RJay

Cant speak directly to the R888, but I've run NT01s this year which is supposedly the same tire with a slightly different tread pattern. Wear has not been a problem, but they have now fallen off by about 1-1.5 seconds after around 40 heat cycles.

Everything I've read is that the compound for the R888, NTO1 and RA1 is either the same or virtually the same; it is the construction that varies. What is clearly different between the RA1 and NT01 is sidewall stiffness. While turn in and cornering are sharper IMO, the lessening of sidewall flex has translated into lower hot tire pressures. In my case, I'm running pressures 4-6 pounds lower than with last years RA1s. The added stiffness translates into a tire which is much more difficult to read, particularly under braking which in a non-abs car makes lockup detection far more difficult. OTOH, given that tires are springs, they should be receptive to subtle setup changes. As a lover of the RA1, I mourn their loss, but I cant say these tires are a step backwards; I think they represent a different set of tradeoffs over the old tire which may or may not work better, worse, the same for you depending on your POV.

Veloce Raptor

Or a Hankook Z214...

Ritter v4.0

Precisely. I have a new set of RA-1's for occasional street and track (rains) and otherwise run Hoosiers.

OntarioMark

Given what I have read and heard, I am not looking forward to the day when I can no longer find RA1s. RJay mentions the Nittos, VR mentions the Hankooks. Short of directing me on to Hoosiers, any other DOT R compounds to recommend purely for the track?

Mark

earlyapex

I am very happy with the performance of the Hankook Z214. I have never run Hoosiers, but my lap times are as good as those running them and I am getting very good consistency over the course of a 30 minute session/race.

Gary R.

I see they are about the same cost as Hoosiers, what kind of life are you seeing Eric?

Steve Watkins

I use the R6 on the RSA, however their competitive racing life span is measured in low single digit cycles vs the Toyos at 20+. The Toyo will never be as fast, but their price and life span can easily drop your tire budget in half. Great for guys like me that aren't getting to the front regardless of grip.

earlyapex

I've got 12 heat cycles on the Hankooks and they are as drivable as they were on the first heat cycle. My lap times have not changed. Sticker tires are good to go after half a lap.

Unfortunately, Hankook is not making very many Z214's and they can be hard to find. I got my last set for Phil's Tire Service.

http://www.philstireservice.com/index.htm

The good news is that they are winning tires and that Hankook has a contingency program that pays you money for podiums.

I plan to stick with them for the rest of the year.

Greg Smith

IMO, all this is is an internet rumor. If it's on the internet it must be true, right?

AudiOn19s

For what it's worth...I've got 24 heat cycles on the R888's on my 996 now and I've still easily got 2-3/32's left on them and I have yet to feel grip go off at all. They were heat cycled from the supplier but run from full depth from the get go. Run them about 34 hot all around

I'm pretty happy with them for a DE tire. Although if they made the RA-1 or NT-01 in the right sizes I'd probably try them out next. Can't bring myself to goto a tire I can't drive to the track and I can't stand PSC's so it looks like I'll be sticking with the R888's for now.

Andy

Sterling Doc

Has anyone gone faster on the R-888's?

I'm 1.5 - 2 sec off my lap times last year in the same Spec car. I'll try less pressure, and a bit less camber next to see if that helps.

There is an emerging consensus that heat cycling the R-888's is much more important than it was with the RA-1's.

Veloce Raptor

IIRC, the World Challenge cars are slightly slower on the R888's.

Papamurphdog

Wha about the Kumho V70A; anyone running those? Been running Yoki A032 but they are now done and it is time for new rubber. Been searching threads...need DOT and D.E. Toyo the best way for price/performance? Kumho? Yoki A048? Nitto? Liking prices on these tires, but are the pricer brands worth the extra dough? Run Kumo's for the street on my other rides and like them fine. lemeno...

earlyapex

The Kumho V710 is a fast tire. Many use them on the autocross, but I have a friend that has had good experience on the race track.

The Nitto NT01 has generally received good marks for drivability and longevity.

The A048 is not a popular tire on the west coast.

Seth Thomas

For grip with the R888 the pressure ranges are lower than with the RA1. Try 34-36 hot for better grip.