I found them to be about six seconds slower around a track that takes me 2 min 18 sec. Some of that difference could be explained by different day, conditions, etc. But that would only be a second or two. Good friend of mine had same experience.

BTW, I usually run the Mich Pilot Cup Sport, great tire but not the optimal sizes for the 911.

 

Stephen, were your RA-1s shaved?

I've heard they trade a bit of wear for longer life than some of the other R compunds, but six seconds is pretty big difference. The other thing I have heard is they are much faster shaved over unshaved.

 

These were not shaved. Definately would be better shaved.

 

AIM Tire is the BEST place for RA-1s. Ron at AIM has been supplying NorCal racers for many years, and has the best prices for RA-1s AND the BEST service, no bull. We can spend our money anywhere, but we always spend it with Ron, because he's always there for us. http://www.aimtire.com

I've been racing on RA-1s for five years now in GTIs and RX-7s, and they are a great all around street/race/enduro tire. They rumble like snow tires, but they warm up quickly and stick way better than any street tire. Look for comparison tests for all hi-perf and R-compund tires in Grassroots Motorsports Magazine, from memory the slowest R-compound tire was still 1.5 sec faster than a Falken Azenis on an autocross course.

Shaving to 4/32" gives about 1+ sec per lap time quicker on a 3 mile track, but you would have to drive them back to back to notice much difference.

They also don't get 'heat cycled' like most R-compound tires.

I get 12 hours of track time per set on both cars, I think 10k miles on the street can be done.

I just wore out a set of A008RSIIs on my GTV6 after 12k miles...woulda been perfect, a shame they stopped making them and that the replacement A032Rs rides like knobbies.

 

Todd from Frisby here. Glad hear some of you have gone with us and with AIM. AIM is a partner store in NorCal. We have locations in Chicago and Las Vegas. 235/45-17 are tought to get at the moment. I got eight yesterday and sold 6. ($177ea, shave $15)

The Toyo's are the best compromise tire in the race world. Not as fast a Hoosier, but lasts 3-4 times longer. Gets faster the more worn they become and are very forgiving. If you want ultimate grip them get the new R3S04 from Hoosier. If you are doing track days, save your money and get the RA1. A shaved Toyo still out lasts a full skid Hoosier. Plus if you are in a bind you can drive to the track.

As for 6 second slower than a Pilot Sport, ...... better get them shaved and check air pressures. I could be a smart *** but I'll pass on that.

If anyone needs RA1's let me know. Other than AIM we are the main sources for the large size Toyo's . Most other places that sell them don't even shave. Remember we like Ron are Race Tire Dealers, there is a differnce.

 

We use RA-1s as well, quite happy at the track with them, they are about 1 to 1.2 second slower than same size A304 Hoosiers hower and about 0.3-0.5 slower than R304 Hoosiers in my experience.

Also, as a slight correction, RA-1s have a tread wear rating of 100, not 60.

 

I've seen different treadwear ratings. 3 years ago I had a set of 225/50-15s on my E30 and the treadwear was 40. The 235/40-17s I just picked up have a treadwear of 100. Either they changed the compound, changed the way it's measured, or different sizes have different ratings (which could be the compound).

Also, people have been throwing around life expectancy of RA1s shaved vs. not - does anyone with extensive experience have an answer on that front? I'm not too concerned with ultimate lap times, I just want maximum life.

 

In my own experience, shaving the Toyo's or other tires for that matter, reduces tire life by 20-30%, but I don't have hard data to prove or disprove that.

 

Okay, my bad. The Toyo website states a treadwear rating of 40. Perhaps that's the worst case wear for any given size. The set I just got in today from Frisby Tire are rated 100. Hell, that's not bad. What's the stock Advan rated at? 160?

 

Let clear this up now. Earlier this year we recieved the new batch of RA1's. I happened to notice the Treadwear had been changed from 40-100. Told the boss, he called the boss at Toyo and they said they didn't change anything in the tire. Our best guess is the tire lasts so long for an R compound that they just adjusted the wear rating. This is the same tire they have made since 1992.

FYI, those treadwear ratings are pretty abitrary to begin with. Take the Advan, I think it is a 180 but wears out almost as quickly as the RA1 with a softer treadwear. They are just guides, you can't really read anything exact into them.

 

Elaborate on" The same tire since 1992". The RA-1 has not any advancement in silica compounds or belt materials in 12 years?

 

T1-S has been around forever too..... im sure minor adjustments have been made?
-shahul

 

Well, as you can see, neither of us were wrong LOL; the wonderful world of tires.

tswift - thank you for clearing it up

 

I can't say whether small changes were made, but I guess Toyo is smart enough to follow the old saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." This isn't to say that Toyo doesn't have newer race tires. They do, but not for us. Only available in Japan and Asia.

This is the same with most of the other Tire manufactures as well. Our D.O.T. really makes it hard but I think the real reason is the liability. Some nut jobs out there will take a full race tire and use it for his everyday tire, then lawsuit.

So as for the RA1, it is not the fastest R compound, but it is most all around. I've sold these to guys who run rally cars in Europe and Mexico. Those events that are from England to Austraila and they need a tire mostly for tarmac but a little dirt. For the novice these are great because they are very forgiving, you won't find your sell snap whipped or have to worry about flatt spotting like the Hoosiers.

Hope that helps.

 

tswift

what tire presure should i run with the ra1?