Poverty - they were on my MK5 GTI. How many track days did you do to ascertain this opinion? I will add, mine were the German made F1s, not from the far East.
I think your problems may have been down to pressures and driving style?
Which bringing it back on topic - Ed, have you been before? First timers, including me, have a tendancy to work the brakes and tyres a bit more due to winding on too much lock and overbraking in panic on blind bends (of which there are lots).. so take a gauge to ensure they're set properly and watch back to back laps on the stoppers. Give things time to cool, including your brain.