Opinions on Nanking AR-1 for track days?

[Maxhouse97]

Looking to move up to a more aggressive tire for track days, currently use Hankook RS-4. Heard good things about the AR-1. Any feedback on these? My 04 has Ohlins R&T and an aggressive alignment (-3 deg camber). I have ARC-8 18 x 9.5 wheels. Any concerns fitting 275/35-18s? Thanks.



u

[r4dr]

They are great. I went through 4-5 sets on my GT3 the past 2 seasons and I would keep running them if supply hadn't dried up. It seems Nankang might have been replacing it with the CRS v2, but I'm hoping they do an AR-1 successor.

Target 30 psi hot and they will take an absolute beating. Stiff sidewalls so you can go out at 24-25 psi without worrying like you would with a street tire. For me, they were a bit sensitive to having a proper alignment so I would keep an eye on tire temps and dial that in. They would be consistent until the last heat cycle or two where they really fell off, but that was after 3-4 hard track days.

If you drive on the street, they are loud as hell on the freeway. If your car isn't strictly track or you only have 1 set of wheels, I would run CRS v2 as they give you 80% of the AR-1 track perks while being civil on the street.

[Gearhead55]

CR-S is a great option that is still completely streetable. The CR-S has just as much grip as an A052 but stays more consistent through a whole session. The CR-S will outperform the RS4 by a lot. They might be just a hair less grippy than an AR-1, but probably not by much. I haven't driven the AR-1 personally though.

[Maxhouse97]

Ok thanks. I’m looking for dedicated track tires, R compound-ish. I have separate wheels and will not be driving them on the street.

r4dr - is 3-4 hard track days all you got out of them? My RS-4s have lasted for 8-10, not sure if the AR-1 longevity is normal for an R compound/100 tw and just a trade off of more performance or not.

Other tires I am cross shopping are Toyo RR/R888R and RA-1. Maxxis RC-1.

[Gt4]

You can also consider Toyo RA1 in 275/35/18, more theead depth than Nt01 and similar tire

[r4dr]

Ok thanks. I’m looking for dedicated track tires, R compound-ish. I have separate wheels and will not be driving them on the street.

r4dr - is 3-4 hard track days all you got out of them? My RS-4s have lasted for 8-10, not sure if the AR-1 longevity is normal for an R compound/100 tw and just a trade off of more performance or not.

Other tires I am cross shopping are Toyo RR/R888R and RA-1. Maxxis RC-1.

Hankook RS4s are the king of longevity, but they are not sticky at all as far as track tires go. 3-4 days (5ish sessions each day) is pretty standard for R-comps in my experience. I don't think it's fair to compare longevity between RS4s and R-comps as they are at least a second or so apart in times.

If longevity is your goal, then the RS4s are the way to go. There's no "magic" R-compound that lasts as long as the hockey puck RS4s while being as sticky as an R-comp. The RRs are similar to the AR-1s in terms of longevity when I've run them in SE46, but I have no experience with the Maxxis tires.

You can also consider Toyo RA1 in 275/35/18, more theead depth than Nt01 and similar tire

RA1s cycle out before running out of tread. There's a reason they're used as wet tires in the Toyo-supported race series. NT01 is good to the cords and would be my choice over RA1s.

[bigjae46]

One thing that a lot of people struggle with when going to an R-Comp is the lack of audible feedback. Really need to be able to feel what the car is doing and be ahead of the car to get the most of them.

One good mid-step is the NT01. It's a really odd tire in that it is kind of an R-comp and kind of not. Frankly, except for cost and longevity it is a shitty tire by today's standards. BUT...I think it is a good mid-step that gives a lot less audible feedback. Just a thought...

An RR is like an NT01 except you get 6-8 faster heat cycles and then its basically as fast as an NT01.

[nextlvel]

Don't want to hijack your thread but I'm in your previous shoes I believe, I currently run the Ventus RS4s as I want to move from the spirited mountain driving I currently do towards track days at my local track of Road Atlanta. I just had a couple Qs for you if you don't mind.

1) I know it's subjective but were they relatively noisy for you? Almost like a whirring road noise sound? (I'm used to the quieter PS4s and Indy 500s I ran in the past)
2) How did you like them for the track? Decent life? Everyone says they're hard and last a while but I just wanted the opinion of someone who has a similar setup as me. (2.5 degrees of camber and 265/35/18)

[Slideways]

[Gt4]

OP, on a 18x9.5 I would recommend 265/35/18 over 275/35/18. 275 would fit better on a 10-10.5’’

[Maxhouse97]

Thanks RS-4s are not good street tires, loud and not comfortable. However great on track, do give audible feedback.

[S54330Ci]

Have you looked at the new Hoosier Track Attack Pro? They are a 200tw tire that has been receiving some very positive reviews. Just coming on to the marketplace so availability will be limited but if you can get them this would be my choice.

If maximum grip is your goal, I'd get the Goodyear Supercar 3R.

[Maxhouse97]

Yes thanks will check that out … although have worst seen their price, $400 for 275/35-18