Nankang CR-S is an Extreme Performance summer tyre with 200TW specifically designed for Club Racers participating in high performance environments, such as TimeAttack and Circuit Racing.
CR-S's asymmetric tread design is engineered specifically to increase rigidity to provide extreme levels of grip while providing direct steering response.
The aramid reinforced sidewall provides precise and responsive handling while providing consistent performance.
Nankang have been developing this tyre for the last 3 years with extensive testing with a clear goal to make this tyre a step up from the already successful AR-1 tyre. The CR-S is designed to be a faster tyre than AR-1 but also a more consistent tyre as well. Furthermore, it is also designed to be even more road user friendly with better driving comfort, lower noise & better in wet conditions than the AR-1. It’s a big challenge to make the car faster on track and at same time also better in overall road use but after lots of trial and error, they are finally ready to launch it in 2024 in UK & Europe
Design features include:
Two broad circumferential grooves on inner tread paired with larger angle of groove side wall and round groove bottom angle can provide excellent drainage efficiency and further enhance wet performance.
Outside tread shoulder resembling a slick can supply lateral grip to ensure excellent handling ability both on and off track
Micro circumferential groove design on intermediate tread contributes to heat dissipation when aggressive driving.
Optimised profile design increases tyre contact patch and further enhances grip
New cap compound with increased heat generation (fast help to reach operating temperature) can promote dry and wet grip performance
User Advice and Scrubbing In:
For most purposes, racing tyres will benefit from an appropriate ‘scrubbing in’ procedure. This provides the best combination of performance and longevity under race conditions.
There are several difficulties that arise when using racing tyres if they are not scrubbed in prior to use. The most common is “Cold Graining”, where the layer of the tread compound in contact with the track, fails in shear with the layer below. The result is a very visible low frequency, high amplitude rippling effect. This is more common with new tyres particularly when used in wet, damp or greasy conditions.
Nankang Motorsport recommends that a standard scrubbing in procedure be used whenever possible (conditions and regulations allowing). This consists of subjecting the tyres through one gentle heat cycle, gradually loading them up whilst avoiding drifting the car. Set cold air pressure at an adequate psi to handle the weight of the car. On track, gradually increase speed subsequently for a minimum three to four laps, with the first lap at 50%-60% of normal usage, gradually increasing but not to exceed 85% capacity with a cool down lap by the end of the session. This will result in a much-improved tire life and on track performance for future sessions.
If possible, scrub in at least one new set of tyres during free practice and put these aside for the race. In this way you will know that they have been balanced correctly, and have no slow punctures etc. Getting this done early is important as the qualifying session may become wet or be red flagged, which could force the use of new tyres in a race.
It should be noted that there is always going to be a slight performance peak from new tyres, but it will only be possible to take advantage of this if the car is balanced on its tyres. A correctly scrubbed in set of tyres will always give more consistent performance over its lifetime than a set that has been used hard from new, even if it hasn’t grained.
Temperature Operating Range: 70°C – 100°C
Tread Temperature Delta (Inside to Outside shoulder): Max 20°C
Measuring tyre tread temperatures can be a useful tool for optimising the handling balance of a vehicle. Nankang recommend measuring the temperature at three points across the width of the tyre contact patch (inside, middle and outer). The quoted values for temperature operating range are when using a needle style pyrometer and recording temperature at the base of the tread. The inside shoulder temperature should be hotter than the outside shoulder. Surface temperature readings will be approx. 30°C lower but can be used as a guide.