So my Falkens are near the end of their life (I have maybe 1 track day left) and I am going to be getting some Toyo RA-1s to replace them. My only dilemma is this: it is nearing the end of the track season so do I just get as much as I can out of the Falkens and then call it good for this year and buy the Toyos in the Spring OR do I get the Toyos now, put a couple track days on them and then let them sit all winter?

Will the tires loose any of their grip/life by sitting in my garage all winter?

 

Race tires must be stored over a certain temperature. I think its something like 15°C(don't quote me on that though).

As for purchasing the set now, its all depends on how safe those Falkens are. I mean, can you get a couple more "Safe" track days out of them or are they on the brink of being junk. If they are pretty must done..I would definately purchase some new rubber for the upcoming track events.

 

Ooooh tough choice...
I'd also Like to hear what the tire gods spew out on this subject

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chillinit &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">As for purchasing the set now, its all depends on how safe those Falkens are. I mean, can you get a couple more "Safe" track days out of them or are they on the brink of being junk. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I am confident I can get a couple track days out of them. The kicker is that I want to start doing SCCA Time Trials and there is a big national event at my home track in October... now the R compunds would be nicey nice for that.

 

How and where would you be storing them over the winter?

 

IM sent.

 

Also, how track days do you have planed for the rest of the season??

I would just get them, you know you want them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sscguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How and where would you be storing them over the winter?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm not sure. I would learn the best way to store them and I would do it that way...

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by canuckr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Also, how track days do you have planed for the rest of the season??

I would just get them, you know you want them. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I have I would say 3 days left including the event if I do it this year. And yes, I do want them...

 

I would purchase them if I were you considering you have another 3 track days! Just think of the added performance you will get! YAY!

 

For whatever it's worth, I stored a set of RA1 over last winter in my garage and I think they did perfectly well the first few seasons.

I only stopped using them because I went w/a bigger size.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by George Knighton &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">For whatever it's worth, I stored a set of RA1 over last winter in my garage and I think they did perfectly well the first few seasons.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I can vouch similar behavior with RA1s in Chicago winters. They don't age THAT quickly, maybe if you're counting tenths, you might be worried about their age in the spring. But for most HPDE stuff, we're not, just take a lap or two to scrub the dust off

 

What I did for the last winter was to wrap them tight with plastic wraps.

 

I'd buy the set but don't break them in before winter. Use up your Falkens and store the R compound. Just so you have them and don't have to worry about getting them later. Also I saw that you lived in Denver! I was just out there last week and compared to the south it was pretty damn cold even in the summer. I can't imagine how cold it is in the winter over there! Well anyways, make sure you put those tires in plastic bags and in a damp moist place for the winter. Just find a place at your home where they'll not touch the snow!

 

http://www.hoosiertire.com/faqrr.htm#7

 

RA-1s are good to go with anything you throw at them.

I've stored them improperly, run them backwards and basically beat the **** out of them - and they still come back with "is that all you got punk?".

Ditch the Falkens and get the RA-1s. It will take you at least one track day on them to scrub them in well - so if you get them in the fall they will be perfect for next spring.

The only thing that really ages tires is ozone and UV rays.

Just wrap them in plastic and keep them in your basement or something - they'll be fine.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Big Phat R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">RA-1s are good to go with anything you throw at them.

I've stored them improperly, run them backwards and basically beat the **** out of them - and they still come back with "is that all you got punk?".

Ditch the Falkens and get the RA-1s. It will take you at least one track day on them to scrub them in well - so if you get them in the fall they will be perfect for next spring.

The only thing that really ages tires is ozone and UV rays.

Just wrap them in plastic and keep them in your basement or something - they'll be fine.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I hear ya. If I get them now they will end up being stored in the garage on the car over the winter - which is not ideal I know. I have plans to get a set of beater wheels over the winter, but not now. Remember, this is a track only car really and the drive to the track is 15 minutes.

 

why don't you take em off for winter and leave the caR on the jack stands.?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by mehdiR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why don't you take em off for winter and leave the caR on the jack stands.?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Because my garage floor is not the most level thing you have ever seen...

 

Use up your falkens, and buy the R's after winter then.. you let the car sit all winter with R compound you might get flat spots I did.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Big Phat R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">RA-1s are good to go with anything you throw at them.

I've stored them improperly, run them backwards and basically beat the **** out of them - and they still come back with "is that all you got punk?".</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's exactly how I feel about the RA1.
It doesn't matter how many heat cycles it has, how frigid my unheated garage is, and the 3+ year age, the set I had gripped very well until the rubber ran out.

My suggestion is to get them now. Winter storage is not an issue at all.

 

Once again we're in the same situation Jonathan. I bought my RA1s before my last event and will have 3 events on them before winter storage. It looks like you won't have any issues storing them, I say go for it. The level of grip is going to shock you

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris93Si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Once again we're in the same situation Jonathan. I bought my RA1s before my last event and will have 3 events on them before winter storage. It looks like you won't have any issues storing them, I say go for it. The level of grip is going to shock you </TD></TR></TABLE>

Bizarre. It is hard to say no to the R compounds and delay my satisfaction...

 

Don't forget to heat cycle them before you use them. Just take them out on the highway at normal highway speeds for at least 15 miles, then take them off the car and let them sit for a couple of days. That's all you need to do, and it's the same thing that Tire Rack's machines do for you (but without having to pay an extra $15 per tire).

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris93Si &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The level of grip is going to shock you </TD></TR></TABLE>

Maybe, maybe not. The first time I used R compound tires, after using mostly OEM tires like the RE010, I didn't notice much of a difference. So I've been using them for a few years now. Recently I did a track event on my street tires, and when I went to turn in at the corners, the tires replied, "NFW!" I then realized that I now drive with braking and turn-in points that the R compounds are capable of. When I first started using them, I was driving with braking and turn-in points that the street tires I was used to were capable of. So yes, the R compound tires are definitely grippier. But it might not be so noticeable at first. At least, it wasn't for me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flux &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It is hard to .. delay my satisfaction... </TD></TR></TABLE>

They make pills for that

 

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

They make pills for that </TD></TR></TABLE>

I knew that was coming...