Toss R888R tires or use as rain/backup?
 

I figure that most people who see this thread are already aware of the failures of R888R tires at last year's PorscheFest DE. If you are not familiar with that story and want to get caught up, search the terms "R888R fail" and you should come up with a thread about 2017 PorscheFest. Make your way to post #63 and you'll find the first remark about the R888R's. I chimed in with post #99.

I own a set of R888R's of the same exact sizes and manufacture dates as the tires that failed. I've been told by a reliable source that the failures may be due to running at pressures too low, and that if I go out on the track at pressures at or above 32 psi that I should be OK. I've been in the habit of going out at pressures closer to 27-28 and seeing them get up to around 37-38.

Regardless, I've pretty much come to the decision that I don't want to go on the track with these tires, and I plan to buy a set of NT01's before my first DE of the year, which I expect to be WG. I've had NT01's before and was pretty happy with them. I know that various things can go wrong with a car on the track, and I try to be thorough with maintenance and keeping an eye on things. However, I just don't want to be on the track with extra concerns about my tires. Probably not worth the $1200 I'll pay for the Nittos.

So, what to do with my R888R's? I could just bring them somewhere for proper disposal. Or, I can use them for backup/rain tires.

I have two sets of rims. I will put the new NT01's on the rims that currently have the R888R's. The other set of rims has a set of Yoko Advan Neova AD08r's, which I bought just last year. I use the Yokos for street driving, and I would take them to the track as backups or for possible use in rain.

Is there any point in taking the Yoko's off their rims for the summer, replacing them with the R888R's, and using the R888R's for street driving, autox, and backup track tires for the summer? I would probably want to put the Yokos back on the car in the fall. This will cost some $$$ in mounting/balancing fees. Is there any advantage to this?

Cheers,
Mark

Mark, I'll buy your triple 8s. I have the same ones and ran them to the bars with no problem. I start out around 25-26 to get to the mid 30s. PM me if you're interested.
Thanks,
Holder

Sell 'em off, or slap them on another set of wheels and use them as "rollers".

I’d rate R888s as the worst tire I’ve used in the 20+ years I’ve been playing at the track. I’d suggest hanging them on a speed camera, adding some gas and lighting them on fire.

The Michelin Sport Cup 2 set I am running are amazing. Better grip that NT01 or RA1 in a real Street tire. Totally comfy on the street after blazing in the track. And mine are wearing like Iron. I got a whole season on them and they barely look worn! YMMV.