17 replies to this topic

[Cy Peake]

Since we're having this shortage of RA1s, I want to get a set of tires that acts similar on the track to use while racing in my second race group. I'm basically trying to preserve the last set of RA1s that I've got left for SM-only. I don't have the budget for Hoosiers. All I'm coming up with is:

Nitto NT-01
Hankook Z214 (C71 compound)

I refuse to run R888s based upon what I've read from our peers.

[Mike Collins]

The nitto NT-01 is EXACTLY!!!!!! the same tire as the RA-1. It has the same sidewall construction and rubber compound. Nitto is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyo. The NT-01 just has a different tread pattern. I tested these for Nitto a couple of years ago, I think I still have takes off in my barn somewhere. If you don't shave it to 2/32 you will leave some of the tread pattern and it makes noise but does not change the performance.

Call me if you want to know more about them.

[Jim Drago]

Since we're having this shortage of RA1s, I want to get a set of tires that acts similar on the track to use while racing in my second race group. I'm basically trying to preserve the last set of RA1s that I've got left for SM-only. I don't have the budget for Hoosiers. All I'm coming up with is:

Nitto NT-01
Hankook Z214 (C71 compound)

I refuse to run R888s based upon what I've read from our peers.

The cost of he Hoosiers is almost identical to Toyo? Are you asking for SM6 tires? if you just order a non sm 205-50 15, they are much more.
You must get SM6, it is same tire.

But as Mike said, the Nitto will be the same tire with different tread pattern. SO it may be the best choice as it will act the same.
Jim
Jim

[Cy Peake]

Thanks guys!

[Johnny D]

Wouldn't it be nice if they just allowed NT-01 in areas with shortages.
J~

[Danny Steyn]

Cy

dont write off the R888's, as I think you are doing the tire and yourself an injustice if you are just going by what people wrote on this forum. We used them for a season and I got to really like them. Some of my fastest lap times were done on R888's.

[Rob Burgoon]

The cost of he Hoosiers is almost identical to Toyo? Are you asking for SM6 tires? if you just order a non sm 205-50 15, they are much more.
You must get SM6, it is same tire.

But as Mike said, the Nitto will be the same tire with different tread pattern. SO it may be the best choice as it will act the same.
Jim
Jim

FWIW, I don't entirely believe Mike and Jim. I've found the NT-01 to a superior tire to the RA-1 in every way except for maybe full tread wet performance.

I find that a worn NT-01 is a little better than a perfect RA-1 and acts as a nice simulator for practice sessions.

OTOH, I suppose it's possible. I suppose bigger tread blocks could make the difference in grip and less squirm making the tires cycle out slower.


In summary, you don't want me bringing NT-01s to a toyo race.

p.s. r888s are like the pirellis in F1. If you try to run a 6/32" set to the cord, when they go, they fall off a cliff.

[Jim Drago]

Cy

dont write off the R888's, as I think you are doing the tire and yourself an injustice if you are just going by what people wrote on this forum. We used them for a season and I got to really like them. Some of my fastest lap times were done on R888's.

I agree

[Jim Drago]

FWIW, I don't entirely believe Mike and Jim. I've found the NT-01 to a superior tire to the RA-1 in every way except for maybe full tread wet performance.

I find that a worn NT-01 is a little better than a perfect RA-1 and acts as a nice simulator for practice sessions.

OTOH, I suppose it's possible. I suppose bigger tread blocks could make the difference in grip and less squirm making the tires cycle out slower.


In summary, you don't want me bringing NT-01s to a toyo race.

p.s. r888s are like the pirellis in F1. If you try to run a 6/32" set to the cord, when they go, they fall off a cliff.

All ball busting aside, Didn't we just determine you were running most of the season at 45% crossweight on your car and a bad hub and wondering how much better the car would be at 50%?
http://specmiataclas...hp?topic=1974.0

With your car in those conditions, do you think you were in a position to make the above statement?

I have only tried two sets of the Nitto tires, I noticed little to now difference compared RA1's. If the difference from RA1 to R888 was a 10 o a 1-10 scale, the jump from Nittos to Ra1's was a one or less in my opinion.

Jim

[Rob Burgoon]

All ball busting aside, Didn't we just determine you were running most of the season at 45% crossweight on your car and a bad hub and wondering how much better the car would be at 50%?
http://specmiataclas...hp?topic=1974.0

With your car in those conditions, do you think you were in a position to make the above statement?

I have only tried two sets of the Nitto tires, I noticed little to now difference compared RA1's. If the difference from RA1 to R888 was a 10 o a 1-10 scale, the jump from Nittos to Ra1's was a one or less in my opinion.

Jim

Haha, yes, and yes. Jacked up cross weight and bad hub aside, if I toggle between NT-01 and RA-1 every session ALL SEASON LONG for 2 years, I'd like to think I could identify a trend in raw grip. ABABA testing is good stuff.

I honestly don't have enough time on R888s to speak that language of your scale. I just know that NT-01s being run to the cord were very rarely worse than the RA-1s.

[Jim Drago]

Haha, yes, and yes. Jacked up cross weight and bad hub aside, if I toggle between NT-01 and RA-1 every session ALL SEASON LONG for 2 years, I'd like to think I could identify a trend in raw grip. ABABA testing is good stuff.

I honestly don't have enough time on R888s to speak that language of your scale. I just know that NT-01s being run to the cord were very rarely worse than the RA-1s.

fair enough, I have only tried the two sets. But I think we agree, 10x more similar to Ra1 than R888

[Rob Burgoon]

fair enough, I have only tried the two sets. But I think we agree, 10x more similar to Ra1 than R888

Yep, with you on that point. No falling off 6 seconds before cording or any of that crap. Very drivable right to the cord. Like the RA-1 but simply better.

[Cy Peake]

Should I expect to use the same starting pressures for the Nittos from my pages of notes for RA1s?

[Rob Burgoon]

Should I expect to use the same starting pressures for the Nittos from my pages of notes for RA1s?

For RA-1 simulation I'd try 38psi hot (same as what I run RA-1s at). For qualifying or max grip, I'd try something like 34 psi hot and see what happens. I like 38 just because I think it helps keep the shoulders from getting burned off and I'm not too worried about extracting maximum speed for STU, PTE, or ITA. On a 8inch wheel I'd go lower still.

For starting pressures, you're on your own.

[philstireservice]

I agree - don't discard the R888 as being very competitive. I shaved a couple of dozen RA-1's for a very well known and fast SM competitor in the past few months along with one set of R888's.......Well they just ordered some more shaved R888's........

[KentCarter]

I think the biggest problem with the 888's was how far off Toyo's advice on making the conversion was. It led those with little testing budget to go the wrong direction on setup and pressures. Once we figured them out, they were okay.

[davew]

In Toyos defense:

My front runners on R888 were very close to what Toyo recomended. BUT, the midpackers found the car too unstable at recomended pressures, so we adjusted accordingly

Dave

[pat slattery]

What were the recommended pressure for the R888. We found them to not be unstable, just slow in the 1.6. We tried high and low pressures, but never got the speed that we got with the RA1.

Pat