You work for toyo, huh? Interesting... Any inside word on:

A) how the R888 compares with the NT01 (pretty similar, I'd think)?
B) how it compares to a Yoko V710 at an autocross (I'd expect it would need more heat in it, and hence be a bit slower)?
C) more upcoming sizes (I'm looking for 275 and 315 17s)?

Thanks in advance...

-Pete

 

I am not sure how the team works in Australia. Do they have a dealer locator on their site?

 

I am not sure how it compares with the NT-01, but i'd compare it more to the RA-1. Just an FYI, nitto is toyo's sister company...you know...that step sister you don't want to admit you have

I'm not familiar w/ the yoko, but I'll pick at our technicians for some info.


As for those sizes, the 275/40R17 and the 315/35R17 are scheduled for first quarter 2008

 

There are very few R-compound track tires in 19" sizes. There is the +/- $1750 a set 19" Michelin "hybrid" Pilot Sport Cup that comes on the 997 GT3 or the alternative Pirelli Corsa -- tires specially formulated and made for Porsche to fit the 19" rims. I say hybrid because both the compound and tread were changed in order to give the tire better performance in the cold and wet - the rain channels in the hybrid PSC is quite different than the true R-compound PSC. There is also a Hoosier in 19", but that's a tire you wouldn't want to drive on the street...

As for Toyo or Nitto - I've never seen a 19" size mentioned, even at the Toyo / Nitto ROW web site. I've been advised that PSM / ABS issues may arrise from "oversized" or oddly matched tire sizes with the Nitto. There is no 295 or 305 available - you'd have to go up to 315 rear and 245 up front. No experience myself with this...

The other thing to think about is in the 997 format, Porsche moved away from having the same diameter tire front and rear, so instead of 25.5" all around, we now have about 25.5" front and 26.5" rear diameters and there are very few track tires in that diameter. The Toyo RA1 fits the bill perfectly with their 245 front and 305 rear.

 

Thanks Ron

the Hoosier is availale in 19 in 235 and 295 rears
if i had these, i would only drive to and back from the track in the absolute dry...
the toyo R888 is available in the Uk in 235 and 295 fitments

i have MPSC now. i have had P zero Corsa on both road and track.
both are perfect road tyres and reaosnable track tyres. pirelli lasts longer though for similar performance.

i found the MPSC without enough front end grip on the last track day.

im happy to import tyres so a US dealer is fine.

http://www.toyo.co.uk/page.php?identity=r888

 

Ron, the R888 is released in a 235/35R19 and a 295/30R19 this month. A 305/30R19 is scheduled for release in the first quarter of '08

 

Great info- I really look forward to those sizes. The RA1s always made great street/ track tires, but I've found myself using them on the track less in favor of things with a little more grip. The R888 sounds like just the ticket for something that can be both driven to and at the events. If you hear anything on it vs the yoko I'd be very interested; it would be nice to find a competitive yet reasonably long lasting AX tire.

 

Talked to our technical guys, they had no info on it compared w/ the V710, but said it outperformed the A048. He did say, it wouldn't be a GREAT autocross tire and is more geared towards the road course. That's all I could get out of him.

 

I just ordered a set of the Nitto NT-01s for an M3, I'll mae a report when I get to use them. I read lots of info and came to the conclusion that the NT-01 is a better RA-1 (for the dry) as Toyo/Nitto are related brands. I hope they live up to what I read!

 

where did you get the NT-01's from???

 

www.vividracing.com

I called to make sure they were in stock or would be in stock soon, and they price-matched Discount Tire Direct. $220/ea shipped for 245/40/18s...$880 to my door was a great deal.

 

what year M3 drew?

 

'05 Interlagos Blue ZCP

 

NT-01s are on a huge backorder...ended up with a set of the Toyo RA1s. edgeracing.com had the best price I could find. I don't know why Discount Tire and Tire Rack don't carry Toyos yet...Discount was willing to offer me a huge discount for a bad experience trying to order the Nittos.

 

Carful with the RA1s - just ran them on my 997s for the first time and boy are they pressure sensitive. Go just a few lbs over 40 and they let go without warning under power. Once dialed in, they were nice, but right now I still feel I like the PSCs better. I did not get mine shaved, and many at WGI said that was the trick -- but I wanted them unshaved to be the "everything" R-comp (wet, cold, dry).