Published September 03, 2025
Located adjacent to our South Bend headquarters, our test track allows our team to discover how each tire will behave under the extremes of emergency situations on the road or the limits of performance in competition.
Our fleet of test cars, an SUV, and a pickup truck are specially selected to give the best and most consistent results when testing tires.
Each tire model is tested and independently scored 1-10 on comfort and performance. We are the only retailer performing in-house, independent tire tests.
Length: (5:08)
Racetrack & Autocross Only
275/35ZR18 87W LL
Racetrack & Autocross Only
27/65-18
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Within Tire Rack's catalog, the Racetrack & Autocross Only tire category has held the honor of representing the highest level of performance available for DOT-approved track use. Tires in this class, such as the Hoosier R7, Toyo Proxes R, and Pirelli P Zero Trofeo Track, are engineered with near-slick tread patterns and compounds optimized to deliver maximum grip and speed in competition environments. Until recently, these products defined the upper limit of on-track performance within our portfolio.
Now, with the addition of Michelin's motorsports tires, including circuit slicks, intermediates, wets, and specialized rally and hill climb options, we now have the opportunity to measure true racing tires directly against the fastest offerings in the Racetrack & Autocross Only category.
As we recently finished a major evaluation of performance tires, we wanted to take the time to directly compare one of the leading tires in the space (the Hoosier R7) against Michelin's dedicated racing slick, the Pilot Sport GT M. The "S8M" next to the product name refers to the compound, as many of these non-DOT motorsports tires are available with multiple compounds for various track or weather conditions. The S8 was chosen for its faster warm-up characteristics, and is the intermediate available option - naturally between the S7 and S9 compounds.
For this evaluation, lap time reporting includes both the fastest single lap and the average lap time for each tire. Testing was conducted in full sun with ambient temperatures rising from the low to mid-90s °F and high humidity. While absolute lap times were slower than expected as a result, consistency across control runs confirmed the reliability of the data.
This test also includes a new wear analysis method: high-resolution images were taken of each tire in its brand-new state, and then again after eight laps. By overlaying these images, we generated a topographical "heat map" that highlights areas of compound loss or gain, revealing patterns of wear, rubber pickup, and material migration. This visual data provides insight into how each tire responds to track use beyond lap times and subjective feedback.
Racetrack & Autocross Only
275/35ZR18 87W LL
The R7 delivered sharp, immediate steering response, with quick turn-in and strong front-end authority. However, the R7 also struggled to maintain that performance beyond the first lap, with noticeable fall-off in cornering grip and traction balance. It was still very capable, but losing a full second from its fastest lap to its average lap was a stark difference. The sharpness of the steering response remained, but required smooth inputs at the wheel to manage its behavior.
Wear: As the control tire for this test, the R7 had more laps and more time put on it than the competition - and consequently, we saw a .5 ~ 1mm drop over approximately 60% of the tread beginning from the outboard shoulder. The shoulder itself saw a much steeper loss approximately 2~2.5mm, not uncharacteristic given the turn-bias of the track itself.
Fastest Dry Lap: 99.73 (-1.6)
Average Dry Lap: 101.11 (-2.48)
Racetrack & Autocross Only
27/65-18
This non-DOT tire was an absolute joy to experience on the track. Its massive amounts of grip, immediate steering response, and commanding braking capability were definitively beyond what we experienced on the R7. It offered a substantial step up in confidence and pace, allowing us to carry more speed through corners and get to throttle sooner with ease. The M2 felt composed and responsive, and even if mistakes were made, the tire's generous traction reserves helped us recover without drama. While there was some fall-off by the third lap, the overall experience left a strong impression, and it was an unquestionably dominant leader in speed.
Wear: The Pilot Sport GT S8M showed some gradation of loss along the outboard shoulder ranging from .5mm to 1.5mm, demonstrating impressive resilience.
Fastest Dry Lap: 98.13
Average Dry Lap: 98.63
There is little need for preamble here: the performance gap between the two tires is staggering. The lap time data largely speaks for itself, but the difference extends beyond the stopwatch to the overall feel on track. The Hoosier R7 not only trailed in outright pace but also exhibited a clear drop-off in performance after its initial run. While it stabilized somewhat thereafter, the sharpness of that first lap proved elusive, leaving it without the sustained capability to get back to that level of performance.
In contrast, the Michelin Pilot Sport GT S8M benefits significantly from not being constrained by road-legal requirements, any and all R&D was laid upon the altar of speed first. It hardly needs to be reiterated, but it was the best thing we drove during the broader test hands down. It magnifies everything you can possibly want the car to do and just performs whatever you ask of it without complaint. If you've ever wondered "how much better can a set of dedicated racing slick tires really be over something like a DOT semi-slick?" The answer is: a lot better.
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We can't help ourselves, we're always testing more tires out on the track. It's a good thing too, because with so many different categories and so many different features to evaluate, there aren't many places you're going to find this type of in-depth analysis. It's not a stretch to say with each tire test we do, you're going to learn something new - and maybe even find your next set of tires.
We tested six Extreme Performance Summer tires on the road, our test track, and at a road course to measure their performance, nuanced differences across each venue, and even threw in a Max Performance Summer tire to illuminate how EPs came to dominate.
Six exciting tires go head-to-head at our local road course!
We tested six Extreme Performance Summer tires on the road, our test track, and at a road course to measure their performance, nuanced differences across each venue, and even threw in a Max Performance Summer tire to illuminate how EPs came to dominate.
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