First Timer HPDE tire?

My wife has expressed an interest in HPDE; she's done touring laps before but never DE.  I am modifying a vehicle for her over the winter that will be a "dual purpose" car and am planning GLoc R8 pads, 18" wheels, and a 245-255/40R18 tire that isn't totally miserable for street driving.  I want something for her to learn on that will communicate, be decent in cooler temps and the wet, has some consistency for a novice and hopefully decent longevity with proper alignment.  

After spending a lot of time on the GRM Track Tire Chart, I've got it narrowed down to the following tires:

Conti ECF (just about finished a 2nd set on my ATSV)
Conti ECS02
GY SC3

All the above are within 10% of installed cost.

Obviously Andy's opinion will be weighted carefully, but curious what others would choose as well.

ECS02, has plenty of tread void to handle rain and handles cold temps well. The ECF would be a better choice for a streetable track tire if you want to sacrifice some wet grip and cold performance for on-track performance.

G-Loc R8s are rather noisy and grabby in my experience too, I find EBC Yellowstuffs to be similar but quieter.

I think the ECS is great for that purpose. The Michelin PS4S is also a great choice that's not on your list. 

I've run the ECS (originals) for about 5 years of HPDE (a couple wet weekends), Autocross, and year round street driving including wet and "snow" (can you call it that in VA?. They've done great for a miata and still on there currently. 

Yep PS4S and ECS02 are pretty similar.

Don't over think it.  For her first track day(s), it doesn't matter.  Teach her to get around the track safely, the basics.  Hell, all seasons will be fine.  This is a learning experience, she won't be using the benefits of a track oriented tire.  

Honestly my vote is none of the above.  Get some sporty all seasons and go have fun.

My first weekend was a 914 2.0  on mega metric 165s.  Yes I was slow but I learned balance and smoothness.  And what is felt like when a tire got too hot.  The lessons learned were worth going slow, mistakes are easier to correct that way.

SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) said:

Don't over think it.  For her first track day(s), it doesn't matter.  Teach her to get around the track safely, the basics.  Hell, all seasons will be fine.  This is a learning experience, she won't be using the benefits of a track oriented tire.  

ditto, if the current tires aren't worn go out on those.

If your wife gets into it she'll appreciate the difference a sportier tire makes.

Or maybe the half step between running whatever All seasons might be on there and a top pick for track tire might be seeing what tire rack may have on clearance in the size you need. Might find a tire better than your current tire for short money.

Another thing to consider is that all seasons give up is usually more linear and communicative than a track tire.  For a novice/intermediate that's critical.

Is she the only one driving the car on track, or are you going along and running your own sessions in it too?

If it's just her, I agree with the folks saying not to buy new tires.  For a first-ever track day the car needs to be in good mechanical shape, nothing more, and I would not buy new tires unless the ones on there are low on tread.  I'd probably even say the same thing about brake pads -- hold off on the upgrades until there's a demonstrated need.

What kind of car is it, anyway?

If it's a dual driver car then that's different.

SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) said:

Another thing to consider is that all seasons give up is usually more linear and communicative than a track tire.  For a novice/intermediate that's critical.

I think this is a great point. Plus, once they give up their grip, she'll be going slower than she would be with a TW200 tire or something more rowdy. I always encourage people to refrain from modifying cars at all until they have a chance to put them on the track. As long as the tires that are on the car now are safe (not punctured, out of date, or corded), why not just run those?

Brakes are free, though. Flush the fluid and get some good pads on there. EBC Yellowstuff worked well for me on the Audi. Depending on the car, stock pads can give up early and ruin your whole day (Nissan 350/370Zs, I'm looking at you...).

Agree with those who've suggested just running the car as is before determining a modification path.  My wife's first track days were in her NC Miata with Yoko S.Drives and stock brakes flushed with good fluid.  No problems at all.

That said, I definitely wouldn't buy a brand new set of all seasons that she may outgrow in 1-2 track days, especially if it's a heavy, high HP car....

What kind of car is it?  

Count me in on the run the tires that are on the car.

For a new driver regular street tires are fine.

ECS02.  Even if you weren't tracking the car, but especially since you are.

That's what I put on both of my daughters' cars for years.  When the slick stuff hits, you want all the grip you can get.