Land Jet

These are the only choices I have found in the tire sizes for my 2002 996TT. Which will give me the most track days? Which do you feel is the superior tire? Which is the most bang for the buck?

mark kibort

Im partial to the RA1s, and heard that the R888s are the same compound. Ive gotten some crazy life out of them. sometimes a full year of driving, commuting to the track and all the practice sessions before races are done with my B set of RA1s. sometimes my best time is only .4-.5 seconds slower with these used , bald , old '04 tires!! they are pretty amazing!
I havent tried the others which I think are more on par with Hoosiers. (up to 1 second faster)
mk

Veloce Raptor

Mark, for the 437th time, RA1's are no longer produced.

Larry, I suspect you would have the most fun-to-heat cycles ratio with the 888's. The PSC's are much more ambient-temperature sensitive, and tend to heat cycle out before wearing out on a heavy car like yours a lot sooner than the 888's, IMO. The Yokos just don't have the grip, again IMO.







Professional Racing and Driving Coach

Crazy Canuck

I'm going to try the Nitto NT-01 next.

Veloce Raptor

An excellent choice IMO, and much less expensive than it's brother the 888.







Professional Racing and Driving Coach

Crazy Canuck

From those who have tried both, I hear the NT-01 is much more popular due to its tread design.

RonCT

Of those three I have the most experience with "real" PSCups, such as are made for your 18" TT (vs. the 19" Faux Cups I've also run). Loved the real cups, lasted long, gripped like crazy once heated up. Only took 1 to 2 laps to get them in their zone. BUT, I just put a set of R888 on my 09 C2S and will have them at The Glen in a couple of weeks. You only asked about Cup vs. R888 vs. Yoko and I've not heard many good things about the Yoko...

I'll be posting my thoughts on the R888 after the Glen, but I don't think you can go wrong with 18" Cups - loved them in the past... Just have to be careful with them in the wet and cold.

TAI2

Only had the R888's (18") for a couple of months and just love them. It took (2-4) 25 minutes DE sessions to get them to "calm down" - they were a bit erratic until I got them worn down just a bit. Then they settled in and exceeded my expectations. I do drive them to the track as they are still "new" but we will see how the rest of the season goes.

Mark in Baltimore

MPSC's last a long, long time, Larry, and are plenty fast. Just ask Bob Turgeon and Colin Mazzola.

boss351

I have similar track usage out of R888's and A048's (5 vs 6 days) on similar tracks/activities. I found the R888's just a tad more confidence inspiring and have gone with them again.

I'd like to have a go with the NT01's but for the stock 18's they only have wider options that I think with my suspension/alignment setup would possibly rub fender liners in the rear. With your stiffer suspension I think they be work and be worth a try.

mark kibort

Gee really? If you read my post smart guy, I was refererring to liking the compound for which the R888 is made from.
Dude, what is your problem ego boy?

Well anyway, I have plenty of stock of them. All shrink wraped waiting to come out and play. I think I grabbed too many of them from Villan.

Mark in Baltimore

Mark,

I think VR was referring to the fact that since the OP was not considering RA-1's, a tire that is no longer available, any discussion about them is rather pointless.

mdrums

Ron, your 1st 2 track days on R888 will not be what you are hoping for. 3rd day will be better but 4th day on will be loads of fun. You will feel the R888 tread moving around on you during threshold braking and entering and exiting corners hard.

333pg333

So none of you guys have used Bridgestone RE55s? They are meant to be superior to the Toyos from what I've heard.

RonCT

I've been running my R888 on the street just to wear them down a bit. Have to say - I love the "mean" look of the lower SPASM suspension, Aqua Blue, and Gunmetal Volk TE37s sporting the R888s. I experimented with the RA1 before and tried a set unshaven - big mistake. But as many say, the R888 doesn't benefit much from shaving, but I still feel 1000 street miles on them should help "settle" them.

As for the Bridgestone RE55 - not available in the US. Looks like an "Australia Only" tire.