Ok guys. I've ran azenis for years now, and getting a bit tired of my fastest lap being my 3rd after that my times just fall off from there, the azenis don't tend to handle heat well.

The vehicle is a 97 ITR. They will be mounted on 15x7 K1's (205/50/15)

My times are very consistent @the track, and I keep it very smooth so I don't think I'm over driving the azenis.

I've considered the new azenis, but another R owner showed up w/them this weekend and ran similar times as me. I think they still have the same overheating problem.

I've decided I may want to step up to something that can handle the heat. I've been really looking @the Toyo RA-1's..



I believe they are the spec tire for world challenge, I could be wrong though. It seems to me they are a decent race tire, but have some streetable characteristics.. Mine will not be seeing street time.

My questions:

1.Will these tires require heat-cycling etc, to keep them in good shape?

2.Those of you that have run this tire, how does it behave? ie cornering response etc and can it handle the heat.

3. I noticed the tire is directional, but on some sites it states running the tire backwords is ok for the dry... ie flipping them will not effect the *dry* performance of the car. I have done this w/my azenis , to allow me to run them longer to accomodate for uneven wear. I just want to make sure these will not be damaged by running them backwords.

4. How long do these last in comparision w/other tires?

5. What prices are you guys seeing for the RA-1's?

Lastly if you have any other reccomendations for tires please post them up, I'd really appreciate anyone's opinion/feedback. Also anyone w/experience w/the new azenis in comparison w/the old azenis please chime in

 

looks like I may be picking up a used set of RA-1's. Anyone have any insight before I make my purchase?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FunctionMotoring &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

My questions:

1.Will these tires require heat-cycling etc, to keep them in good shape?

2.Those of you that have run this tire, how does it behave? ie cornering response etc and can it handle the heat.

3. I noticed the tire is directional, but on some sites it states running the tire backwords is ok for the dry... ie flipping them will not effect the *dry* performance of the car. I have done this w/my azenis , to allow me to run them longer to accomodate for uneven wear. I just want to make sure these will not be damaged by running them backwords.

4. How long do these last in comparision w/other tires?

5. What prices are you guys seeing for the RA-1's?

Lastly if you have any other reccomendations for tires please post them up, I'd really appreciate anyone's opinion/feedback. Also anyone w/experience w/the new azenis in comparison w/the old azenis please chime in

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Pretty sure the spec tyre for WC is Toyo T1-S.

If you are only using these for dry trackdays, have them shaved to about 1/8" of tread (available shaved from Les schwab, the only dealer on the West Coast if that is where you are at). They will last longer shaved, then at full tread depth.

They handle heat very well, they are a racing tyre. If you overheat any tyre it will behave poorly. If you drive smooth and have your car setup proper, they will handle the heat well.

I have never run them backwards, but I know you can. My racecar is setup fairly well and tyre wear is pretty even with proper rotation.

How long do they last? Not long. They are a race tyre and will typically last 20-30 heat cycles depending on many variables (car, driver, setup, management, etc.)

Price is size dependent. I run the 225/50/14 and the are around 140 per tyre shaved.

There are MANY other tyres on the market that would suit your needs. Hoosier make probably the fastest tyre out right now (RS04), Kuhmo and Avon to name some others......

I would never recommend driving the RA-1 on the street....they wear fast and if you are driving hard enough to warrant the need for an "R" compound tyre, your license should be taken away.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jisu009 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Pretty sure the spec tyre for WC is Toyo T1-S.

If you are only using these for dry trackdays, have them shaved to about 1/8" of tread (available shaved from Les schwab, the only dealer on the West Coast if that is where you are at). They will last longer shaved, then at full tread depth.

They handle heat very well, they are a racing tyre. If you overheat any tyre it will behave poorly. If you drive smooth and have your car setup proper, they will handle the heat well.

I have never run them backwards, but I know you can. My racecar is setup fairly well and tyre wear is pretty even with proper rotation.

How long do they last? Not long. They are a race tyre and will typically last 20-30 heat cycles depending on many variables (car, driver, setup, management, etc.)

Price is size dependent. I run the 225/50/14 and the are around 140 per tyre shaved.

There are MANY other tyres on the market that would suit your needs. Hoosier make probably the fastest tyre out right now (RS04), Kuhmo and Avon to name some others......

I would never recommend driving the RA-1 on the street....they wear fast and if you are driving hard enough to warrant the need for an "R" compound tyre, your license should be taken away.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks for the feedback, this is going to be a track only tire, but I'd like to purchase one of the longer wearing R-comps.

Another question why does shaving them increase the tread-life. It' very counter-intuative, but I have heard this stament before.

Is it because they will chunk if they are @full tread depth?

 

The RA-1's are a full out race tire as you have stated above. I get the impression that you want a very very grippy tire, but a tire that last a little bit. My answer, there isn't such a thing. On the track the Toyo RA-1's will last longer than the Toyo T1-S, which is an <U>amazing</U> tire. I have mounted the Hoosiers, and that was a bitch. I have mounted RA-1's....and those were a bitch. You are correct that the Speed Challenge cars have switched to the RA-1's, they ran the T1-S's last year but moved up to the Ra's. I personally couldn't imagine a better tire than the RA.....they will basically hold anything that you can throw at it. You <U>will not</U> be dissapointed, you'll poo your pants once you drive on them and compare them to the Azenis!!

 

I switched over to the RA-1 after getting comparison advice on track tires in this previous topic. I've been very happy with them, including 519 track miles on them this past weekend at Mid-Ohio. I did not have them shaved, and I did my own heat cycling (just drive 15 miles at highway speeds, then let them sit off the car for 48 hours). So far they are wearing very well, as well as my previous Yokohama A032R. But I haven't yet used up a set of the RA-1, so I can't be more precise than that.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FunctionMotoring &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1.Will these tires require heat-cycling etc, to keep them in good shape?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Just heat cycle them when you first get them, as noted above.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FunctionMotoring &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">2.Those of you that have run this tire, how does it behave? ie cornering response etc and can it handle the heat.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Excellent in both respects.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FunctionMotoring &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">5. What prices are you guys seeing for the RA-1's?</TD></TR></TABLE>

$139.95 in 205/50-15. I got mine from Frisby. Great folks.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jisu009 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you are only using these for dry trackdays, have them shaved to about 1/8" of tread (available shaved from Les schwab, the only dealer on the West Coast if that is where you are at). </TD></TR></TABLE>

Not true. You can get them shaved from Frisby's Las Vegas location. Unless you don't consider Vegas to be West Coast. (Personally, I would rather have tires shipped from the state next to me, so I don't have to pay sales tax like I would from an in-state dealer.)

 

There are a few Les Schwab locations in Vegas....they are a massice Toyo dealer and have every warranty imaginable. Seriously give les Schwab a looking into.....awesome service and knowledge

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

Thanks for the heat cycling tips Ken

My buddy works @Les Schwab, so if this used set doesn't pan out, Ill be picking up a set from him. He can get them for $119 ea. w/free mounting/balancing. Seems pretty reasonable to me, considering that is the cheapest I've found online.

 

Ok, I got my RA-1's.. going to get some heat cycling on them today.

Just curious to what pressures you guys are running on track.. cold and hot.

My car is ~2500lb's w/driver

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FunctionMotoring &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Ok, I got my RA-1's.. going to get some heat cycling on them today.

Just curious to what pressures you guys are running on track.. cold and hot.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good question.

I've heard from other folks that they run anywhere from 30 to 33 cold and 36 to 40 hot. That's about what I've run too.

You might also try asking on the Road Racing/Autocross forum...