Rain tires??

[dave parker]

If you are working with a limited budget (who isn't!) than I would recommend a set of full tread toyo RA1's. They are a fairly decent choice for a rain tire plus you can use them as dry tires if you are really in a pinch (like two flat tires from an off-course excursion and no tire people at the event)even though they wont be as good as shaved RA1's. When you are starting to get to the pointy end of the field the RA1's will not be you choice of tire, but that is a whole other thread.
cheers
Dave Parker
WDCR HP#97

[joeg]

A better choice than the Toyo (as an intermediate) is the KUHMO Victoracer. While they are still available. Less expensive and work better in the damp.

[wepsbee]

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it!!!!

[Carlos Gutierrez]

A better choice than the Toyo (as an intermediate) is the KUHMO Victoracer. While they are still available. Less expensive and work better in the damp.

plus 1 on the above ;
The Toyo RA 1 is the worst rain tire out there, period. Whether you're a new guy or an experienced racer. They suck in the wet.
Buy the Hoosier DOT radial wets, they will actually let you drive 'off line' to pass people. If you're budget can't handle them, go for the kumho Victo, or even the new Toyo R888, which handles better than the RA1 in wet conditions.
You did say "rain" tires ? not rain and dry tires. There is a world of difference in grip between the Hoosier wet and the RA1.
Be safe,
Carlos Gutierrez

[Tkczecheredflag]

plus 1 on the above ;
You did say "rain" tires ? not rain and dry tires. There is a world of difference in grip between the Hoosier wet and the RA1.
Be safe,
Carlos Gutierrez

Carlos - I really enjoy racing in the rain - Some people think I love it - I have to say that I do not see a noticable difference in the Hossier DS and the new Rain tires - I've run them on a 1st Gen CRX and a 3rd Gen Integra and I found them very adequate in both cars and in very wet conditions. I will say that the REX looked like a Match Box car with the Hoosier Wets- But it was fun to drive.

Additional interesting photos from Doug.

Doug Koza - Photographer

[gran racing]

If someone wants to run at the front and has the budget for it, then yeah I'd buy the Hoosier DS or Wets. For someone new to racing (that's what the original post was, right?) then the Toyos can make a great wet tire. I now have the Hoosier Wets but when first started racing the Toyos made perfect sense. I knew that there was NO way I'd win even in the wet, I needed a lot more seat time, and thus the Toyos fit my goals better. When I walked around the paddock, all I saw was Hoosier DS dry rotting. What I liked about the Toyos was that after a while if I hadn't used them, I could use them in the dry then move to Hoosier wets if my goals changed (which they did).

I also will say that some of this will depend upon the climate you live in. If one lives in Seattle, then don't even bother by dry tires and stock up on the Hoosier Wet or DS tires.

[Andy Bettencourt]

And we can't say this enough - they don't make the Dirt Stocker anymore.

[Greg Amy]

And we can't say this enough - they don't make the Dirt Stocker anymore.

For - what? - two years now? That means that any Dirt Stockers you find used now, unless they've been METICULOUSLY cared for, are starting to go away. Joe DiMinno *swears* by his cast-off Dirt Stockers (the dude literally pulls them off the scrap heap) but if we were to put him on some new radials I bet he'd love 'em...