Dunlop SP Super Sport Race tires ?

[nsx1164]

Dunlop SP Super Sport Race tires...

DOT approved. Race tread depth -- no shaving required.

Saw this in one of my magazines, and its getting a lot of good reviews from one of the German marque club race series...

Anyone have any info on these?? US availability ?

###############

from Dunlop UK site...

Tuesday, 13 January 2004 02:18:47 PM

Dunlop Bring BTCC Performance to Track Day Driving

Dunlop dominate the world of touring car racing supplying tyres to the majority of national championships, including the highly competitive British Touring Car Championship (BTCC).

Track day drivers can now experience the levels of grip that BTCC stars such as Yvan Muller, Matt Neal and James Thompson are accustomed to as Dunlop expand their range of motorsport bred road legal tyres, designed for the burgeoning track day market.

The Dunlop SP Super Sport Race has a striking similarity to the renowned Dunlop wet race tyre, trusted by the world’s leading touring car and Le Mans racers. Tony Gilhome, Product Manager for race car tyres explains: “The similarity is more than coincidental – the directional tread pattern is a direct descendant of the race tyre design, and the compound was developed with track use in mind.”

The Dunlop SP Super Sport Race has been proven to offer a vast improvement in dry weather performance over a conventional road tyre, but more importantly, has won plaudits for it’s damp track performance compared to other track orientated tyres.

Former British GT Champion Calum Lockie relies on Dunlop SP Super Sport race tyres when running his Porsche 968 Club Sport at track days. “When fitted with Dunlop SP Super Sport Race tyres the car felt more positive, confidence inspiring and had improved grip under braking.” claimed Calum, who currently also races a 630BHP Marcos on Dunlop tyres.

The Dunlop SP Super Sport Race is available in a wide range of 17”, 18” and 19” sizes.

 

[nsxhk]

Someone did a comparison between the SP super sport and the yoko A048. Yoko A048 has much more grip.

Henry.

 

[Alex@TTR]

I just had an inquery on these this morning.
Per Dunlop's customer care they can be found at 2 dealers

East coast - Sasco Motorsports 434 822 7200

West coast - Roger Kraus Racing 510 582 5031

I figured I could save you some foot work!

Alex

 

[nsxtasy]

There are SO MANY track tires out these days! I remember when the choice was basically either Hoosier, or Goodrich (R1). Nowadays, not only is almost every company in the game, but you have a bunch of different compounds from each company - Yokohama (A032R-S, A032R-H, A043, A048), Kumho (V700 Victoracer, Ecsta V700), as well as relative newcomers like Toyo (RA-1), Michelin (Pilot Sport Cup), Hankook (Ventus Z211), and now Dunlop. And most of these tires are very, very good!

 

[AaronR]

There are SO MANY track tires out these days! I remember when the choice was basically either Hoosier, or Goodrich (R1). Nowadays, not only is almost every company in the game, but you have a bunch of different compounds from each company - Yokohama (A032R-S, A032R-H, A043, A048), Kumho (V700 Victoracer, Ecsta V700), as well as relative newcomers like Toyo (RA-1), Michelin (Pilot Sport Cup), Hankook (Ventus Z211), and now Dunlop. And most of these tires are very, very good!

There may even be another new one coming out VERY VERY soon too, but hey what I would I know Stay Tuned...

 

[nsx1164]

There are SO MANY track tires out these days! I remember when the choice was basically either Hoosier, or Goodrich (R1). Nowadays, not only is almost every company in the game, but you have a bunch of different compounds from each company - Yokohama (A032R-S, A032R-H, A043, A048), Kumho (V700 Victoracer, Ecsta V700), as well as relative newcomers like Toyo (RA-1), Michelin (Pilot Sport Cup), Hankook (Ventus Z211), and now Dunlop. And most of these tires are very, very good!

This is a good list, and am sure Aaron's "hint" above is more than just speculation.

I'd add Pirelli (P-Zero Corsa, OE on Ferrari 360CS), Bridgestone (RE070, OE on NSX-R). Some of these are really more like "streetable track tires", which perform more like "intermediate R-compounds" like the Yoko A032R or Michelin Pilot Sport Cup.

Any succesful US-available fitments on 17/18 wheels ??
Several of the above do not make 18" sizes, and unfortunately our FRONT size is a bit compromised -- ideally its a 225-width, which no one seems to make

Thanks -- Manuel

 

[nsxtasy]

I'd add Pirelli (P-Zero Corsa, OE on Ferrari 360CS), Bridgestone (RE070, OE on NSX-R).

No. The Bridgestone RE070 is a street tire, like the other OEM NSX tires (RE010 and A022H). It is NOT an R compound track tire.

Any succesful US-available fitments on 17/18 wheels ??

Yes:

Toyo RA-1 205/40-17, 275/35-18
Hoosier R3S03 205/40-17, 275/35-18
Kumho Ecsta V700 205/40-17, 265/35-18

Any of these should give satisfactory results.

our FRONT size is a bit compromised -- ideally its a 225-width, which no one seems to make

No. Ideally it's a 215 width, which no one seems to make. Any wider, and you get into rubbing issues, especially with the full compression you encounter on the track (unless you are prepared to consider spacers, removing the fender well liners, and/or getting wider fenders). There are some 225 tires, but the problem is that not only do they rub because they are too wide, but they also rub because their outer diameter is too large, as they are generally 45 aspect ratio rather than 40.

For 17"/18" wheels on the track, any of the three choices mentioned above should be just fine. If I had to choose one, it would be the Toyo RA-1 in 205/40-17 and 275/35-18.

 

[docjohn]

I would also suggest the 235/40/17 front in the ra1,both Peter and I use this size and really no rubbing issues at the track,only at 3/4-full lock in the parking lot.

 

[nsxtasy]

Are you sure? No rubbing on the track, even at full compression, and you're not using spacers and you still have your fender well liners? Because those tires are not only 10-20 mm wider than stock, but they're also 3.3-5.8 percent larger in outer diameter...

EDIT: Are your cars lowered? That would make rubbing worse...

 

[docjohn]

Yes Ken I have the nsx-r susp and pete has the comptech pro,which is mighty low.No issues at the track.

 

[nsx1164]

I would also suggest the 235/40/17 front in the ra1,both Peter and I use this size and really no rubbing issues at the track,only at 3/4-full lock in the parking lot.

I've used this FRONT size before, and had some of the rubbing on hard lock (parking lot maneuvers), as well as a little on hard straight-line braking. I matched it with 275-40-17 rears on my older (Forgeline RS) wheels.

Sounds like its TOYO RA-1
F: 235/40-17 (alternately 205-40)
R: 275/35-18

Suspension: moderately lowered Comptech/Eibach springs, Koni adjustable shocks.

I've been running 215 width tires since 1998, and think there's still room for growth. A 225-width (if anyone would make them) front would be ideal.