I just read in Grassroots that the other sanctioning body has signed a contract with Toyo to supply RA1's for all their spec series for the next three years. That would seem to suggest at least a small variety of sizes.
Do the RA1s really last that much longer?
What are the options for less spendy tires? Rubber amounted to a pretty big chunk of my budget last year. A harder tire, and give up speed? A grippier tire, then run easier? A bigger tire, which may not heat up and scrub off so quickly? Quit whining, and accept that I'm gonna shred tires? Spend $10k and find a lighter H car?
Jim Barnsley, Streetwise Service
WCMA IT2 Neon Twincam
2009/2010 Regional and Alberta IT2 Champion
2009 Regional Overall Champion. Second this year, dammit.
I made the transition from RA1s to Hoosiers after two years with the Golf and I am NOT convinced that the assumption that the Toyos "last longer" is accurate. If it is, it's not as big of a difference as some seem to think, I don't believe.
For what it's worth, the Golf weighs about 150# less than your car. We're limited to 14s but run 225s in the front and 205s in the rear. It could be a pain rotating around two tire sizes but since we do enduros and have more than 20 wheels it's OK.
We can run two three hour stints on fronts and still have meat on them for a couple of sessions. I'll start Regional sprints on fronts that have done one stint, easy. The rears just ride along for ages, unless they get flat-spotted.
I can't picture running with 205s on the front. We get REALLY good, even wear with the alignment we finally perched on and I'm pretty confident that putting less tire on the road would use up more rubber even after we re-optimized the alignment.
K
Take a look at the Nitto NT-01. Same compound as the Toyo with a slightly different tread pattern, work great on fat cars, and don't have to be shaved. Quite a bit less than the Toyo also. Some of the BMW teams love them.
Dave Burchfield
GLDiv ITS #74
Mazda RX-7(the one Kirk parked on the tire wall at Seattle)
(or so I am told)
Hey Jim,
Yes the RA1's did last that much longer at Race City (Calgary) then the R888's. I was to say less then impressed with the R888's...and no they don't work in the swamp either...
I usually bought 2 sets of RA1's and they would last 1.5 seasons at Calgary. The R888's looked like I would be lucky to get 2 race weekends on a set...not to mention they went off drastically through out the weekend. The RA1's started off kinda greasy, got decent and then stayed consistent until they were at the wear bars, then they got real good until they corded and obviously went off completely.
As for wear compared to Hoosiers I cannot say for sure other then 1 major issue we have at Calgary is the pavement condition...it is extremely poor, very course worn out asphalt that does a number on tires. Many who have run Hoosiers here have commented that they do not last long due to the rough pavement where as the Toyo's seemed to work OK.
As for 205/50R15 RA1's...can't get them in Canada anywhere as of last season (09)...only R888's...
Gord Galloway
Alberta Race Car Association Vice President
Honda CRXsi IT2 #32
Tires ARE a huge part of any racing budget. An option is the new Goodyears...just introduced and your size is first available. I ran them at the Runoffs, great grip, haven't worn any out yet. Contact Goodyear in your area, or I can dismount a set of used tires if you are interested--send e-mail.
LD71 []
Jim Barnsley, Streetwise Service
WCMA IT2 Neon Twincam
2009/2010 Regional and Alberta IT2 Champion
2009 Regional Overall Champion. Second this year, dammit.
Bookmarks