Club/Track Sprint Day Tyres?

So I've been searching the web for ages now looking and researching which track day tyres to get. I'm currently running Federal RS-R's as my first set of track tyres and while they are very cheap (less then $160 each new) they only last a few laps before they over heat and go off. They also don't have anywhere near the grip of guys on R compounds so I'm looking to upgrade. They are fun to drive on before they go off but at the same time, not very grippy like R compounds. I'm running 18x9 rear wheels and 17x7.5 fronts currently. From what I've read and gathered, medium R compounds will be the go for club sprint days as the soft compounds will also go off after a few laps (faster but only last a  few laps). If anyone can confirm that it will be good, will the A050's in soft go off very quickly like 2-3 laps? I've basically purchased a second set of rims now, I'll keep the RS-R's just to use in the wet and for some fun. So the second set of rim's I got are 17x8 front and 17x9 rear. I was thinking of getting the Nitto NT01's does anyone have experience with these? My choice for these is because they cost around $1000 for a set or less and from what I read last heaps of heat cycles and don't fade out after a few laps. From what I read the A050's and Dunlop Direzza are really, really good (fast) in medium compounds but they are about $2000+ a set which is too expensive for me. :( So if anyone has some advice and experience would be great! Also if anyone know's how the NT01's compare against say a A050 in lap times would be great. I really don't want to make the wrong tyre choice again as I regret getting the RS-R's even if they were $650 a set, so would love to hear from people before I get the NT01's.
 

I can get the A050's in Medium but just too much money. The sizes I was planning to run is 255/40/17 rear and 235/40/17 front. (Currently on 255/35/18 rear and 215/40/17 front) on the other rims.
Why don't you like the Nitto's NT01's? What about them don't you like?
Yeah I looked at the Hankook's I read both the Z221 and Z214 are really good but again they are about $1600 a set in my sizes/similar sizes (i.e 245/40/17). They were my next choice if the Nitto NT01's aren't any good. So what makes the Nitto NT01's bad?
 

Currently running Nitto neo gen as a street tyre and they work well on and off the track.

Awesome! exactly what I was looking for. So the NT01's are off my list then. Have you tried RE55's? Are they as good as the Dunlop, Yoko's? I heard the Hoosier can't do many heat cycles? Also how about the Hankooks?
 

The RE11's have taken over from the RE55s and because of that there are some brand new ones floating around for a bit cheaper then normal. So about $1700 in reasonable sizes for a set.
I was almost convinced to get a set of the NT01's but glad I asked here first. Almost every review online only say positive things about them but I saw much of the same for the Federal RSR's and was disappointed when I got them, though they are good for what they are, a non r compound and cheap. When I saw the NITTO's being an r compound and under a thousand dollars I was a bit worried because over the years with most things I've leant you get what you pay for. Cheap tyres are usually cheap for a reason....so I guess I will just have to hope for a second hand set of dunlops, advan's or bridgestones.
 

Nt01 will be much faster than the star specs. Nt01 are an R compound semi slick. Star specs are high performance street tyres. Stick to a proper R spec semi to keep it balanced with your Dunlops. Any will do. If nt01 are a good price then go with them. Keep with a medium compound to match the rear.

I run NT01's on the front with no issues. Value for money they are about the best IMO