[Enchanter]

I'm headed to the track in a few weeks and am looking into the Toyo RA1's. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to get these tires and am looking for someone with first hand experience with them.

I'm told that although they lack the initial outright traction of say the Hoosiers, they aren't as sensitive to heat cycling.

Anyone have any other info on the RA1'a?

Bueller....Bueller...anyone....?

[RyanC]

Originally Posted by Enchanter

I'm headed to the track in a few weeks and am looking into the Toyo RA1's. I'm pretty sure that I'm going to get these tires and am looking for someone with first hand experience with them.

I'm told that although they lack the initial outright traction of say the Hoosiers, they aren't as sensitive to heat cycling.

Anyone have any other info on the RA1'a?

Bueller....Bueller...anyone....?

They are great track tires. They are less grippy than the Hoosiers but they last forever, and don't lose grip after a certain number of heat cycles. In fact, they seem to get faster as they wear.

I got 22 days out of a set of RA-1s last season, and I started with them shaved to 4/32nds. 255/40 on the stock 05 STI wheel.

I would recommend starting with shaved tires if you can get them, as unshaved ones will tend to chunk on the sidewall, which will actually reduce the life of the tire.

From what I've run, RA-1s are the best value in a track tire. They also are very easy to drive on, as they provide feedback like a street tire, just with a lot more grip.

[DChan]

Agreed. They are a great track tire and very predictable. From what I hear, true slicks are an all or nothing tire while the RA-1's will slowly let go when you get them to the limits.

[seattle sti]

I have not run the RA1 myself, but from everything I hear from others is that they are a phenominal tire. The last forever and grip like a true slick. They are going to be the next tire I get, once they satisfy the national back order for the 255 40 17. Another great tire that I just ran, was Nitto NT01. Great tire. The only reason I am going away from that is that they do not have the 255 40 17 size.

[Enchanter]

Woo Hoo!

I called our local race tire supplier and they found me 4 255/40-17's!!! I will have them by Friday!

He did confirm that he called Toyo directly and was told that Toyo doesn't expect to ship any RA1's for 30-60 days.

[stretch]

RA1's really like heat. Make sure you heat up both the front and rear tires evenly because if you heat up the fronts prior to the rears (easy to do in a front-heavy car) you will get massive oversteer.

[smurfm3]

Originally Posted by RyanC

They are great track tires. They are less grippy than the Hoosiers but they last forever, and don't lose grip after a certain number of heat cycles. In fact, they seem to get faster as they wear.

I got 22 days out of a set of RA-1s last season, and I started with them shaved to 4/32nds. 255/40 on the stock 05 STI wheel.

I would recommend starting with shaved tires if you can get them, as unshaved ones will tend to chunk on the sidewall, which will actually reduce the life of the tire.

From what I've run, RA-1s are the best value in a track tire. They also are very easy to drive on, as they provide feedback like a street tire, just with a lot more grip.

22 track days?

How many track miles are you driving at these track days? I know RA-1's last a long time, but 22 track days is forever.

For a Spec Miata, a much lighter car, one set lasts about 4 dry race weekends shaved to 4/32nds. They are great tires and I would recommend them highly as a starter R-compound tire (or even the one you stick with for a while) after driving on the track with street tires for several events. Their sidewalls aren't as stiff as RE070's, but what you give up in steering response you get back (to a much greater degree) in total grip.

[RyanC]

Originally Posted by smurfm3

22 track days?

How many track miles are you driving at these track days? I know RA-1's last a long time, but 22 track days is forever.

For a Spec Miata, a much lighter car, one set lasts about 4 dry race weekends shaved to 4/32nds. They are great tires and I would recommend them highly as a starter R-compound tire (or even the one you stick with for a while) after driving on the track with street tires for several events. Their sidewalls aren't as stiff as RE070's, but what you give up in steering response you get back (to a much greater degree) in total grip.

4 20 minute sessions on average per event. I ran them down to the cords, too. I ran them at NHIS, which is brutal on tires and brakes, Watkins Glen, Le Circuit Mont Tremblant and Lime Rock.

I think they key to the longevity was flipping the tires on the rim halfway through the season, and rotating them front to rear after each couple sessions. I kept the wear even, and monitored pressures. I found that the tires were best around 40psi hot, which usually meant I started 32-34psi cold. I am a pretty smooth driver, which also helps. Oh, I did set two track records with the club on these, so I was driving moderately quick at at least a few of the events.

[kwlsti]

i'd say 6/32 is good for shaving. and toyo says that optimal is 41-44psi have fun with them