911vet

Anyone running the Bridgestone RE-11 on the track?

I need to order tires this week and I've narrowed my choice to
1) Bridgestone RE-11, or
2) Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec.

I've done the searches and can't find much feedback on the RE-11. Found lots on the Dunlop and it seems to be loved by all. But the RE-11 beat out the Dunlop when Grassroots Motorsports and TireRack did their test.

I need to drive to and from the track (DE only, no AX).

Thanks.

sjfehr

From what I understand, RE-11 is some minor tweaks to the RE-01R made to respond to the Star Spec, so pretty much everything you've heard about the RE-01R should apply, but slightly better. The performance in all tests I've seen has been practically a dead heat, with the tires swapping lead from test to test. I suspect small pressure variations caused much of it; I can tell you from experience (AX) that the Star Specs have to be treated like r-comps with regards to temperature and pressure rise or performance falls off quickly. Took a lot of trial & error to get my pressures right.

Since these tires so close in performance, if you're DE (and not competitive), I'd just go with whichever is cheaper, I'm sure you'll be very happy with either tire.

911vet

I greatly appreciate the feedback and advice. I just ran my first set of R-compounds last weekend and destroyed them in one DE. I bought Michelin Pilot Sport Cups and corded one and severly flat spotted another in one weekend.

It was totally my fault for running pressures too high (I was used to street tires and just stupid for not knowing I had to run lower). I tore them up by spinning. Also, Putnam Park eats rubber for breakfast.

So I just spent $700 in rubber in 3 days. Yikes. But the R-cmpd stickiness spoiled me while it lasted. So I'm looking for non-R-cmpd that stick as good as R-cmpd The RE11 and Star Specs seem to be as close as I can get.

The Star Specs are super cheap right now. Sounds like I should order them. I'm fearful of them overheating.

chrisc

Star Specs are great. Have them shaved to 5/32 tread depth for track use.

911vet

They are popular in autocross because they are fast on the first lap (supposedly). So do they overheat on 20-30 minutes runs on the track in the summer?

I'm hesitant to shave becuase I need to drive them on the street too -- might get caught in the rain. What do you think?

chrisc

If they are primarily street tires with occasional DE use you might get away without shaving. Shaving also helps the heat build up problem. If they are primarily track tires then shave them and take it easy in the rain. You might want to check out the R888's, although they will cost you more $$ . There are several people I know using them as DE tires with some street use but the cars aren't DD's. They like them and they do work in the rain if you take it easy. Seem to get decent wear for Dot R rubber.

e9stibi

Falken Azenis RT615

mdrums

Grassroots magazibe just tested a bunch for ultra summer performance tires and the Dunlop won....it was way ahead of the RE11.

If you just drive to the track and back and have other tires for everyday street use I would suggest Toyo R888 or RA1 or Nitto NT01.

Chads996

I have a set of these. Once I find out the proper pressures, I will give full report on how they behave.

Here's the info going in:

Car: '89 944 S2 (w/goodies)
weight: approx 2600#
tire sizes: 235/40 & 255/40 (all 17")

C.

Mike Buck

Toyo R1R !

jasoncoker

Have you considered the Nitto NT-05?
Anyone have experience with them?

911vet

Falkens and Nitto aren't available in my size. I'm not buying new wheels right now. Just tires.
So I'm trying to decide between Bridgestone RE11 and Dunlop Star Specs because they fit my wheels. I think the R888 does too. Haven't really considered it though.

Bill Verburg

I recently put a set of the * Specs on my 3.6C3, I'm real happy w/ them. Very sticky and 3 of the 4 tires needed zero balancing weights, the 4th only needed 0.25g.

911vet

Hmmm.... I'll have to look again. I thought they ranked the RE11 higher. I don't have the magazine, but someone emailed the raw numbers to me.

Is there a copy of the article on the internet anywhere?

Toyo R888 will fit my car, Nitto will not.

shockm

How about Kumho Ecsta XS? Just put a set on my 964, drove to Mid-O (70 miles), ran 20 laps. Still new but feel great so far.