Now that the Nationals are over with surely someone has some feedback on this tire. I am sure most were probably finishing off their Falkens and Yokohama's at this event but hoping there were a few cars running the new RE's. I have yet to even see this tire in person locally in East Tennessee is why I am asking. Thanks!

 

It looks to be a strong contender. I suspect that we'll see many more cars on them next year. Most didn't want to learn a new tire so close to nationals, and they still have some significant holes in their size lineup. I talked to two of the Bridgestone guys while we were in impound on Wednesday and they said they were looking to expand their offerings (305, 315, etc).

 

We bought a second set of 'stones as backup tires for Nats in case our Yokes didn't show up (they did), we're in an STX FRS. We already put ~90 runs on our first set of RE71RS’ that showed up in the spring (including Spring Nats), probably would have gotten another 20-30 runs on them no problem before they really fall off, they seem to wear a little better then the A052's do for us (plenty of camber, low power, lightweight). I like them a lot, sharper and more responsive then the other current 200TW's, but much more forgiving then the old RE71R, I think I'm very very slightly faster on them then the Yokes, my codriver strongly prefers the yokes. I've talked to people who love them and people who hate them.

imho it will come down to preference, worth a buy for sure, especially if you're not a fan of Yokes for wear/feel reasons.

ProSolo launches we were in the hunt with 2.2xx 60 foot times across Crows, Lincoln, Packwood, almost no difference swapping back to the Yokes for us, the longitudinal grip doesn't suck, I know some of the SS guys were using them as well.

Edit; BS winning 987 was on Stones.

 

I only have one event on mine (stickers) but I would say if you liked the RE71R, you'd also like the RT660, and if you liked the RT660, you'd like the RE71RS a little more. Feels like a progression of three versions of the same tire. All sharp but peaky tires, with the latter two a touch friendlier and less edgy. Even sticker stones felt like they had better longitudinal grip to the Falken, similar lat. My $0.02 is worth less than some others so YMMV. From what I've seen, they seem to be good all the way through the tread too.

One thing I will note is that multiple people have had a lot of difficulty mounting typical Street pinched sizes in low profile fitments. Something about the sidewall that makes them very difficult to bead. My tire shop had a bear of a time on 255/35-18 on 9s which is not pinched.

 

What pressures seem to be the best for the RS'

 

I do hope Bridgestone offers more sizes very soon! I would be happy with a 295 option at least. 305 and 315 would be awesome though.

 

Thanks everyone for your responses so far. It seems like we might have another tire option. We definitely need more options due to lack of inventory.

 

Good to know on fitment. That is not pinched in the slightest and is the tire size I currently use on an 8.5. Hmmm...

 

I'm on my second tire shop trying to mount the 255/35-19 on 8.5" wheels. Definitely having issues.

 

It was noted above, but Brandon Parambo ran the RE71RS on his Cayman S that he won BS with at the Solo Nationals last week.

Ron

 

Yes, his words chatting with him about it:
"I really like the new Bridgestone. I hear from others that it doesn't have the longitudinal grip that the yok has, but I hate the yok on strut cars. If you see the nationals results, the only ones that won on Bridgestones were strut cars, all 3 of us. The Bridgestones don't really do anything perfectly; not grip of the yoks or response of the Kumho, nor ability to be overdriven like BFG, but it's really good at everything without having flaws per se. My new favorite tire."

 

You know a shop that can do them...just have to travel a bit.


I saw the 285/35-19 mounted on 19x11's and they didn't look very stretched at all.

 

Yes I know. Dave/SPS is a god at getting difficult to mount tires on wheels. I guess I underestimated how hard a 255 on a 8.5" wheel was going to mount.

 

Maybe I won't try a 275 on 8.5...

 

Reports on Friday was second shop has thrown in the towel. I now need to figure out how to get them mounted.