2017 Track Day Tire Test

The German publication Auto Bild have just tested five 235/35 R19 track day tires using a Ford Focus ST, and included a "normal" maximum performance road tire as comparison.

Given the location of the test (Continentals proving grounds in Texas), and the performance of the included road tire, we're going to assuming the tire was the Continental Sport Contact 6, and it demonstrates just how good road tires have become!

Dry

In the dry testing, the Pirelli shines. It is the fastest in the dry lap, just beating the Michelin to the top spot. The summer road-tire would have placed fourth overall, averaging 117.1 Km/H, which is faster than both the Yokohama and Toyo track day tires!

Again, the Pirelli just beats the Michelin to the top spot during the dry braking test, but this time the Toyo matches the Michelin for second place. Again, surprisingly the summer road-tire places fourth, at 35.4 meters.

Wet

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the test is the Pirelli in wet handling, winning the test and beating the road-bias summer tire which lapped at an average of 78.2 Km/H. The Michelin and Dunlop were close behind, with the Yokohama and particularly the Toyo struggling.

During wet braking, the summer tire dominated, stopping the Ford Focus ST in just 31.5 meters, where the best track day tire could only manage 34 meters. Again the Yokohama and Toyo struggled.

The summer tire again showed its wet weather advantage, winning the aquaplaning testing, managing 71.5 Km/H before the car started floating. This time the Michelin track day tire surprised, almost matching the summer tire and with a huge gap to the second placed Dunlop. Aquaplaning is where the Pirelli tire struggled, and lost a lot of points.

Results

It's a shame the Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R struggled in the aquaplaning tests, as looking at the other tests it just beat the Michelin as the best track day tire on test. The real surprise is how well the summer tire did in the dry, but it's worth mentioning the testers said the summer tire felt soft and slow to steer when comparing against the best track day tires, and there's no way the road-bias summer tire would manage as long on track as the track day tires without overheating.

In short, the Michelin is the best tire if you're spending some time on the road too, but if you want the pure dry-track experience, go with the Pirelli. Or a slick.

1^st

Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2

235/35 R19

• 3PMSF: no

The track day tire without fault. Accurate steering, balanced driving dynamics and high grip levels in the wet and dry. Excellent aquaplaning performance and good comfort (for a track tire) means this tire justifies the price.

None mentioned.

Total: 16

Dry 9

Wet 7

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2^nd

Dunlop SportMaxx Race

235/35 R19

• 3PMSF: no

A well balanced tire with excellent steering behaviour and good feedback. Good safety reserves in the aquaplaning tests.

Average grip levels in the wet.

Total: 13

Dry 7

Wet 6

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3^rd

Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R

235/35 R19

• 3PMSF: no

A very sporty tire with excellent fast lap times in the dry and wet. Good steering precision, especially in the dry. Short braking distances in the dry and wet.

Weak aquaplaning result which marked down the overall result. Most expensive tire on test.

Total: 16

Dry 9

Wet 7

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4^th

Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD08R

235/35 R19

• 3PMSF: no

Well balanced in the wet making the car easy to drive.

Slow steering in the dry, long wet braking distances.

Total: 9

Dry 5

Wet 4

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5^th

Toyo R888 R

235/35 R19

• 3PMSF: no

Short dry braking, low price.

Slowest during the dry and wet handling laps, longest wet braking, weakest aquaplaning result. Very noisy.

Total: 7

Dry 5

Wet 2

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