I'm looking for a set of 225/45R15 semi slick preferrably to toss on my car before August 23rd. I'm not looking for new, just something to get me through one track day and be able to drive it to and from the track. Buying new isn't an option unless someone wants to rent one out for me for a day .

 

http://www.casc.on.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=17466

http://www.casc.on.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=17396

Check the forum where those posts are regularly!

 

I keep on forgetting about that forum ... definatly need to sign up. Thanks! If anybody else has something let me know

I just wish that set of 3 r888 was 4

 

http://www.jbracingtires.net/

With your short time line, you will take your chances with what he has in stock, but he's probably the largest used race tire dealer in North America. Probably 2/3rds of the field down here that run slicks all buy our tires from him. I think I pay about $70-$80 a tire for slicks with a heat cycle or two on them. (All of the DOT guys buy new sticker tires.)

From my experience, call them. If you email them, half the time they just respond with "yeah, we can do that... call us at..." so you might as well skip that step.

 

now what do you guys think would be the effect of having 2 different tires on the track? I'm looking at a pair of r888 to mount on the front and RA1 to mount in the rear, both will be 225/50.

 

The compounds of the RA1 and R888 are identical, so I was told at Sebring by a Toyo engineer, it's just the tread patterns, and some construction variations. I don't see there being a problem with mixing as long as the fronts and rears are each identical pairs.

 

They will be identical pairs. Do you think that order (r888 front and ra1 back) is good or do you think that doing it the other way around would be better?

My thoughts on doing the r888 on the front is because of the shoulder area being not as threaded and hopefully giving me more grip in the front so that the car wouldn't understeer and also for having that full center line not cut up should help reduce the braking distance too.

The ra1's in the rear, just from hearing that they're easy to control at the limit thought would help me steer with the throttle easier.

 

The RA1 and the R888 are very different tires. Personally I'd be very cautious mixing them. I'm not saying it won't work, but I'd be cautious.

 

Ha ha ha... sorry had to.

 

Good advice....take it Sam Call Jeff at Tirecraft, he always has good used track tires in stock 905 760 1130

 

Not all that different...

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...highlight=r888

"Perhaps it is a byproduct of the new carcass design, as I was told by a Toyo engineer it is exactly the same rubber compound as the RA1/NT01"

They are not the same tire but there are similarities. For optimal performance, car feedback, and safety it is always best to use four of the same tires. And yes Jeff at Tirecraft is a great person to contact. He also occasionally posts tire sale threads on the CASC forum fyi.

 

I've tried calling Jeff yesterday actually but no response, I'll try calling later on today.

 

Just to confirm, the R888 and the RA1 are very different tires. I have both types and when I was buying the R888's it turns out they like completely different pressures 35 lbs versus 40, completely different tire temps 180 to 210 versus 200 to 230 and the compound is a lot faster wearing. I know of teams that used to run RA1's and they would last at least 3 weekends on the tires and get faster until they were corded.

The R888's last about 90 minutes on a top level touring car. The performance drops off about 2 seconds a lap after 3 heat cycles (if you can get 3) and once the tread disappears you have about 15 minutes of track time left.

The R888's perform like a poor Hoosier. They do make Toyo a lot more money and cost the racers a lot more money.

For a lapping guy or a regional racer, I would recommend the RA1's strongly. They wear like iron for an "R" compound tire, they give good grip until they are corded and can go through about 400 heat cycles before they turn to stone.

Eric

 

Yes, the RA1's are a more forgiving and economical tire to the beginner or regular lapper.

 

well called tirecraft, didn't talk to Jeff but another guy he said nothing in stock for used tires, just new R888.

 

Just this past Saturday The Toronto Star Wheels section had a good article on the R888's:

http://www.wheels.ca/newsFeatures/article/781386

You have to look at the answers and feedback in this thread and remember a few things. Every driver is different, no two are 100% alike. Most peoples experience and application of their hobby is different. For instance Eric races in the top touring car series in Canada in a front wheel drive car, Jim participates regularly in lapping days at various venues, etc. How you drive, what you drive, and to what level you are comfortable pushing will then make your choice, and the differences more clear, more definitive. For someone who does modest lapping 2-3 times a year and not typically at MIS and largely concentrates on autocross i.e WOSCA you won't likely be reaching the limits of either the RA1 or R888 and therefore see few differences.

 

Are you kidding, I practically have to twist his arm to go to an Autocross (there's one on the 23rd in Sarnia, not sure if I'll be back in time to make it though). Ever since he got his feet wet at Cayuga he's been Mr. Bigshot Racer. :P Won't go near a cone. Of course he doesn't mind offroading.

 

LOL ... Maybe if you hit the track you might not go back to autocross :P. And I do fall into the few lapping days a year at the track and I'm sure anything is better than the all season that I have.

After much thought and about 1200$ later, I just bought a new set of r888. 225/45/15. I was also afraid of the 225/50 perhaps rubbing on the fenders as the wheels will be sticking past the fender line by about 1". The jump from 195 width to 225 alone should net me some better results.

Look out Jim, I might finally have a catch can bottle so I don't get the track slippery for you .