06/08/2026
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Trackday Tyre Battle: Nankang

The question of choosing the right trackday rubber is as old as motorsport itself. To clear up the debate with solid data, we at SPS Motorsport packed our gear and headed to France to test at the Circuit de Chenevières.

Our goal: A direct, relentless comparison of the three most popular Nankang performance tyres on the exact same vehicle under strictly equal conditions.

Maximum Consistency: The Testing Rules

To guarantee a completely level playing field, every tyre set followed a strict testing protocol:

Dimensions: Square setup in 205/50 R15 on identical wheels.
Pressure Procedure: Each set was thoroughly brought up to operating temperature on track and immediately adjusted to exactly 2.0 bar warm pressure.
Conditions: Same trackday, identical track conditions, unchanged suspension and alignment settings.

The Test Vehicle: Our 280 HP MX-5 NB Turbo

To really put these tyres to the test, we didn't bring a stock Miata. Our NB Turbo demands both mechanical grip and aerodynamic stability in equal measure:

Power Output: ~280 HP (Run on Low-Boost mapping)
Weight: 1,165 kg (including driver)
Aerodynamics: Front splitter, rear wing, full flat underbody & rear diffuser
Front Brakes: Stoptech 280 mm Big Brake Kit with aggressive Hawk DTC-60 pads
Rear Brakes: 251 mm OEM brake system with Hawk DTC-30 pads

On a highly technical layout like Chenevières, mechanical grip is paramount—especially when 280 turbocharged horsepower push hard against a 205-width tyre!

Tyre Candidates, Driving Impressions & Data Analysis

1. Nankang NS-2R (The All-Rounder & Entry-Level Track Tyre)

The NS-2R is a long-standing favorite for street-and-track enthusiasts. It impresses with predictable behavior, high durability, and solid wet weather capability.

On-Track Performance: The NS-2R provides very soft, forgiving feedback. The limit announces itself gently, making it great for learning car control. However, with 280 HP on the rear axle, it reaches its thermal traction limits after about 3 fast push laps.
Lap Time: 1:55.88 min (+4.18 s delta to overall best)
- Sector 1 (Épingle 1): 29.26 s
- Sector 2 (Bout ligne droite): 16.80 s
- Sector 3 (Sortie escargot): 28.04 s
- Sector 4 (Ligne): 41.78 s

2. Nankang AR-1 (The Dedicated Trackday Semi-Slick)

The AR-1 is a true staple in the trackday community. Featuring ultra-stiff sidewalls and a compound engineered for high thermal loads, it's built for hard track abuse.

On-Track Performance: An absolute workhorse! The AR-1 resists overheating, tolerates being overdriven, and recovers its grip level quickly. You can hold it in a controlled half-slide lap after lap without severe drop-off, offering incredible value for dry trackdays.
Lap Time: 1:53.29 min (+1.59 s delta to overall best)
- Sector 1 (Épingle 1): 28.18 s
- Sector 2 (Bout ligne droite): 16.89 s
- Sector 3 (Sortie escargot): 27.19 s
- Sector 4 (Ligne): 41.04 s
- Takeaway: A massive 2.59 seconds faster than the NS-2R!

3. Nankang CR-S (The Ultimate High-End 200TW Benchmark)

The CR-S represents Nankang's latest flagship development for trackday performance.

On-Track Performance: The CR-S lays down blistering times right out of the gate. While it rewards precise heat management and requires a moment longer to cool down if overdriven compared to the AR-1, its peak grip window is unmatched in this test. Additionally, it offers significantly more confidence and safety during unexpected rain or damp sessions.
Lap Time: 1:51.69 min (OVERALL BEST TIME – 0.00 s)
- Sector 1 (Épingle 1): 27.73 s (Best)
- Sector 2 (Bout ligne droite): 16.48 s (Best)
- Sector 3 (Sortie escargot): 26.72 s (Best)
- Sector 4 (Ligne): 40.76 s (Best)
- Takeaway: Dominating every single sector, the CR-S set a stunning pace, outpacing the AR-1 by another 1.60 seconds!

Results & Data Summary

*Tyre Model*	*Lap Time*	*Gap to Best*	*Sector 1*	*Sector 2*	*Sector 3*	*Sector 4*
*Nankang CR-S*	*1:51.69 min*	*BENCHMARK*	*27.73 s*	*16.48 s*	*26.72 s*	*40.76 s*
*Nankang AR-1*	*1:53.29 min*	*+1.59 s*	28.18 s	16.89 s	27.19 s	41.04 s
*Nankang NS-2R*	*1:55.88 min*	*+4.18 s*	29.26 s	16.80 s	28.04 s	41.78 s

Conclusion: Which Tyre Should You Choose?

Each of these three tyres serves a clear purpose within the Miata ecosystem:

Nankang NS-2R: Ideal for beginners, road driving with occasional track visits, or drivers looking for maximum seat time and fun on a budget without worrying about rapid tyre wear.
Nankang AR-1: The proven go-to option for dedicated dry trackdays. Extremely durable, heat-resistant, and allows drivers to push flat-out lap after lap.
Nankang CR-S: The undisputed king of the stopwatch! If you are chasing ultimate lap times, require a wider weather operating window, or run a high-performance track build, the CR-S is currently the absolute pinnacle.

🎬 Watch the full test video from Circuit de Chenevières on our YouTube channel:

Which is the right tyre for your MX-5? // Nankang Semi-Slick Comparison

Which tyre are you running on your MX-5? Let us know in the comments below or contact us directly if you need help finding the ideal setup for your build!

Tracktool

Nankang CR-S 15 Inch

Tyre Dimension: 205/50 R15 89(XL) V

The new Nankang CR-S is finally here! With their asymmetrical thread, they are perfectly designed for wet and dry conditions. The inner part of the tire is designed for optimal water drainage in wet conditions through the two main grooves. The outer part is more like a slick in order to provide high grip in corners as well as on the straights and to bring the tire into the optimal temperature window. During tests by Nankang in Zandvoort, a lap time difference of around 1.4 seconds was achieved with a BMW M240i Cup car. Here is some information about the test: Vehicle: BMW M240i Cup Test track: Zandvoort (4.259km, 14 corners) Fastest time Nankang AR-1: 1:54.63 Fastest time Nankang CR-S: 1:53.26 Heat semi-racing tires to at least 30 ° C. Complaints due to stress cracks after assembly are generally not recognized. Due to the higher contact patch to the street the tyres are going to be louder compared to casual street tyres. CAUTION! THE FOLLOWING DIMENSIONS ARE NOT ROAD LEGAL AND ONLY FOR COMPETITION USE: CR-S 195/50 R15 82 V CR-S 195/55 ZR15 89(XL) W

Variants from €175.00*

€185.00*

Nankang AR-1 15 inches

Tyre Dimension: 205/50 ZR15 86 W

The Nankang AR-1 Semi Slick was launched in 2016. After revision of the mix it is in the current version in terms of performance at the forefront. Where no one can fool him, is the price / performance ratio. Its favorable purchase price in connection with the long durability, make it finally the first choice, also for ourselves. We use it even in the TimeAttack on our race car and also on various private vehicles of our coworkers. So we could gather a lot of experiences, so that we can help you with any questions in the best possible way. In addition, we could test the tire ourselves in this way to find out if the tire meets our requirements.Heat semi-racing tires to at least 30 ° C. Complaints due to stress cracks after assembly are generally not recognized. Due to the higher contact patch to the street the tyres are going to be louder compared to casual street tyres.

Variants from €148.99*

€161.00*

Nankang NS-2R 15 inches

Tyre Dimension: 205/50 ZR15 89 W

We ourselves use the NS-2R on some of our employees' private cars and have gained so many positive experiences that you can now benefit!The three circumferential main grooves on the central tread provide for more efficient drainage and better wet handling. The unique camber design of the grooved profile sides can ensure that no excessive pressure is built up to effectively prevent an irregular profile abrasion. The continuous tread shoulder design can improve tire stiffness and provide more grip in turns. Optimized tread width design (contact area 13% wider than normal tire design) can improve stability at high speeds. The large blocks on the profile shoulder improve stiffness and cornering.Heat semi-racing tires to at least 30 ° C. Complaints due to stress cracks after assembly are generally not recognized. Due to the higher contact patch to the street the tyres are going to be louder compared to casual street tyres.

€125.99*