Paul we ran bridgestone potenza racing semi slicks last year on our Corolla, its a AE111, dont know if yours is the same or not, with a 1.5 in it???? We ran about 5 days at Kirkiston last year, it is hard on the outside front left, we just kept rotating the wheels.
The difference was unreal in grip, but the outer edges took a beating even with the pressures down a bit, and the side walls were like a brick on them.
What Toby says about stretching them is the answer I think, he means to put a 155 tyre on where a 175 would be the best fit, the tyre then rolls flat instead of onto an edge then.
We have a set of second hand Yoko racing semi slicks on the front this year for the start, will see how they go, but I cant see us going back to road tyres, even worn out slicks are better for grip!!