Road Racing / Autocross & Time Attack Road Racing / AUTOX, HPDE, Time Attack

Toyo RA1's going back in production?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 12, 2009 | 08:06 AM
  #1  
577HondaPrelude's Avatar
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,448
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown, wv, usa
Default Toyo RA1's going back in production?

http://www.scca.com/newsarticle.aspx?hub=1&news=3661" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TOPEKA, Kan. (June 11, 2009) – Sports Car Club of America announced today that the National Club Racing Spec Miata class will transition to the Toyo RA-1 tire in the 2010 season.

The class ran on the RA-1 tire from 2006 to 2008, but switched to the newer Proxes R888 tire for 2009. After receiving input from the Spec Miata racing community, both Toyo and SCCA management agreed that a change back was warranted.

“We received considerable input on the subject of Spec Miata tires this year and that input was taken very seriously by both SCCA and Toyo,” SCCA VP of Club Racing Terry Ozment said. “Toyo has been very receptive to this and will begin production of the RA-1 again for next year’s season.”

The complete transition process to the RA-1 will be determined and announced after the 2009 National Championship Runoffs®.
......very interesting......
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2009 | 08:30 AM
  #2  
*Boostwerks*'s Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 9,455
Likes: 3
From: I heart tool, US
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

in other words...

1. Why change a good thing
2. The R888s suck
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2009 | 11:32 AM
  #3  
Wai's Avatar
Wai
ProFunction/GT Motoring
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 0
From: IL
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

Hmm interesting info.
I wonder what the major complains were about the R888 from the SM guys. Maybe longevity?
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2009 | 12:44 PM
  #4  
RandomFocus's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: los angeles, ca, usa
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

prolly the peaky grip nature of the R888, and the difference in breakaway characteristics from the RA1.
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2009 | 12:51 PM
  #5  
prkiller's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,596
Likes: 0
From: Between Willow, and Button Willow, CA, USA
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

Looks to me that they are only talking about Spec Miata!
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2009 | 01:05 PM
  #6  
RandomFocus's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: los angeles, ca, usa
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

^is HC gunna stick with the R888?
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2009 | 01:29 PM
  #7  
slammed_93_hatch's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 13,483
Likes: 0
From: cali
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

Originally Posted by RandomFocus
^is HC gunna stick with the R888?
HC is ra1 or R888 this year.

And i tried to look up the press release that talked about Toyo originally becoming the spec tire, but i can't find it as the archives don't go back that far.

But it was annouced in 06 that in 07 the spec tire would start and would last 3 years. Well this is the end of the 3rd year.

I hope that if we stay on a spec tire it is one of a few things

a.) sold to us (the racers) at a significantly reduced price

b.) the contingency is better.

Along with the spec tire being consistent and not wearing extremely quickly.
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2009 | 01:53 PM
  #8  
JohnW's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,043
Likes: 0
From: Bethlehem, PA
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

Originally Posted by 577HondaPrelude



......very interesting......
LOL, what a joke Toyo is...
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2009 | 02:03 PM
  #9  
rkcarguy's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Failingham
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

I like the RA-1 personally, happy to see it.
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2009 | 02:22 PM
  #10  
RandomFocus's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: los angeles, ca, usa
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

i knew alot of spec series were suppose to switch from RA1 to R888, but i dont know exactly what series
Reply
Old Jun 12, 2009 | 11:53 PM
  #11  
dirty19's Avatar
Ridin Dirty in Cali
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,300
Likes: 16
From: Kuna Idaho
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

well **** someone make up their mind! R888 or RA1. the sooner the better.
HC make the correct move!
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2009 | 01:32 AM
  #12  
kulo's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 0
From: suffolk
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

we have r888 in the uk no RA1
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2009 | 05:12 AM
  #13  
Lo-Buck EF's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,805
Likes: 1
From: building H2 cars, NY
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

Originally Posted by *Boostwerks*
in other words...

1. Why change a good thing
2. The R888s suck
basically.....
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2009 | 07:01 AM
  #14  
JW racing's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 0
From: Lake Elsinore, CA, USA
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

What a joke this tire thing is becoming.

On the plus side, the SM guys,944 guys and most HC racers are actually agreeing on something for once...
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 08:15 AM
  #15  
dirty19's Avatar
Ridin Dirty in Cali
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,300
Likes: 16
From: Kuna Idaho
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

Any updates to this from HC?

I'd like to buy a set of something very soon, but would rather buy something that is going to able to be used instead of something that is going to be removed from service.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 08:28 AM
  #16  
smokin rubber's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta, GA
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

unfortunately HC does not make the decisions, NASA does
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 08:55 AM
  #17  
dirty19's Avatar
Ridin Dirty in Cali
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,300
Likes: 16
From: Kuna Idaho
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

Ok let me rephrase the question...

Is Nasa going to make a decision on this any time soon?
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 09:18 AM
  #18  
slammed_93_hatch's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 13,483
Likes: 0
From: cali
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

Originally Posted by dirty19
Ok let me rephrase the question...

Is Nasa going to make a decision on this any time soon?
i doubt any work on it is being done until after nationals.


Ryan F., Jerry K., and other national people are pretty dang busy with nationals.


As i said above i am 99% sure that this is the last year of the 3 year contract NASA and toyo have.

It is pretty clear that NASA isn't happy with the R888, hence them allowing the RA1 this year. And since the Ra1 isn't coming back, it seems doubtful that they would re-new the contract with toyo and the R888.

but then the issue is what other tire could they go with?

There isn't a lot of good options, besides Hoosier and kuhmo, the Nitto, BFG, Advan, Goodyear don't come in a wide enough range of tires.

This is speaking to a tire manufacture that would get the contract for HC, SM, AI, CMC.

You need tires from 13" to 18" or even 19"
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 09:36 AM
  #19  
kulo's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,776
Likes: 0
From: suffolk
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

hankook rs2 a good tire?
cheap than falken azenis
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 09:39 AM
  #20  
slammed_93_hatch's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 13,483
Likes: 0
From: cali
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

Originally Posted by kulo
hankook rs2 a good tire?
cheap than falken azenis
not an R compound though

And in Europe you guys get 2 different R888's

The GG which is the harder slower tire, and the ones we get in the states.

And then a GS (i think) compound which is a softer faster tire, and we don't get it in the states.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 09:42 AM
  #21  
dirty19's Avatar
Ridin Dirty in Cali
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,300
Likes: 16
From: Kuna Idaho
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

Hmmmm... So since its not likely that I will be actually competing this year I should hold off ,and wait till after nationals to see whats going to be the next spec tire?

I have Azenis on the car right now for HPDE's
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 11:21 AM
  #22  
slammed_93_hatch's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 13,483
Likes: 0
From: cali
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

Originally Posted by dirty19
Hmmmm... So since its not likely that I will be actually competing this year I should hold off ,and wait till after nationals to see whats going to be the next spec tire?

I have Azenis on the car right now for HPDE's
seriously i'd pick up some used Ra1's and run on those for HPDEs just so you get used to a R compound, it is a bit different then a falken.

You should be able to pick some up for $30 to $70 a tire.

If you have money sitting around for tires, put it aside and save it until just before your first race.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 12:03 PM
  #23  
dirty19's Avatar
Ridin Dirty in Cali
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,300
Likes: 16
From: Kuna Idaho
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

Tell me where i can get some for that price Jimmy!
I can run both, and your right.. getting used to a spec tire is the better idea
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 12:55 PM
  #24  
slammed_93_hatch's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 13,483
Likes: 0
From: cali
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

Originally Posted by dirty19
Tell me where i can get some for that price Jimmy!
I can run both, and your right.. getting used to a spec tire is the better idea
Search the classifieds at improvedtouring and roadraceautox


Also talk to Ron with AIM i am pretty sure he sells take offs.

Also check specmiataclassified (i think that is it) as miata guys sell take offs all the time.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2009 | 02:20 PM
  #25  
Austin's Avatar
Honda-Tech Member
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,276
Likes: 0
From: Sears Point, CA
Default Re: Toyo RA1's going back in production?

Originally Posted by dirty19
Tell me where i can get some for that price Jimmy!
I can run both, and your right.. getting used to a spec tire is the better idea
I also have ~6 205-50/15 RA-1's sitting at my house, but their tread depth varies a bit. I have them sitting in bags since I moved to 225/45/15.
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:12 PM.