10 year old RA1's still good?

[bearcat74]

I'm currently refurbishing an older ITC car that came with Toyo RA1's dated 2002. I bought new tires for racing, but I'd like to use the old tires for my drivers school. The old tires don't have much wear, but are they safe?

[Greg Amy]

"Safe"? Possibly, but not likely. I wouldn't run them.

[Ed Funk]

I'd still use 'em.....for holding the tarp on the saw dust bunker.

[gran racing]

I used old tires before (not that old) and spun twice in the first session. They were absolute junk.

No! Don't make your school harder.

[JeffYoung]

I did basically this. Ran on the old SRF BFG R1s that someone sold me for $25 each before my school. Awful tires. Made it very hard.

Spend the money on decent tires.

[lawtonglenn]

.

and a quote from Brian Bagnall, most interesting man in the world:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfKTDMEoC88

.

[jimbbski]

I have a set ot Toyo's RA1's that were made in April of 2004 and went through drivers school and two races last year with no probems. At the MC drivers school I attended at BFR in July of last year I put the wheels and tires on a rental SM car and other then one S2000 car in the closed wheel group I was by far the fastest car in the school. I plan on using them up this season before switching to BFG's. (Which I have already.)

If the tires were stored properly then they are still safe to use. Fast is another matter. While they are intended for racing they still have to be built to DOT specs.

For example I have an old Ford van (1988) with 10+ years old tires that is parked outside 24/7. The tires have given me no problmes and show no signs of aging such as cracks in the sidewalls. I replace tires on my trailer after then showed such cracking.

[bearcat74]

Thanks for the advice guys. I feel like there's a consensus here (unless some of you have Hoosier stock!).

[gran racing]

Actually, thinking about it more I think you should go for it as long as you shoot good video and post it here afterwards. :D

[RSTPerformance]

I would use them... If they have tread, drive em!!!

Raymond

[gran racing]

Ask Ray where his wheel went at LRP or what rubber he wouldn't use.

Miss you bud!!!!

[lateapex911]

You didnt say what tires u have for racing.if they are not hoosiers just use them and throw the toyo bricks away. last thing u need in a school is crap under you.
If u have hoosiers then try to buy somebodys 8-10 session hoosiers for short $$

[bearcat74]

Actually, thinking about it more I think you should go for it as long as you shoot good video and post it here afterwards. :D

Dave, I'm very dissapointed in you for that comment. It's as if you wished to embarass me. I may have to use you book as kindling! ;) Seriously, I appreciate everyone's advice. I think I'll go with the Hankooks to avoid becoming a youtube sensation.

[Matt93SE]

Got small kids? use the Toyos as tire swings. Kids love tire swings.

[ShelbyRacer]

Or if we get another cold snap, they make great fuel for the fire... :)

I do have a deal on some brand new 205/50R15 Toyo R888s if that might help... That goes for anyone looking as well. I work part-time for TreadZone, and we have a little bit of overstock. I forget the exact price, but I know it's well under $100 per tire.

[Flyinglizard]

I need some newish RA 1, 205/50/15 SM fitment.

[Kai Noeske]

I had bought a set of Hoosier SMs with a few heat cycles on them from a race shop in Florida. Brought them up to Lime Rock last summer. Wondered why the car was so slippery. Checked tires - turns out they had sold me a set with an '05 or '06 production date; during the race, the old rubber had started cracking.

Throw your 10 yo rubber away. A race school has you on the track for 4-6 hours, there is a good chance you will lock up wheels a few times in that period or have a spin - you want something that you know will grip, will wear like iron, and doesn't die the moment it slides sideways across the track. Toyo R888s sound just perfect. Noone cares if you run 2 secs slower because you are not on sticker Hoosiers. Plus, it's not wasted money - what's left of the Toyos will make a great track day tire after the school, or a compromise first rain tire.

[boywonder]

Bob - I was in the same boat as you during my school (and 1st season), refreshing a C car that had set for a while and that came with numerous 5+ year-old shaved RA1s (w/ about a million heat cycles) that had sat in a non-temp controlled building in West Virginia. I made them work...

But if you have other tires at your disposal you might save yourself some loopdy-loops. ;)

I have a set of SRF take-offs that I use when I don't want to waste race rubber, you're welcome to use them for the school if you like - just email me through our ITC chain.

[bearcat74]

Bob - I was in the same boat as you during my school (and 1st season), refreshing a C car that had set for a while and that came with numerous 5+ year-old shaved RA1s (w/ about a million heat cycles) that had sat in a non-temp controlled building in West Virginia. I made them work...

But if you have other tires at your disposal you might save yourself some loopdy-loops. ;)

I have a set of SRF take-offs that I use when I don't want to waste race rubber, you're welcome to use them for the school if you like - just email me through our ITC chain.

Thanks for the offer Ryan. I'm thinking about buying a set of new RA1's or R888's to use instead of my new Hankooks. I could use them as my first set of rains like Kai suggested.

[Wreckerboy]

Actually, thinking about it more I think you should go for it as long as you shoot good video and post it here afterwards. :D


I see your experience with Kai is starting to pay off...