I am looking into getting some Toyo RA-1's for the next autoX season. Any info you guys could give on these tires would be great, and espescially comparisons to the V700. Thanks guys!

 

Depends on what you want. Nobody nationally compeditive runs an RA-1, so that should tell you something. (unless something has changed I don't know about) If you're looking for decent grip and longer life than a V700, go with the RA-1. If you're looking to be really compeditive, go with the V700 (or a Hoosier). Ask a more specific question, and you'll probably get a better answer.

 

If you are using them for competition - get them shaved to 5/32nds and heat cycled.

Good tire.

 

I run them. They stick awsome and don't loose performnace as they get old. Give them a try.

Jay

 

It's possible they make a better track/driving school tire than an autocross tire. It may be that they give up a bit of untimate grip to, say a V700 and certainly a Hoosier, but last longer, and don't get heat-cycled to death. IIRC, Toyos are an outstanding choice for enduros for their consistency and longevity.

Matt - bought the more expensive Toyos and hopes to actually *save* money in the long run...

 

I flat spotted 2 v700s and had to buy 2 toyos.. They grip very well but the kumho is still better IMHO! I would go Kumho over toyo honestly!

 

I've run the RA1s for several years in enduros or started new drivers out with them if longer wear was a reasonable trade for a little less short term stick. Generally if I wanted to run at the front of the pack in a sprint race, then only the Hoosier was the way to go. Might think they would not get the bite and grip on an autocross course. The Toyos were a much more forgiving tire as they are less likely to flat spot if you spin or lock a wheel under braking. The Toyo wears like iron and has a good feel that is easy to drive near the edge in a drift.

By comparison, I hated the Kumhos and twice sold nearly new sets of Victoracers because I didn't like the feel vs. the old tried and true RA1. Once I took off and sold a three heat cycle set of Kumhos to put on the two year old set of RA1s. Yes the Toyos were a little slower but I felt that I could run them at the edge harder and longer than with the Kumhos which I felt I was always driving under potential because I didn't trust them at the limit. BTW, this was on a stiffly sprung, lightweight ITA CRX whereas most of the people who seem to love their Kumhos tend to be in heavier, softer spring cars that could pound the heavy Kumhos carcass harder.

Jusy my .02. The RA1 is not world beater but a solid, predictable tire that will last forever.


[Modified by CRX Lee, 4:03 AM 2/19/2003]

 

remember, he's asking about autox, not track use. i dont see anyone running RA-1, not that nobody does, but i would stick with kumho or hoosier for more sources of advice.

 

In the DOT race tire world, only Hoosier (that I am aware of) has an Autocross Spec tire compound. The AX spec tire needs less heat to stick where the road race tire will need some amount of heat in the tire for max stick.

I know of a guy that ran the AX spec Hoosiers on a road course and burned the tires up very quickly because of the extremely soft compound.

The question is then how do the Kumho and RA-1 compare to street tires in AX conditions??

 

i wouldn't see why anyone would use those in auto-x considering that you really don't have time to warm up those tires

 

actually yokohama is supposedly going to introduce a softer a032R compound, and have been offering softer compounds internationally for hteir various R tires that arent available in the US of A.

kumho's seem to hae their own loyal following in autox.

 

Both road racers would still be better than a street tire, unless it's 30* and wet or something.

 

I have gone through a few sets of RA1s in autocross use. Reason for getting them was the car had 2 and sometimes 3 drivers so we couldn't afford to go through v700s as fast as we were.

They kinda suck right out of the box if they are not shaved. They become decent about a third of the way through the tread, and only get better until you wear into the cord.

I forget the numbers as its been a couple years but they lasted almost twice as many runs as the V700 (just over 100 runs/pair of front tires).

On a typical 40 sec. autocross course, on a stock GSR, the Kumho was about a quarter to half second faster than a fully broken-in RA1.

I'd buy them again in the same circumstances, we beat the crap out of them and they lasted better than anything else. It would also be my first choice as a track day tire for non-competitive events.