I run ebc yellowstuff on my gen3 setup, it pulls up super well on the street or track. Better when they're warm but you do go through a lot of the pads

RSRs will last for quite some time. I had a set with my NA while I was dailying it, lasted for 8-10 months with probably 10-15 track days.

Hankook RS-3 is another cheap alternative so the RSRs. I wouldn't condone semi-slicks because
1. You might not utilise the full potential (my experience which is not much!) since you say you're not regular. Also less grip will teach you more when it gets "interesting"
2. Have to carry them to the track unless you don't mind pissing money wearing them out
3. Have to fit them at the track and take them off (personal gripe)
Buuttttt...if you're gunning for podium by all means...
 
Brake pad wise - QFM A1RM seems to have decent rep, I had them on the BEAMS b4 I sold her but never got to track them. Dust wise pretty good too. About $120-$130 a pair and locally made. The TRWs (Euro OEM) on my sis' Astra is a nightmare. Doesn't help that she rarely washes the car but it cleans off fairly well. My Porterfield R4S were stupendously dustfree on the street.

Admin
If you drive your car once a week, 100 would be OK though if you drive every day, I would recommend 200-250 if you still want some performance and still have some tread left after 6 months.

Thanks, that's good info. Now you can probably see why I chose my current tyres.

asimovy
RSRs will last for quite some time. I had a set with my NA while I was dailying it, lasted for 8-10 months with probably 10-15 track days.

For what they are, that's awesome! I don't do many trackdays, so they would last even longer for me.
 

Tree
I wouldn't condone semi-slicks because
1. You might not utilise the full potential (my experience which is not much!) since you say you're not regular. Also less grip will teach you more when it gets "interesting"
2. Have to carry them to the track unless you don't mind pissing money wearing them out
3. Have to fit them at the track and take them off (personal gripe)

Lots of good points there Tree!
Street tyres are fun and more of a handful at the track, which is good for gaining experience, especially in a high powered car like mine. That's the main reason why I'm happy to use street tyres until I decide that I can't possibly reduce my lap times any further without semi slicks. I will be pushing myself much harder at the upcoming MTC compared to the last one though, so the street tyres will be holding me back for sure.
 
Anyway, I was looking at the available tyre sizes for RSRs, and in doing so I was reminded of something very annoying. With my 18 inch wheels, the front tyres MUST be 35 profile. I know this because I once tried 225/40 tyres on my 18 inch rims and I couldn't even turn full-lock without the tyres rubbing against the wheel wells. Also, most of the available 35 profile tyres for 18 inch rims are too wide for my 8 inch front rims and tiny clearance from the coilovers.
Soooo with that in mind, if I decided to go for semi slicks just for the track, then it seems I would have no choice but to buy some 17 inch track-only rims. With 17 inch rims, the rolling diameter of 40 profile tyres is roughly the same as 35 profile tyres on 18 inch rims.

I run 17 inch. 18 is too big for a mr2 on the circuit. Looks good on the street though

17 inch are cheaper as well.

Street tyres are definitely better for learning on. Everything happens much slower than on semi slicks which makes it easier to dance with the car on the limit. Lower grip will also teach you better throttle control and braking. Something like the neova ad08r if you want best of the best. Or a kumho ku36 if you want something cheaper. But really, any tyres in that category would be great.

I've used ebc yellow before and they were excellent. Using qfm a1rm now and they're good as well. Cheap as chips too so they're now my go-to brake pad. Been through a couple of sets.

Thanks Adrian!

A050-RSR does not even compare.
 
With regards to the pads QFM or one of the Jap brands would be my choice. The current TRW's will never fade no matter how many laps you do but i would put them in the very dusty category. Thats why they are so good without noise.
 
Any of the cheap brands of semi's are good for the first two laps but get greasy. This is where a quality semi will continue to grip and not "sweat" 
 
Stick with what you have Rob, your car will drive home after a great two days of racing as it did last time. Enjoy the event;)

Exactly right Trav! Just run what ya brung. Will be awesome fun regardless of what gear you have on the car. The last track day I did was on $300 Chinese tyres and it was a fantastic day. I'll be using them at MTC for the drift sessions :)