Spec3 Tires - Toyo RR

[arob]

They just confirmed that the Spec3 class will be running the new Toyo RRs. I hope (and pray) that they'll grandfather in the RA1s for at least a couple races. Doing EVERYTHING at once as far as prepping a race car from scratch ain't cheap.

I was jut reminded that I needed to buy a transponder. I'll be sleeping in the truck for a couple days.

[Dr K]

Toyo has such an awesome tire with the RA-1s (esp. for spec series, where a few 10s with a shorter-duration tire will be equalized) - why to they keep insisting on replacing it.

[Trak Ratt]

Toyo has such an awesome tire with the RA-1s (esp. for spec series, where a few 10s with a shorter-duration tire will be equalized) - why to they keep insisting on replacing it.Not a replacement for the RA1s! Only comes in 3 sizes and none have any real "tread." Looks more like a challenge to Hoosier R6 and A6 than RA1s. But still only in 3 sizes. Looks like they are really looking at them as a spec tyre.

[smdubovsky]

It is a (hoped) replacement for the RA1. Its just 'pre shaved'. Wonder why they didn't do it sooner.

Time (and competition) marchs on. If Toyo does keep their tire somewhat close performance wise to hoosiers/bfg/etc, then eventually one of those could provide a better tire for a spec series. There are two paths to financial success as a race tire manufacturer. 1) Make a tire faster than everyone else so users have no choice or 2) Get yourself locked into a spec series. Neither of those gigs however are guaranteed for life if you don't keep the R&D process going.

[Trak Ratt]

^ you have inside info? I checked their site and didn't see anything about replacing RA1s. Would be nice if they cam in 17" sizes as well. Pricing on the ones they have seems very competitive!

[Dr K]

If they're dramatically better the first 3-10 heat cycles (like HoHos), it takes the SPEC class that uses them off the table for me even if they're inexpensive. If I'm going to move to a SPEC series, it will be to save on consumables, esp. tires. Racing on RA-1s would allow 4 or more race weekends on a set of tires, a saving of >$3000 for 4 races!

In a class like SR-F, the winners are generally on new tires, but many out there are on older tires, and some use the almost-new cast-offs from the front runners (cheap!). Legends get several weekends out of a set of tires, although again, faster when brand new (but not tons faster). SPEC-Boxster using RA-1s is a definite possibility (2 sets for the season). SPEC-911 would be a consideration (RA-1s) but the allowed modifications to the cars are $$$, including carbon-fiber body panels (weight for a Carrera with 3.2 engine is 2350 lbs, 450 pounds lighter then my car runs currently) and significant engine changes allowed esp. for 3.0 and 2.7L engines). But nobody runs SPEC-911 anyway. SPEC-996 is another option (runs on R1 tires which last longer than HoHos, so long as you don't use the old formulation which JW did not enjoy at Mid-Ohio), and few in that class, too.

[Trak Ratt]

Pretty sure spec911 is PCA's way of wowing folk back from NASA.

Play the cards you have boy-o, you've worked hard enough to get them!

[Dr K]

Play the cards you have boy-o, you've worked hard enough to get them!

Well, I could play them more often if I didn't have to pay for so many tire$$ :(

[roundel]

Well, I could play them more often if I didn't have to pay for so many tire$$ :(

Racing is like sex. The last thing you should be doing is complaining about the cost of the rubber.

[BlackTalon]

...and thinking about how many times you can use the same rubber

[Rob in VA]

Not trying to derail this build thread much more, but I tried the new Toyo RR last year and it was easily 2+ seconds a lap quicker at VIR in my SE30. Durability is yet to be known.

[Potomac-Greg]

They just confirmed that the Spec3 class will be running the new Toyo RRs. I hope (and pray) that they'll grandfather in the RA1s for at least a couple races. Doing EVERYTHING at once as far as prepping a race car from scratch ain't cheap.

I was jut reminded that I needed to buy a transponder. I'll be sleeping in the truck for a couple days.

They're going to need a rain tire for the Spec 3. Maybe that will be the RA1?

[Dr K]

Not trying to derail this build thread much more...

The Mods seem to have split this off into its own thread. Thanks, Mods!

[arob]

They're going to need a rain tire for the Spec 3. Maybe that will be the RA1?

From what I've heard, the RA1 will be kept for rains.

[Potomac-Greg]

...and thinking about how many times you can use the same rubber

And if you judiciously flip them, they can be used twice as much.

[arob]

The Mods seem to have split this off into its own thread. Thanks, Mods!

Leave it to the good doctor to derail. LOL:roll:

[ausgeflippt951]

Racing is like sex. The last thing you should be doing is complaining about the cost of the rubber.

^ This just made my day.

[John Clay]

From what I've heard, the RA1 will be kept for rains.

Then who's to say they can't be used for the cost conscious? Who's to say when its going to start raining?

[HoodPin]

...... but I tried the new Toyo RR last year and it was easily 2+ seconds a lap quicker at VIR in my SE30......

That variance seems to be consistent with RA1 versus Hoosier R6.

[arob]

Then who's to say they can't be used for the cost conscious? Who's to say when its going to start raining?

Ding! ;)

[Dr K]

Well, I could run RA-1s in Stock E, too, but the point is to have an inexpensive SPEC tire so everyone is on an even footing, while not blowing $$$$ on tires.

[magnetic1]

Well, I could run RA-1s in Stock E, too, but the point is to have an inexpensive SPEC tire so everyone is on an even footing, while not blowing $$$$ on tires.

Disagree. I love it when people say, O, spec tires are soooo cheap.

That's only the case if you dont care about winning. Once everyone starts showing up w/ freshly shaved RA1s every race, it aint gonna be cheap no more.

[pjalexandre]

Toyo introduced and brought samples of the new Toyo RR to Nasa Nationals at Mid Ohio back in September.

As stated, limited sizes for now specifically geared for the Spec Classes that will run on it.

It is supposed to be an RA1 molded at 4/32 instead of 8/32. However changes to the belting were made to support the 4/32 mold.

The intention is for all Spec classes that use the RR to use an unshaved RA1 as their rain tire.

The new RR is supposed to be available in Spec Boxster sizes by late summer 2013.

FWIW: early testing is showing that they are slightly quicker than an identically shaved RA1. Not a ton quicker but enough to matter.

[Dr K]

Disagree. I love it when people say, O, spec tires are soooo cheap.

That's only the case if you dont care about winning. Once everyone starts showing up w/ freshly shaved RA1s every race, it aint gonna be cheap no more.Are freshly shaved RA-1s faster than well-worn RA-1s? Not my experience but I've only gone out on the shaved ones once.

Toyo RR...is supposed to be an RA1 molded at 4/32 instead of 8/32. However changes to the belting were made to support the 4/32 mold.

FWIW: early testing is showing that they are slightly quicker than an identically shaved RA1. Not a ton quicker but enough to matter.Maybe enough to matter to you, but until I get closer than the "middle third" anything less than half a second won't make much of a difference.

[smdubovsky]

Are freshly shaved RA-1s faster than well-worn RA-1s?

Yes.