Any experience with "asphalt short track" tires?

So, I'm trying to get a Triumph TR6 ready for casual track use: just HPDE for now. Maybe vintage racing down the road.

Tire selection is kind of tricky since they came with super tall and skinny tires: the closest modern equivalent is 205/70-R15 (with an overall diameter of about 26.3"). There are zero choices for high-performance rubber in those kinds of sizes.

But it looks like I can get "Asphalt Short Track" tires in 26.5/8.0-15 ... which measures just about the same both in tread width (203 mm) and in overall diameter (26.5"). They're dirt cheap, too: retail price is just $130 for the Hoosier, but they're often on sale for as little as $50 each.

https://shop.hoosiertire.com/index.php/asphalt-oval/26-5-8-0-15-s800.html

They even look kind of vintagey to me. Seems too good to be true.

Any downside to running these tires at tracks like Tremblant, Mosport, VIR, or Pitt Race? Is there something I'm missing?

Look into American Racer, they might have what you are looking for at half the price of Hoosiers.

In this size, American Racer is only $10 less than the Hoosier. There’s also Goodyear, which is twice the price. But Hoosier and Am. Racer are in the same ballpark. 

I was more concerned about wear etc.

I figure, if anything, asphalt oval racing should be harder on tires than a road course. But I have zero experience with (what I’m assuming are) bias-ply slicks with this narrow/tall profile. 

if they are anything like dirt track tires I've heard from a buddy who put some on a chevy truck for a short while they can have a tendency to squirm around with road use, like it has soft sideways.

See if you can find info on durometer of the compound. I fear they will be too hard for the TR6.  These are aimed at 2500-3000 lb street stockers with equal or more power than your Triumph, and worse suspension. If they are soft enough to warm up they will work very well. Bias ply slicks are very forgiving by nature, much more "feel" than any radial.

I've had a similar thought for the cheap 13's they offer for El Rabbitto.  I'd ideally use the A7's in the 255/40/13 but unfortunately I am rusty enough on my autox skills that they are unnecessary momentarily....  The $50/tire vs 230/tire is pretty attractive if they offer 50-75% of the performance.

TurnerX19 said:

See if you can find info on durometer of the compound. I fear they will be too hard for the TR6.  These are aimed at 2500-3000 lb street stockers with equal or more power than your Triumph, and worse suspension.

The TR6 is surprisingly heavy for such a compact, bare-bones car: 2500 lbs in stock form. With me and a student in the passenger seat, we’d be approaching 3k lbs.

The tires come in a handful of different compounds. I suppose I should try the softest one first. 

We used f40 circle track slicks on the amc. Had a hard time warming them in autocross and they did not transition well on slaloms.

I have a friend that had a very fast Corvair and he used take offs for HEPD's.   Mosport included.

Tried a set of AR dirt track tires as a wet autox tire.......sucked in the wet/dry/hot/cold.:(

A Round track Tire Side Wall Is not the same as a road Race Tire, ask Your Local Dealer. 

Many circle track tires are designed to be mounted so that them rotate only one way with a particular side facing to the left. That's because circle track race cars only turn  left, the tries may be built to withstand cornering forces only in one direction. Not all tires are built that way so make sure you get ones that will work for turning right too.

I run take off asphalt sprint car tires for autoX. I have spoken several times with Hoosier about it. The reason for directional mounting of circle track tires is to prevent the carcass from 'unraveling.' I have been advised that once they have a heat cycle in them, they are ok to be flipped. Still wouldn't hurt to speak with them about your proposed tire specifically to find out what you can about sidewall construction, compounds, and determine if it will suit your use.

They will have soft sidewalls, They will take 3-4 heat cycles to "come in"  On a public road they will tend to wonder a bit due to soft sidewalls and Bias ply construction.  They maybe DOT rated but aren't ment for 20,000miles.   Oh they will suck in cold or wet.

That being said I know of several people / racers who have used there race car spares on there trailers to get home. One who left them on the trailer for years.