Initial Impression of Nitto's NT-05
 

We were able to run 2 sessions this weekend's NASA AZ event on Nitto's new NT-05 tire.
Positioned as a "Max Performance" street tire, it is meant to bridge the gap between Nitto's 555 tire and the popular NT-01 DOT R compound.

We have been running Nitto NT-01's on our shop EVO 8 project car, and after hearing about the NT-05 we were able to get a set for testing.
Inital impressions of this tire.......VERY GOOD!
The first session on the tires was in a DE3 session to get a feel for them and double check the car... Tires came up to usuable temprature in 1/2-3/4 of a lap. Initial grip was great, with what seemed like "R Compound" levels.... Mid corner stability was good, and it was very easy to recover if a corner was overcooked and botched.
Next up was NASA TT session to get some lap times
Out of 5 times laps @ PIR's 1.51 mile course we ran 1:09.3, 1:09.5, and1:09.7...we had one 1:11 (lap traffic) and one lap was a wash due to tire pressure check

By comparison we ran a 1:08 falt at out last local NASA AZ Time Attack in November ( also @ PIR) after Superlap battle on NT-01s......
only 1.3 seconds off of R compounds !!!!!!!

We will be running a day if not the full weekend of TT sessions in 2 weeks again @ PIR where we can better evaluate the tires performance over the course of the day.



pics of tires before mounting.... I was too busy to get shots of them on the car (we do tech for NASA AZ)

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...s/DSC00309.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...s/DSC00310.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...s/DSC00311.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...s/DSC00312.jpg

Nice review. Be sure to update your first post when you get some more seat time on these tires.

Any idea on pricing?

-Jalal

Very nice review Tony! I hope to see you at the next event!


Evan Smith

be there on Jan 31st !

Any review follow ups?

Would like to know myself, thinking of pulling the trigger on 255/40s