Nankang

Taiwan's track day favorite delivering grip on a budget

Est. 1959•Taiwan

History & Overview

Nankang Rubber Tire Corporation was founded in 1959 in Taiwan, making it the country's first domestic tire manufacturer. The company's early decades were focused on building manufacturing capacity and serving the local market, gradually expanding into export markets as production grew. When Nankang started appearing in European and North American shops in meaningful volume, they competed almost entirely on price, offering tires that worked reliably at a fraction of what Michelin or Continental would cost.

What shifted Nankang's reputation in the enthusiast community was the NS-2R, a semi-slick street tire with a minimal tread pattern and a soft compound that generated real grip at track temperatures. Track day drivers found it through word of mouth and forum posts in the early 2000s and 2010s. For a driver trying to explore the limits of their car on a tight budget, the NS-2R delivered. It wore faster than premium tires and offered limited wet capability, but on a dry course or autocross pad it punched well above its price.

The AR-1, or Adrenalin R1, followed and became the brand's most recognized product in club motorsport. As a DOT-legal competition tire, it allowed drivers who couldn't justify Hoosier prices to run a dedicated compound. The AR-1 found a loyal following in SCCA, NASA, and time attack events across Europe and North America, where its price made fresh rubber at events possible for drivers who would otherwise have had to budget against it.

Today Nankang covers the full range from everyday touring tires to the CR-S competition semi-slick. Among enthusiasts, the brand is known specifically for those track-focused products. It is an honest value option and it does not pretend to be anything else.

For official specifications, visit Nankang's official website.

Popular Tire Lines

AR-1 (Adrenalin R1)

DOT Competition

DOT-legal competition tire that made dedicated track compounds accessible to drivers on a budget. The soft compound grips hard at temperature and delivers real performance in SCCA, NASA, and time attack events. Very limited street longevity and minimal wet capability, so this is a track-only or event-day tire. For club racers who want Hoosier-adjacent performance at significantly lower cost. 100 treadwear rating. Available 13"-18".

NS-2R

Extreme Performance Summer

The semi-slick that built Nankang's reputation in the enthusiast community. Minimal tread pattern maximizes the contact patch for dry grip, and the compound comes alive at track temperatures. Not a tire for rainy days, and it won't last long on a daily commute, but on a dry autocross course or casual track day it dramatically outperforms its price. A budget time attack and drifting community staple. 120 treadwear rating. Available 14"-20".

NS-25

Ultra High Performance Summer

Nankang's street-focused performance option for drivers who want a summer tire they can actually use in light rain. Asymmetric tread balances dry grip with wet drainage, making it usable for spirited street driving rather than track-only situations. A practical budget choice for sports car owners who want summer performance without full semi-slick compromises. Available 17"-22".

NS-20

High Performance Summer

Mainstream performance tire offering good grip at budget pricing. Wide circumferential grooves reduce hydroplaning risk. Solid everyday performance tire at accessible price point. Available in 14"-20".

CR-S (Competition Race Semi-slick)

DOT Competition

Nankang's latest competition semi-slick, developed specifically for time attack and grip-based events. Designed to improve consistency across multiple heat cycles compared to the AR-1, which can fade in back-to-back sessions. For drivers who do repeated hot laps rather than single sprint runs and need the compound to stay predictable. Available 13"-18".

SP-9 Cross Sport

Performance All-Season

All-season tire for SUVs and crossovers. Designed for year-round use with acceptable handling characteristics. Budget option for daily drivers. Available in 17"-22".

Price Range

$250 - $700+PER SET

Brand Highlights

  • AR-1 and NS-2R are cult favorites in grassroots motorsport for track day value
  • Taiwan's first and largest tire manufacturer, established 1959
  • Budget track day accessibility - AR-1 typically half the price of premium competition tires
  • NS-2R offers semi-slick performance for street and autocross at entry-level pricing
  • DOT-legal competition tires available in wide size range including 13" for vintage/lightweight builds
  • Popular choice for drifting community seeking affordable tire consumption

Find Nankang Tires

Browse our marketplace for wheel and tire packages from trusted sellers.

Search Marketplace