I have a set of RE070's with about 700 miles on them, that came with the wheels I purchased. I'm thinking of selling them and getting some Toyo RA1's. I'm going to be participating in a number of track events this summer, so I'm trying to make a tire decision. Has anyone here run on both tires who might be able give me some feedback on your experience with the two? If not, is there anyone here who has just run on either the Potenza's or Toyo's at the track who can give me some feedback on how they held up. I've only driven the Potenza's on the street, so I don't really know how they're going to hold up at the track...plus if I move to the Toyo's I can get a wider tire. Thanks, Mike
I have run my STi on the RE070, my old road race car on RA1s and my Mustang on Falken RT-615s. The best option price dependant is the Falken by far. They provide good grip at a great price. The RA1s will provide the best grip but will cost more. The fact that you already have the RE070s tells me you should just run them. They are a good tire and provide adequate grip. I doubt you would be able to sell the RE070s for enough to buy another set of tires. I have seen most slightly used RE070s going for about 50.00-75.00 each. Assuming that you can't get more than that amount, I say burn up the stones at the first few events and when you need to, then decide between the best grip (RA1) or best price (RT-615). As to the longevity, the RA1 will have the shortest life span assuming the same driving style. It is probably a toss up between the Falken and the Bridgestone for tire wear. You need to realize that tire wear is much more dependent on driving style than the tire itself. If you want em to last, don't pitch it in there. If you want to have some sliding fun, prepare to buy more tires. This just comes from my experience.
Please tell me you're joking. Mark is someone that knows exactly what he is talking about, he's been racing cars longer than many of us on the board have been breathing, and he's been doing it on ice, pavement and gravel. Anyone who's competed (and won) on a national level in multiple events has earned the right to put up a very educated and informed post regarding what will work. I highly doubt that any of the rest of us could honestly say that they've tracked their car with each of those tires. In other words, if Mark is telling you something, it's because he's been there, done that and filled the trophy case. It'll be solid info, not someone talking out their arse.
No worries, I think what he was trying to say was that was his experience with them, your mileage may vary (so to speak).
mayhem, thanks for the tire insights. These confirm most of what I've heard from other sources...in one concise thread response. I'm not going to say price is an issue, because it is...but grip may be a bigger concern for me. I know that bimmerworld does sell tires (RA1's) with 1 heat cycle on them for a big discount over new. But, I must admit that there's also a competitive reason that I'm asking. With my other track mates going with R compounds this season, I hesitate to stay with something inferior (in grip) simply because I hate to loose (these are just HPDE events, but I'm sure most of you understand the need to win). I will also be upgrading the suspension quite substantially in the next month or so (RCE springs, sways and endlinks, front camber plates and Anti-Lift Kit), and think that a set of R compounds would compliment those changes nicely. I'll make a decision in the next few weeks...so keep an eye out in the For Sale threads if you're in the market for some tires in nearly-new condition. Thanks again.
If Al Unser, Bobby Rayhall, Richard Petty,Ricky Bobby,Mario Andretti,Dennis Anderson(Grave Digger), Danika Patrick,Paul Walker(from such films as Fastand the Furious I and 2,and Joy Ride), and the Michillen Man all told me that RE070's were better I would still take it as a opinion. Point is I was just joking.:eek3: I have beaten Gran Tourismo 1,2,3 that does not make me a expert at telling people what tires to buy.
Just an fyi, there is a guy on the mnautox board selling a new set of RA-1s, 235/45/17, for $600. http://forum.mnautox.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5400
Exactly, thanks Brian. I also didn't want to debate my opinions as they are just that, opinions. Sorry if I came off like a prick, it was not my intention.
If you want grip and are willing to pay for R compound tires, there are better options than the RA1. However, of all the R comp tires, I think you will have the best treadwear with the RA1. Tires are almost without exception a compromise. The faster the tire, the faster the treadwear. It also seems the faster the treadwear the more expensive the tire is in the first place. Where the hell is the logic in that?
I would trust anything Danica says, period. Then again, trusting women has gotten me into trouble before. I got tired of Danica fever too but she's still way hot and can kick my ass any time (please).
Danica Patrick..... Any girl that looks even remotely good, (she's FAR past that) and can drive as well as she does... Wow. Yeah. I use Peak antifreeze too, cuz when I peak I win. Sorry, I'm a lottle mor than slightly intoxicated.
I guess I missed where he told him what to buy, he just gave him some advice on some options based on his (considerable) past experience. Perhaps you took my post wrong? I wasn't digging on you, just saying that if Mark says something, there's experience behind it.
Lol! I know the guys who owns peak anti freeze and I made fun of him for his danica ad campaign. He says "It sells a hell of a lot of antifeeze" On topic: the RA-1 is only a track tire. Its a good HPDE track day tire but an awful street tire compared to a lot of others. I'd avoid them unless they were track only tires.
+1 to that. 70's are prolly the best tire out there for street and track. Since you already have the 70's I'd stick with those. If you want to sell them and Dream backs out I'll take'm.
Agreed! They would most likely be used as track only tires. Ever since a buddy ran his track ready 911 off the road near Afton due to the fact that he was running Pilot Cups on the street, I'd prefer not to run an R compound on the street. If I were to shave the RA1's down, they'd be even less streetable.
Was it raining? I could see the RA-1 or Pilot Cup being a bad choice for a daily driver due to marginal wet handling and excessive heat cycling. But I don't see why they would be "awful" street tires, per se, if you have another vehicle option for rainy days.
Maybe I'm being a bit obtuse, but what's the point of having a subaru if you're going to garage it when it rains?
It wasn't raining, but was 36 degrees out...the other downfall of an R compound. And, I refuse to garage my car for anything short of the apocalypse...
None of the listed tires will have any grip worth their weight when it is 36 degrees outside. That was simply someone looking to run their car off the road. I have driven 615s and 070s when it was ~45 degrees and couldn't believe the loss in grip...I wouldn't even drive agressively, AT ALL, below 40 with SUMMER tires on. My $49.95, anyway.
aaargh, I never said we should all run RA-1s and garage our Subarus when its cloudy. There were some blanket statements that R-comps are bad for the street. Obviously they don't make sense for a daily driven car for a lot of reasons. I guess in my mind "street" does not necessarily equal "daily driver." That's all. My only point was the guy didn't ditch his 911 because he was running R-comps, he ditched his car because he was running R-comps in near-freezing temps.
The worst part is that he had just purchased the car about a week earlier and the temps were relatively normal for that time of the season...until the one fateful night. I can assure you he wasn't aiming to run the car off the road...just got a little over excited with a new toy.
My point is that anyone trying to 'excercise' their new car, with SUMMER tires at near freezing temps, should expect to end up in the ditch, or against a telephone pole, or a 'bug' in some SUVs grill, etc..... I have no pity for that.
