If you are just beginning to get involved in track events such as PCA's Driver's Education program, I suggest that you keep a good set of street tires on them. A couple of reasons:
1. If the conditions aren't ideal (mainly rain/slick surfaces), you'd need more tread, especially if you're a beginner, which you state you are. If it's raining, and you only have race rubber, you'll be forced to stay off track.
2. Cost factor: no need to buy more rubber, more wheels, jack, hitch...etc, if you keep your street shoes on.
3. Most important: while switching to R-compound rubber will definately improve your lap times, it will not improve your driving skills. For a DE program, the emphasis is improving driving skills, not car capabilities. At this point, I am assuming that you have not yet "out grown" your tire's grip or your suspension's ability. Give it a year or two, and then switch to the R-compound rubber. Same applies to suspension upgrades: while they can help in lap times, they aren't necessary to improve your skills.
And just think: once you are able to push your car beyond it's current limits, and THEN you upgrade tires/suspension, you will be able to take advantage of those upgrades better! (Also: if you think you've outgrown your tires and suspension, just ask a person running in a higher rungroup to take your car out for a spin!!!)
Note: I have also just recently gotten into DE and track events, and have choosen to keep the stock tire setup.
Just my $0.42.
-Z.
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PCA NNJR
My Toy:
[This message has been edited by Z-man (edited 09-28-2001).]