new guy tire question

[dickita15]

cool, this helps a lot. do most of you go through tire rack or local tire dealers to get your tires?

It is real nice to have at track support so I tend to support them.

[kyle robertson]

okay, ill find out who is the vendor down here. im going to get a set so i can run a couple track days at PBIR before my next event because I'm chaning a lot of things on the car. i was kinda leaning towards the kumhos but I might get a set of toyos first and see how i like them. where are you located phil?

[gran racing]

Phil will ship to you. Don't discount the quality of the shaving service. Yesterday I saw two Toyos shaved. One by another company, and one by Phil's. It was actually pretty interesting. Phil's yielded a wider contact patch and you could see the difference. Hey Phil, now that you don't have Ajah.

[RedMisted]

Kyle:
Another alternative is to run the Nitto NT-01. It is made by Toyo and for all practical purposes is basically the same as the RA-1, save for the tread pattern. I've run both these tires on my car and can't tell the difference except in the pocketbook. The Nittos in my size (245-45-17) are about $75/set cheaper...

[lateapex911]

My two cents:

Choose one path, or the other... in other words, choose a cheap long wearing tire to learn on, or get a fast tire that doesn't last. Only go "middle ground" if you can make the $ really work via contingency money or whatever.

Reason being is that most people chose one or the other, so you'll have plenty of others who can share their thoughts, data and setups with you. Choosing an "odd duck" tire really limits the knowledge, and knowledge is king.

[Toplevel]

What about Toyo R888?

[philstireservice]

Although R888's are as quick as RA-1's, and similar in handling characteristics as Hoosiers or Hankooks, but not as fast, they tend not to wear as long as a RA-1, more like a Hoosier or Hankook in the wear catergory