Toyo R888

[tom_sprecher]

Does anybody have any experience running the R888? I've heard more than a few people have complained that they become unpredictable after just a few cycles. But there's that $100 coupon I'd like to get my hands on. Oh, and Steve, if your reading this please drop it in the mail .

I see SEDiv IT7 rules allow the use of the R888 and I understand the RA1 will be phased out.

Since the IT Triple Crown and ProIT do not support an IT7 class I was thinking about switching to ITA, going with Hoosiers and avoiding any potential problems. Or maybe not.

What do have you guys heard?

[wcmcarlos]

It is all hearsay, but my information [from a dealer] is that the 888 is inferior to the RA1 on several levels.
I was shocked when I heard this, Grassroots Motorsports magazine
did not seem to think so, and they have done some research.
Carlos

[Andy Bettencourt]

Fairly extensive discussion here:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=964597

Weed out the DE guys and you may find some nuggets of wisdom.

[Team SSR]

We've raced our R888's at VIR and CMP. Unshaved. In the dry, wet and drying conditions. Similar performance 'advantage' as the RA1's: cheaper when you buy them and cheaper when you use them. Still slower than Hoosiers. I consider it a performance advantage because we couldn't run as many races if we had to put Hoosiers on all the time.

[tom_sprecher]

It is all hearsay, but my information [from a dealer] is that the 888 is inferior to the RA1 on several levels.

I received the same information, probably from the same dealer which is what prompted the post. I have not found evidence to suppport the claim anywhere else so now I'm confused. Since I'm really new at driving I doubt I could tell a difference and could really use the $100 one of the Toyo coupons would save me so I'll probably go with the R888's.

The question now is shaved or unshaved?

[Team SSR]

If it helps any, we were advised by the tire dealer that not shaving the tire would make them more consistent over the life of the tire and increase their useful life span. They will be slower at 6/32 but we haven't experienced any chunking or even extreme feathering. Obviously we have not run them in the heat of the summer yet either.

[tnord]

i'd be curious what tire dealer told you that.

that advice is very suspect in my experience/opinion.

[NORRIS]

I ran a set of full tread 235x40x17 888's on my ITR 325 at Willow Springs last year. I ran the same setup as I run with Hoosiers and shaved RA1s. Willow is real hard on left side tires and it was about 90 degrees there.

I found them a little faster than RA1's but still slower than Hoosiers. They wer'nt quite as predictable as the RA1's. But here's the main problem I found. They didnt last that long! I ran 4 laps in practice and 4 in qualifying and then a 15 lap race. I did a this at a double race at Willow and then the same at Buttonwillow (much easier on tires) And they were done! Not cycled out like a Hoosier but just plain wore out.

Having said that I did notice that they wore out on the inside, so if I optimised my camber (less) for the 888 I probably would get better wear and performance. But right now I prefer RA1's when the competition isnt so tough or Hoosiers when I realy need to step up