[racer]

I'm looking for another set of R compound track tires. I currently run Victoracers, 225/50-16 and 245/45-16's. I am in the process of cording my left front. Right front will need replacement soon. Rears? eh.. maybe a 2-3 more DE days out of them, certainly not in the rain, though. Figured I would chew them all up at the autocross this weekend and then get new tires for Summit Point in June.

Checked out Tire Rack. Replacement Victoracers are $140/$160 F/R each.
They are also having a "special" on the A032R's (hard compound) - $150 each. (And yes, I know they are loud. and I have run them before and find them a bit less sticky than Khumos)

I would also consider the Toyo RA-1's, but don't know where to find them.

Don't want the new Khumos, 710's I think they are- waaayy too soft for me.

What "R" compounds are folks running these days? How do you like them and why? Do you drive to events on them as well? (I do).

[BobNovas]

Toyo Proxes RA-1's from Radial are similarly priced. 1 set lasts me a season- usually all the Potomac events. And I drive em to and from the track. I think they work great.

[Trak Ratt]

Originally Posted by BobNovas

Toyo Proxes RA-1's from Radial are similarly priced. 1 set lasts me a season- usually all the Potomac events. And I drive em to and from the track. I think they work great.

What he said and if you’re flush with cash get a second set. Have them shaved and keep the first set for rains. I understand from a fellow Dorki that the Hosier Dirt something-or-other also makes good rains. I use the very last set of AVS Intermediates as rains. They’ve lasted a long time, I seldom drive in the rain, but then I haven’t been out since VIR last year

[Spike]

I really like my RA-1's. Great for me at DE and I drive to work with
them too. Radial Tire carries them.

[Charlie Stylianos]

Great timing as I'm now seriously considering shrouding some 7&8's with RA-1's. My only concern is shelf life since I'm not going to be doing DE's nearly as often (maybe 2 a year). Is it reasonable to expect the RA-1's to last for 3-4 years w/o dry-rotting and be as effective in the years to come? Guessing Paul would be the person to ask, but thought I'd throw this out there. Just trying to decide what to do with my good fortune

Sorry Dave....no hijack intended.

[Lucky]

Charlie... I'm happy to "store" your new RA1s while you are away at school!!! I'll make sure they don't die from rot.

[Lucky]

Racer,

Guess I should do an on-topic post.

Vast majority of folks are running 1 of 2 choices: Hoosiers or Toyos. Toyo RA-1s are the budget choice since they cost a bit less to buy and last quite a bit longer (20 to 30 DE days easily if flipped & rotated). Hoosiers give you more grip but about 1/2 the useful life. RA-1s also make good rain tires until the last 25% of their life remains... then they turn into slicks.

There are several more choices (in addition to the Kumhos & Yokos you know about)... such as Michelin Pilot Sport Cups (good for heavier and higher power cars). Or rumor has it Toyo is adding an R compond version of the T1S (to be called the T1R), which should make a good choice if you drive a lot in the rain and/or want one set you can drive anywhere. The T1Ses have a very aggressive tread that works well in all weather.

Another choice is Avon. They have a track-only slick that is pretty affordable. Dave, aka }{arlequin, scrubbed a set of sticker Avons in at Mid-Ohio but since he hasn't heat cycled them a few times I doubt he is ready to tell us how they compare to Hoosiers.

No lack of choice in the marketplace... which is good for us consumers, but it does make it hard to decide! If you blaze a new path, let us know what you choose and how it works out.

[racer]

Avons and Hoosiers are not in the plan - cost and ease of abuse among the reasons. Same with the MPSC's. My exposure to them has also led me to believe they are not as quick to heat up and can tend to still have quite a bit of tread, but at the same time have no stick as they age.

I've run the Khumos for a few years and the Yokes for a few years before that. I thought the yokes would last longer, given that they have less stick... they did not, plus they cost more than the Victoracers.

As for an "R" Toyo, well, I'll let someone else try em out

Pehaps I am more "abusive" of tires than others out here. I get about 5 DE "days" and 4 autocrosses out the FRONTS and I go through the rears even quicker!

I do appreciate the suggestions though and am thinking of trying the Toyos next...

[Noah]

Apparently all the top SCCA guys are using these tires.

Less than half the price of RA-1's, too.

They're discussed in this Pelican thread.

[Spike]

I don't see the 16 inch sizes I need: 225 and 245 low profiles