Ray S

I need to put new track tires on my Boxster. I have used MPSC's for the past 4 sets but I'm considering trying something new. I can save a few hundred bucks if I switch to the R888's.

Is it worth the change or is the MPSC a better all around tire?

(Note - the Toyo RA1's and Nitto NT01's do not come in the sizes I am looking for and I don't think I want to hit the Hoosier crack pipe yet)

CWay27

Was never a big fan of sport cup with the heat cycle thing but damn, nothing sticks like them. My buddy who was a big fan of RA1 has switch to cups. Unlike what people might say with counting heat cycles (I was even one of them), I got a lot out of my last set.

Brian P

I switched to Hoosier R6's (and there are a few who would say that MPSCs are better) but I would get 28-30 heat cycles out of my MPSCs before they would go off. I thought they were very sticky and more than enough for a DE environment.

earlyapex

You're having fun in DE's. No trophies. No harm trying a set of R888's. Get to know how other tires feel.

Veloce Raptor

plus Juan

DanH

I don't like the 888s as much as cups. Find they have a tendency to overheat a bit quickly at the rear, especially if track temps are high. Also they don't seem to be as strongly constructed as cups so if you run them to low they are more likely to fail rather than stay on the cords.

C.J. Ichiban

you guys don't have a DE points system? lol

DanR

how many have you had cord and fail?

jrgordonsenior

The MPSC's need temp/heat to properly function. The R888's area fast right out of the box but do not have the grip at the limit of the Michelin's IMHO. Since you're in a relatively light car (Boxster) I would guess the the Toyo would be a great tire for you to try. We like them in the Spec Box series though we could use bigger tires up front. I'm testing some 245's up front next weekend so maybe next year. IIRC you were running 235/265 correct?...

kgorman

I always had a hell of a time getting heat into the MPSC, I favor RA1/R888 because they work well in a wider range of temps.

+1 what JR Gordon said.

I run R888's on my Spec Boxster like JR Gordon. My advice on R888's is to get them shaved. I have found they drop off at about 30 H/C's, and if I run full tread I tend to H/C them out before the tread is gone. On full tread they are not fast until about 10 H/C. With my shaved sets they are fast(er) out of the box (after about 3 H/C) and then are pretty fast up to 30, and I can start to see cords at that point. YMMV.

Ray S

Correct. I ordered the R888's.

I will use them at Road America this month and report back.

SB

R888s like no more then 33-34psi HOT. Above that, the rears start to overheat, but if you keep the temps in 32-34 hot range, i had no overheating issues on my 997s.

I ran cups for more then 5 years on my e46m3 and here are the reason I prefer R888s:
-wide operating temps (with cups, you'll need to spend 3 laps or so to get them up to temp, and if it is cold out, it will take much longer)
-r888 are more forgiving/more progressive breakaway. as a result, i am more confident pushing the car to the limit.
-R888s are are excellent in the rain.

However, if you're looking for ultimate lap time, i'd go for CUPs because as others have already said, they're stickier.

Papamurphdog

Kumho V70A experience from anyone?? Sizes are right and so is the price...does anyone use them in D.E.?? My yoki A032's are now toast and I'm in need of new rubber. Have 235/40/17 on 8.5's in front and 275/40/17 on 10's in the rear. Looking for biggest patch and so far it looks like the R888's are the winner with 245's (9.8 wide) and 275's (11 wide.) Thoughts? MPSC's are so danged pricey...

dand86951

BFG R1 have the 245 and 275 sizes. I am on them after using the Kumho Victoracer V700. So far the R1 seem to be pretty close to the V700 on a fast AX course, but haven't had them on the track yet for any longer stints. I did like the V700 Kumhos.