Thinking of buying some new tyres for my robin hood. Current Yoko A539s don't seem very good in the wet. I was wheel spinning in 3rd gear the other day on damp roads.

I have a track day coming up next Saturday and if it rains I want something that will give me confidence to still enjoy the day.

So looking for a tyre that will mostly be used in the dry on the road but which performs well in damp/wet.

Heard some good things about Falken ZE914 and my mate recommends Toyo Proxes - but I'm not sure which one, seem to be a few types

Any other recommendation?

Also, tyre size is 185/60 R14, should I stick to this or would I be better of getting different wheels with a wider tyre? Car is 750kg, Zetec engine

Avon ZZS on 13's

R888

Michelin PS3's

I think the lightweight of our cars will never mean they are any good in the wet,no matter what tyres you fit!

Last year mine was running Yoko Paradas and they were truly lethal on anything except a bone dry road,changed them to Nankang NS2r's and even though they are a semi slick road legal tyre they perform way better than the fully treaded Yokos

Buy some F3 Wets on 13" Capri/RS Alloys rims.


Because I have some for sale.

Just completed the Boom Day car event on a damp track day at Lydden Hill, without a doubt the Toyo R888R is the tyre for the job, they perform superbly what ever the weather. Had a great day apart from a " racing incident" where I had a coming together with a Ginetta and a shunt from behind from an Escort Mk1, but that's another story and possible mine/everybody else's fault apart from the tyre.

I have used Nankang nsr2 tyres and they are very good get them in 120 soft compound a very good track and road tyre .

the biggest problem is the small range of tyres for 14" wheels. Aside from dry trackday style tyres (888s etc) i could not find anything grippy in that size, apart from the vredestein sportrac5, which is what i have fitted, and would recommend. Excellent wet and dry grip.
Only cost me ~£56 a corner too.

[Edited on 7/11/16 by Grimsdale]

Do you want a tyre that is good in the wet? or a tyre that is good in the dry?

Its next to impossible to get one that is good at both, especially in 14"
I'd prefer to get a great dry tyre and put up with it in the wet, than get one thats ok in the wet and ok in the dry.

R888R
I'd suggest changing wheel size tbh

Nankang are releasing the AR1 around Feb time in more sizes! including 13"... I'll be holding out for those.

As mentioned get a different wheel size. 13s if brakes/wishbones allow or 15s. If trackdays are a likely occurrence a few times a year then a specific set of track wheels/tyres is a worth while investment. A good set of track tyres will be fine in damp conditions, but if you find yourself onna very wet tracck with standing water then a good set of road tyres, michelin, pirrelis or similar. My plan is to have a road set for wet tracks and winter roads, and a track set for summer and dry/damp trackdays. Obviously this would require a support car if your not sure what weather conditions would be.