Recommended R-Compound Street Legal Tires?

[messex]

Ok, so I've done several DE events, using my Street tires. I don't have a trailer, and haven't come up with the 'Hitch Hack' that some have, so they can pull a trailer, so I was looking for some R-compound, street-legal tires that would be stickier than normal street tires, but could still be driven to the track. I have a second set of wheels, so was going to swap them out and drive to the track.

I believe there are some Toyo and maybe Bridgestone tires that fit this bill. Just wondering if anybody here on the board has run some of these tires, and their impression of them. I figured I would try a set, and then, once I used them up, either try a different brand, or have a trailer set up by then.

Just interested in anybody that has experience with some of these.

Thanks,
Mark

[Cajundaddy]

Toyo R888- 100tw- unobtainium right now due to the tsunami in Japan. Decent in dry weather but overheat easily when pushed hard. Good in the wet.

Toyo RA-1- 100tw- Also hard to find right now. Good wet or dry and long life. Best if shaved/heat cycled. They get better as they wear.

Nitto NT-01- Still available but stocks are thin. My favorite DOT-R 100tw tire on dry tracks. Treacherous through standing water or on wet painted gators.

All of these tires are a good transition from street tires. They are reasonably priced and are good for 50 heat cycles (10 days) if you don't abuse them. They have more grip, are more precise than street tires but also more delicate. One big spin and you will flat spot all four which renders them useless. My general recommendation is to run 1 full year on sticky street tires. Once you have gotten most of the big spins out of your system then transition to DOT-R compounds.

[messex]

Thank you very much for that detailed analysis and explanation. That was very helpful!

Mark

[very~worn~944]

We run durezza starspecs on our leMons car due to the treadwear restriction, and they are phenomenal. They seam very predictable but offer large levels of grip! We ran em pooring rain at infineon, and toasty hot at thunderhill... offering the grip to dance around people in the high g turns even in the wet- without being chewed away like an open wallet out the window

[racer]

Depending on your experience level, you might learn more by stayng on streets. Sure, you might not be as quick, but (ab)using streets for a while might get you more comfortable with sliding your car.. ie, finding the limits easier/safer than having a "moment" and not knowing how to recover.

That said, for true "R" comps, I've liked the ToyoRA1. Drove em on the street, track, ax, highway, in rain, on long trips etc. Best "compromise" tire out there imho.

More importantly, I would address your alignment and how you will get more negative camber into the car. R comps like -2.5-5.0 degrees. Most "stock" cars can only get about -1.5-2.0 degrees negative camber.

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by racer

depending on your experience level, you might learn more by stayng on streets. Sure, you might not be as quick, but (ab)using streets for a while might get you more comfortable with sliding your car.. Ie, finding the limits easier/safer than having a "moment" and not knowing how to recover.

That said, for true "r" comps, i've liked the toyora1. Drove em on the street, track, ax, highway, in rain, on long trips etc. Best "compromise" tire out there imho.

More importantly, i would address your alignment and how you will get more negative camber into the car. R comps like -2.5-5.0 degrees. Most "stock" cars can only get about -1.5-2.0 degrees negative camber.

+1