Street/Track Tires for 9 inch rims 245/45/16

[sbmackie]

To cut to the quick: I like my 9's on my SC. I am seeking input from those who DON'T want to change wheels for AX/DE/Track.

Need 245/45/16's.

Considering Hankook z212/s (200 TW, a true street tire that is kinda soft), Continental Sport Contact (160 TW), and Sumitomo HTRZ (160 TW, very cheap, must be a reason), and Toyo Ra1's.

Does anybody have any feedback? Would like to get a year and 5000 miles out of these tires. I do 12-14 AX's, 4 DE days, and 4 track days a year, the remainder being pleasure driving with OCCASIONAL wet roads/track

Thanks. My head hurts from all the thread sifting.

Scott

[Ducman]

I'm a big RA-1 fan. I don't change tires for track. I get a new set once a year. Only thing is - while they last really long by track tire standards - you run down the rain grooves really quickly. Mine are effectively slicks before half their life is used....I really don't spend any time driving in the rain.

Don

[IROC]

I think the RA-1s would fit your needs. What you mention is pretty much exactly the kind of use mine see and they've worked out well.

[prooutlaw]

i have run the Sumitomo HTRZ 's on several cars and have yet to find a reason not to buy them.
The Cars ranged from 944na , 944 turbo and a 930 , both Track and street

[JeremyD]

I'm pretty happy with the Hankooks which I use for street tires - I keep my RA-1s for track duty. In a pinch I'd use the hankooks for the track too.

[sbmackie]

Prooutlaw,
Does the Sumitomo REALLY have a 160 treadware feel? If so, I don't know why more people aren't using them.

Thanks for all the input!

sbm

[prooutlaw]

There are several People here in the Carolinas Region using them with good results.
I guess everybody else thinks they are to cheap to be any good

[jmz]

toyo RA-1's have made me and the blue car very happy

[wcc]

I've too run the Sumitomo HTRZ's on a couple of P-cars and have been very happy with them. However, I don't do track events so I can't say how they are on a track or how they hold up to that use.

[jester911]

I am happy with the RA-1s as well.

[charleskieffner]

im very happy w/my michelin pilot sport cups. when and if it ever rains again here, a lil voice in my head says to slow down.