RA-1's as rain tires?
 

Looks like rain this weekend... so I need to decide which wheels/tires to use at the track. Since I'm driving the car there, I'll be stuck with whatever I leave home with on the car.

My RA-1s began as full tread and only have 5 track days on them so they still have plenty of tread depth. Other choice is to use my street tires -- Cooper Zeon 2XS... great all around performance street tire.

I love the RA-1s, but I've never driven them at the limit in the wet. Are they a decently grippy, predictable rain tire?

John,
With full, or close to full, tread they are a great rain tire. I run 255/17 RA1s as my dry setup - they start shaved, and get better when the tread is gone. I run 245/16 RA1s with full tread as my rain setup.

Great rain tyre with tread and as Tony says, ain't half bad as a dry tyre. I ran a set on my 88 Targa for something like 11,000 street and track miles before I got my little come along trailer. For HPDC just don't get too worked up, this is not DE and my suggestion is to use what you would normally use on the street.These are good excersises, skid pad, with some track time.A very good learning experience, so don't get worked up about your set up or tyres.Gather there may be quite a bit of rain including driving there and back so tread would be a good thing to have.
Unfortunately I have had to cancel as an instructor due to pressure of work this weekend.
Dirk

Dirk,
John is doing the NASA HPDE on Summit main.

RA-1's in the rain
 

Many people use RA-1's as rain tires, but remember that the tread pattern is directional when being used in wet conditions. Per Paul at Radial Tire they can be rotated side to side (counter-rotation) in the dry to even out tire wear, but must be in the proper orientation for rain use.

I guess Dirk forgot how "unsettling" my driving was back in April as I was slowly learning the line around VIR -- I think his exact words were "your line is getting a little hairy!" as he jumped out of my car. Hopefully I'll have Dirk in the right seat again, someday,... he's both excellent and patient!! And I'm a little smoother now.

Back to the subject at hand... I appreciate the replies. I didn't want to get out on a wet track and find out the RA-1s were like sneakers on an ice rink. Sounds like they are good in the rain and that's all I needed to hear.

And, Eric S, you make an excellent point. I was actually about to get my tires flipped around to even out wear... but I'll wait, now!

Tony... are you still on for the SuperCup race this weekend? From the looks of the schedule, I should have a fair amount of downtime between runs so I'll find you and see if there is anything I can assist with. I'll also probably run over to the JC for a few minutes in the afternoon (on Saturday) to see how a co-worker of mine is fairing in his first track experience. Hope to see you this weekend.

In the dry you can and are recommended to switch them side to side to even wear.In the wet they must be directional as Eric said. However, at any time you can flip them on the rims, this will keep them directional but also do a very good job of evening out the wear. Most street based/driven cars can not get enough negative camber in the front to get even wear so the outside shoulders get worn down way before the inside.
Thanks for the kind words John, pity I did not have my tape running when I did 3 loop de loops coming down the hill toward Oak tree at VIR last weekend :oops:
Dirk

Good to hear your tires are sorted, John.

See you on Saturday. The 944 Cup Ghetto is located opposite the tech shed, with the renowned Love Shack at the center. Most days the series serves a great lunch, so stick around - as crew, you qualify for some 944 Luuuve.

RA1's cold tire pressure
 

I am new to Toyo's. I am trying on an 88 carrera. They are shaved and I have some suspension work done as well as a 3.6 conversion. I am wondering about the cold tire pressure, and after reading this thread, I learned you can swap side to side and you should? Please set me straight...I am on my way to SP for the weekend...

Switch side to side in the dry, if shaved and there is tread left must go directional in the wet. Tyre pressure dry will vary with ambient temp, track temp but finish at 40 all around hot. This will probably start you off at approx 34 to 36 front and with the 3.6 maybe a little less in the rear. Depends how hard you run the car as well. If it starts to feel slidey, come in and check your pressure in the "hot pit lane"
Dirk