Toyo RA-1 Tires
 

Are these tires suitable for autoxing or strictly for road racing? Who autox with these tires? Also what tire do you use to autox with? I have been doing some research on autox tires for my FB and I am stumped on the positive potential of the Toyo RA-1 tires. I was told by Edgeracing.com that these tires take a while to heat up for autoxing. I would like to purchase some 13x8 Diamond racing rims and go with a 225/50 R13 Hoosiers A6 tire but it doesn't fit in my budget at the moment. So now I am left with the Toyo RA-1 because of the 205/60 R13 size that can fit on the stock alloy rims on the FB. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You can autox with them, but they are not the stickiest tires out there. I'd look at the kumho V710s, They come in 215/45/13s and I've had them on a set of stock wheels I think. The RA1s are more of a road race tires and they don't grip as well and they take a while to heat up...

they won't win the nationals but you can autocross with them, and they last for a long time. i was in a modified GT3 last event that had them and it stuck like glue. 335's in the back help i'm sure ;) he says they are about 1.5 seconds behind a hoosier A.

Unless you shave the Toyo, the tread is VERY squirmy, and takes most of one run to heat up. Then it cools quickly enough to need a re-warm on the next run. The 60 series sidewall will make it even more mushy, as the Toyo isn't a very stiff tire to begin with.

Like Zyrano said, my preferred tire is a Kumho V710, although Hoosier just came out with a 275-wide 15" (probably the next big tire for CSP).

It may also help to know your experience level.

They are better a good bit better than a street tire, but like everyone stated they definately are not top of the class in AutoX tires. Vitoracers are probably a better AutoX tires for around the same price. The 710s seem to run almost as much as the Hoosiers, but man are they good.

As or lasting I used them last year because I didn't want to buy a set for AutoX and Track days and I'm still using them for track days, probably heat cycled out, but they will last forever 6+AutoX's and 7-8 track days(our local track is amazingly easy on tires).

I have been autoxing for approximately 2 years. Yes I still have a lot to learn but I know for a fact that spinning when I give it throttle is not really helping out my cause. No I am not looking to be a national competitor just good enough to have better times at the next Porsche club autox. Yes I have a personal vendetta against these pricks. Now I am ready to upgrade to some worthy tires for autoxing. Found out that all seasons can get greasier than fatty meat. I am also thinking of running some club racing events and time trials. I guess I am looking for a good dual purpose tire.

I would suggest that you run what you have and save your $$$ until you can buy the tires you WANT rather than settling for lesser tires now, even if that means waiting months to find the right set of wheels, too.

A couple of my CSP and DSP friends are running 13x7.5s with 215/50/13 Kumho 710s, or 225/13 Hoosier wants a 13x8. At that point you need to consider the wheel/tire weight differences versus the grip.

The ra1s are nice and they will last a long time but you may find some better deals on equivalent tires. Sometimes you're better off finding a deal on tires first and then making the wheels work with whatever tire you find that meets your intended use.

For local auto crosses and some lapping days/time trial I personally wouldn't waste my money on Hoosiers or any other slick unless they were on sale or I was getting a deal on some used ones.

Consider looking at some Hankook Z211s which are discontinued and on sale. I just bought 8 of these for 125 each (275 40 17s) which is a damn good price and they are as good or better than the Toyos.

Another note on the 'Kooks - if you run time trials or other track competition, they have a VERY GOOD contingency program.

I am racing my Miata in CSP with 205/50/16 Kumho V710.

Another competitor is racing a Miata in CSP with Toyo RA1 (similar size, possibly larger width)

I can consistently beat him by 0.5 - 1.0 seconds.

At an event last month we drove each others cars.
I was amazed at his car's lack of grip (and how he could drive that car as fast as he does) and he was amazed at my car's abundant grip.

If drivers and cars are equal, the car on RA1's will lose.

RA-1 are used in most 20 lap sprint races.... which tells you they last a while, and have decent grip.

710s are the best tires i have autox on ( CSP rx3 ive ran ra1s a6s R6s)

for CHEAP you should look into getting a 15in wheel and getting the new Falken 615s they are a tire that are hard to beat for the price.

Hey thanks for the replies. I think that I will go with the RA-1 tires until after Christmas and then I might invest in the 710's. Plus I am looking for another FB so the extra performance tires will come in handy.

^BTW the new Nitto R comp tires are the same compound as RA-1s and I've heard they don't need to be shaved due to the larger tread blocks, so they should last longer if you want to try them. Price should be similar

I race on RA-1s. I like them for longevity, but they do take a bit to come up to temp, and that's not so good in Auto-X. I'd agree with the Kumho suggestion, and I'd be surprised if the Kumho's cost more than shaved RA-1s do.

PaulC

I picked up a set of used RA-1's and they are pretty good. They are pretty much slicks now but they stick like glue after my first run. I just want them to last this season and then I will switch to a different tire.

ao a kumho is the best street/track tyres

Fritz, do they still stock these tires? I tried the www.frisbyracetire.com site but they don't list any 17" sizes being available. Is there another vendor that may still have them?