Is nankang ar-1 the top budget tyre for UAE track days? AED 600–1200. Grip, noise, durability for Dubai Autodrome, Yas Marina.
Nankang ar-1, priced AED 600–1200 in 2025, is a budget semi-slick for UAE track days at Dubai Autodrome and Yas Marina. Founded in 1959 in Taiwan, Nankang’s AR-1, a 100 treadwear (TW) tyre with 5.5 mm tread, is ESMA-compliant, showcased at the 2024 Dubai Motor Show. Is the nankang ar-1 the best budget racing tyre for 50°C heat, 140 km/h Sheikh Zayed Road transits, and rare 20 mm rain? This review tests its grip, durability, and noise for BMW M3, Porsche 911, and Honda Civic Type R drivers, comparing it to Toyo R888R.
Nankang ar-1 offers track-ready features at low cost:
Affordable: AED 600–1200, 30% less than Toyo R888R.
Sizes: 205/50R15–295/30R18 for M3, 911, Civic Type R.
Grip: Sticky after half a lap, ideal for short sessions.
A Civic Type R driver says, “Nankang ar-1 grips hard for AED 800.”
At Dubai Autodrome, nankang ar-1 scores 4.5/5 dry grip, stopping in ~34 meters at 100 km/h, ~0.95g lateral grip on M3, per a driver: “Corners like glue.” At Yas Marina in 50°C, it’s 4/5, ~35 meters, but heat soak cuts grip after 5 laps, per a 911 driver: “Cool it between runs.” It beats R888R (~36 m braking).
In 20 mm rain, nankang ar-1 gets 2.5/5 wet grip, ~42 meters braking on Civic Type R, per a driver: “Slips in wet, high aquaplaning.” R888R fares better (3/5, ~40 m). Avoid wet tracks.
On Sheikh Zayed Road, nankang ar-1 scores 3/5 comfort, ~72–75 dB noise on M3, per a driver: “Loud, stiff for transits.” It’s ESMA road-legal but not daily-friendly, worse than R888R (~70 dB).
Nankang ar-1 lasts 10–15 heat cycles (2–3 track days), tread at ~3 mm after 500 laps, per an M3 driver: “Solid for AED 800.” Heat cycling (3–4 gentle laps, 24-hour cool) extends life, outlasting R888R (8–12 cycles).
Pricing: AED 600–1200 (e.g., 205/50R15 at AED 600 for Civic Type R).
Promotions: “Buy 3, get 1 free” saves AED 600–1200 in sales.
Setup: 24 PSI cold, 27–30 PSI hot, -1° to -3° camber. Heat cycle before racing, per a 911 driver: “Scrubbing in saves wear.”
Pros:
Value: Half the price of premium tyres.
Dry Grip: 4.5/5, rivals pricier options.
Warm-Up: Sticky fast, great for sprints.
Cons:
Wet Grip: 2.5/5, risky in rain.
Noise: ~72–75 dB, loud on streets.
Heat Soak: Greasy after 5 hot laps.
BMW M3: Nankang ar-1 (AED 800–1200) excels for dry sprints at Yas Marina.
Porsche 911: Good value but needs cooling; R888R for longer runs.
Civic Type R: Budget grip for Dubai Autodrome’s tight corners.
Nankang ar-1 shines for short, dry sessions but lags in wet and endurance.
Sizes: Check 205/50R15–295/30R18, Y/ZR ratings.
ESMA: Verify 1.6 mm tread, RFID tags.
Promotions: Grab “buy 3, get 1 free” deals.
Setup: Heat cycle, adjust camber for grip.
Nankang ar-1 (AED 600–1200) offers UAE track day drivers 4.5/5 dry grip, ~34-meter braking, and 10–15 heat cycles for M3, 911, and Civic Type R. It beats Toyo R888R on price and warm-up but struggles with 2.5/5 wet grip and heat soak. Use “buy 3, get 1 free” deals, set 27–30 PSI hot, and heat cycle for Dubai Autodrome or Yas Marina. For budget dry sprints, nankang ar-1 is a top pick—just avoid rain and long sessions.
