R-Compound Tire preference
 

I started autocrossing and tracking this year and I started on a relatively good street tire. (Bridgestone RE-01R) As I started, I asked people, "Why shouldn't rookies progress straight to R-Compounds?" The answer I got was that it's much harder to drive well on street tires than R-compounds; street tires being a better tire to learn on. R-compounds can hide a lot of driver mistakes.

That being said, near the end of the season, I started being able to place in the trophy positions on my street tires, my driving style has become much more relaxed, and I'm able to push the car harder, without overdriving the car. I spoke to a fellow racer and he said, if you're ready, there's nothing wrong with moving up to an R-Compound tire sooner than the three year recommendation.

Now, I'm looking for an R-compound that still gives good feedback to the driver when he does something wrong. I'm probably going to stay away from tires like the V710, A6/R6 or the R1. I was recommended to go with the new R888's, as they are closely related to the old RA-1. What do you guys think would be a good tire that meets what I'm looking for?

I like my RA-1s. They are definitely a step up from street tires, but they still give you a little warning before letting go. I had them shaved to 6/32nd's initially, but I know some folks (in Miatas) who have just run them full-tread.

If the R888's behave like the RA-1's, I would say that you can't really go wrong with this tire.

-b

I'd throw in the Nitto NT01, it's also related to the RA-1, but is slightly faster and doesn't need to be shaved for dry lapping. It's quickly becomming the new favorite tire among those who've tried them.

how's the feedback on the NT-01 as you approach the limit, or go over it?

Looks like Toyo offers their R888 in 205/50 and 225/50
Nitto offers their NT-01 in 225/45
Yokohama offers their A048 in 205/50 and 225/50
Michelin offers their Pilot Sport Cup in 205/50 and 225/50

I think those comprise of tires similar to the R888, I'm still lost as to which one would work well for what I need.

Toyo RA-1's
 

The class that I run requires Toyo RA-1's, and let me tell you on a racetrack unshaved the RA-1's are squirmy. I used Yokohama A048's last year and they were much firmer, but have been told they werent as fast.

Have you thought about the Victoracer?

I was thinking about the V710, but I don't know how good they are for driver feedback, which is the most important thing for me right now.

V710 has bitchin' feedback. Great tire.

I would suggest something along the lines of the Victoracer for your first r-compound. For AutoX, you can run the Victoracer full tread. It heats up pretty quick which makes it good for AutoX.

I don't know exactly what "feedback" you are expecting. R-compounds don't really screech and howl like street tires. However in general, r-compounds don't loose it as abruptly as a full racing slick in general.

I guess it would be which ones still screech and howl a little, like street tires?

You don't need audible feedback. If you are ready for an R-comp tire, I'd go all the way. The best feedback you will get will be the clock. This really is more of an economic decision, as most of the top R-compounds don't last as long as the semi-race tires (Toyos, Mich Comps, etc.). If you can afford them, get the real deal and start eliminating tire as a variable.

-Andy

+1 for V710s. I've run the V700, the V710 and the older Victoracer, and the V710 had the best feedback by far. You won't necessarily hear them, but you'll *feel* what they're doing much better than with the Victoracer or the V700. I don't have firsthand experience with the other brands mentioned.

The V710 is pretty good for wear as well. I got two full seasons out of a set of 215/40-16 V710s on my '02 Miata (which was somewhat unusually camber-challenged) and they still had life in them.

you think the V710 is a good R-Compound to start on? I just don't want a tire that doesn't communicate mistakes to me.

Any tire will communicate mistakes to you, it just a matter of limits. The only way you are going to understand the limits of r-comps is to run them. If you feel you've run enough that you have a good feel for driving a car at the limit, then go to the r-comps if it is something you can budget for. Just beware, the addiction grows... :-)

The 710's and A6's are the fastest tires. The 710's will probably last longer for you, and will be a better dual purpose autocross/track tire.

-Andy

+1 for 710s

Mine have 1/2 an autocross season and two track weekends on them, and are holding up very well. Feedback is through the feel of the tire rather than audible, but you will know when you've exceeded the acceptable slip angle.

Seems to me that the V710 is the way to go. Anyone else?

The sizes they come in are 205/50 and 225/50.....Should I take the better acceleration of the 205's, or the better contact patch of the 225's?

I did this last year. I autocrossed for most of the season on my Goodyear Eagle F1 streets and while I wasn't class competitive, I got a decent deal on used V-700s. So I moved up and used those until spring, when I got a great deal on a set of lightly used v710s.

The challenge IMO is the feedback. A well-worn R-comp will not have any tread and it will make no noise near the limit. I have had a couple slides/spins that truly caught me off-guard due to my inexperience. It turns out the v710s do make a little howling at the limit because of the longitudinal groove, where the v700s were dead silent because they were worn smooth. You have to drive based on seat-of-the-pants and car response, which of course isn't a huge jump as long as you're aware of it.

RE-01Rs are not slow tires. In fact you may not lose much time going to v700s or RA-1s. v710s will be noticeably faster though. The v710s will not hold up on track days like the 700s or RA-1s, but for autocross they're durable and very fast. Also worth noting, you can street drive short distances with the RA-1 or v700 when the road is DRY, but I wouldn't do that in 710s.

If you're interested, PM me and I know where you can get a set of 225/50R16 v710s in great shape for a great price. I'd buy them myself if my set wasn't holding up so well.

Dave

Thanks for the offer, but I'm looking for them in 225/50/15 =P

Just for clarification, the sizes above are 15 in, not 16 in.