Hey guys,

At the moment, I am running 275/35/18 NT-01's and have been very happy, Im on my 2nd set of them in this size. But in the quest to save as many points as possible for NASA TT, I have to add a point for tire size (going over 265). What are your thoughts on how the NT-01's compare to the Toyo R888's? I seen the R888's are now available in 265/35, which would be ideal to keep me within the 100 treadwear and 265 size range w/o adding points.

Please let me know your thoughts, especially if you have direct experience with both tires. Anything will help, I haven't read much on the R888's.

Thanks all,
-Ryan

 

Well I have no experience only what I have read and heard. I have heard from one member on here that is well known to heavily track his modded evo and he said they get greasy after a couple laps then slowly go down. IIRC the factor NSX runs those and that cars kicks major *** but then again its a time attack car and only runs 2-3 laps at a time.

 

What class have you been competing in? How are you not taking points for tires? NT01's are a +5 if youre running them given the size of your base class.

 

265s are the base class tire size for ttb.

He's been taking one point for size (275), and wants to take no points for size (265). Compound doesn't matter, still +5 (til we someday get the 08 rules.)

On the main subject, never run the 888's. Ran through a lot of sets of ra-1s though, and the nittos have just a slight edge, imo.

 

Brian, i think i know what the base tire size is for TTB. The way he described it was a bit misleading. Unlike you, i prefer it when others elaborate on their own thoughts, if you know what i mean. All jokes set aside, many people mix up the rules. So i didnt want to assume something, if he had actually misunderstood it. Just looking out for the guy.

As far as the 08 rules, i wish there was a faster, and more efficient process. Unlike some people, i dont have the luxury to sit around and wait. I dont have endless resources who are on-call at my disposal, who can make changes to my car on the fly, at the drop of a hat. I understand that its a serious matter, and it requires some strict process. Thats fine, i just wish they could sort it out a bit sooner.

 

Oops sorry for not clarifying, Ill be running TT-A. I already took into consideration the +5 for the NT-01's. And with the R888's being the same treadwear (100), it would be nice not to add an extra point for size if the tires are relatively comparable.

Thanks for the responses so far.

-Ryan

 

you're tellin me..... less than a month til first event!!

 

Was just making sure that you didnt make a mistake. What region are you running in? And, did you run TTA in 07?

 

Ill be running in the Midwest region. This will be my first year running NASA TT. Should be pretty tough considering all the Z06's around here....but I had a pretty good 25 min battle at R/A with one of the MFBA instructors in his TT-A Z06, that was a good preview.

Anyways, anyone with any experience with the R888? It would be really convenient to use the 265 and save a point...

-Ryan

 

Well I don't have experience with them on an Evo, but I do have experience with them vs. NT01s on a 350Z and I like the R888s a lot more. As far as them getting greasy after a few laps, I didn't find that true at all. I just ran them at an HPDE last weekend on a full interior street driven (probably 3,500 lbs. w/driver) 350Z for full, hard 30 minute sessions at the Cal Speedway ROVAL and didn't notice them getting greasy at all. The only time they got greasy is when the car went out two run groups in a row and after probably 45 min. of hard driving they got greasy and started to fall off slowly. I have tried NT01s, RA1s, Pilot Sport Cups, Corsas, A048s, and these crappy Dunlop R-Compound things and the R888s are my favorite so far.

 

Thank you for the response! Sounds like they are pretty comparable to the NT-01 etc.... Have you driven on Hoosier R6 at all? If so how do they compare to those? I'd personally say the NT-01's are about 6.5/10ths of what the R6's are from my experience. Just weighing all the options. Also, hope your review reply wasn't to biased towards your sponsor

-Ryan

 

Yeah I have run the R6 as well, but in my opinion those two tires are not comparable. The R6s have much better grip and we usually see about 2-4 seconds between an "R-compound" like the NTO1s and R888s and a "DOT Slick" like the Hoosier R6 depending on the track. The treadwear on a Hoosier is 40 compared to the Toyo/Nitto which is 100 so grip and lifespan are not in the same class. And no my opinion is not biased towards Toyo because of sponsorship, but a valid concern nonetheless. Although the US branches are more or less competitive with each other, Toyo and Nitto are owned by the same company.

 

Ok thanks for your insight. Do you know of a Toyo supplier? I have a hard time finding these tires online anywhere. Im looking for 265/35/18.

Thanks,
-Ryan

 

1010tires.com has them, but I have no experience with them. They also aren't listing the 265 on their site, but I am sure if you call they can get them for you. Other than that, I would say to call Toyo and ask where a supplier is nearest you. Or try the dealer locater on their website...

http://www.toyo.com/docs/findadealer.asp

Evasive Motorsports runs them on their time attack Evo as well so they also might be able to get them for you, but I am not sure. They don't list tires on their website either.

 

Thanks for the links, Ill check some places out.