
R888's have mixed reviews.
D01's are popular with the fast 105's.
A048's are used by some but with mixed feedback (I had them on my 105 racer and thought they were fine, but maybe I'm a goose!).
Kumhos are starting to be used but have yet to get feedback.
Falken st615 is new to us and don't know of anybody having tried it (so more f/b there would be good)

Good points made about seat and harness being a important early mod too. I'm trying to stay dual purpose on mine (and not turn it into ANOTHER dedicated race car) and have a clip in harness but am resisting going for a seat (would be goooood though!).

[Grant]

The Falken Azenis (615's, and their predecessors) have had quite an impact in the states. Right now they are about $92 for a 215/45/16 and have tons of grip for the money. They've been said to overheat after extensive use at the track, but for the money they're very hard to beat.

Hankook has a new-ish tire, the Ventus Z212 that is even cheaper ($82 for same size) and has almost as much grip. Great value tire. Both tires have a treadwear of 200.

[gtv27]

bugger me, 200 is a ROAD tyre spec.

Nothing more than 100 is considered Racing spec here.