Thanks for the info Steve...

I spoke to Paul @ Radial today, and mentioned running shaved v. full depth. RA1 full depth is 7/32, and according to him will last just as long as the shaved (if not a little longer) if you flip the tires side to side every once in awhile.

Looks like my car will "go on blocks" early next week and I'll bring the wheels up to Radial to have them mount fresh RA1s.

 

You're going to love those tires John! While you've got your wallet out can I get a donation on my big brake kit? By the way good meeting you at SP.

 

Nope, sorry, the remainder in my wallet went towards a purchase of a 51" TV last night... tires are going on as we speak. Uber-traction here I come...

Did you all use similar pressures with the RA1s as you did on street tires?

 

If you don't get them shaved and you track them, you are going to destroy them.

Call Vilven Tire, they supply the Speedvision series:
1( 800) 251-0017

 

Interesting that there is such a debate over this. The shop I bought from supplies several Grand Am cars... hmmm...

 

Listen to Paul!

 

I want to bring this thread back to life since I am in the market for some RA1 next year w/ my Z...

I have never ran them so I don't know what size to get. Can anyone share some experience?

It will strictly be for track days, I am thinking 255/40/17 all around or 275/40/17 all around, or 255F 275R set up... hmm, what do you guys think??

Gary

 

Not sure how much longer RA1's will be around as Toyo is set to release there new 888.

I love my RA1's and can't understand why you would change such a great tire.
- You get more track miles/$ than any other R-compound
- They provide a linear grip when they are heating up
- They still provide some grip when they get loose
- You can drive them on the street if you want

You size I would say would be 275 all the way around, that way you get maximum grip and can still rotate them. But my recommendation is to buy used ones and see what works best for you.
http://www.jbracingtires.net/
I get my tires from John and the cost of all 4 shipped to my house is less than one new tire before taxes and shipping!
This way you don't blow a lot of money on a set of tires that you don't like!

 

Thanks, can you tell me a bit more about where they get their tires and how is the whole purchasing experience with these guys been?

On a seperate topic... Would a wider tires rob away the engine power on the track?

 

They get their tires from several different pro race teams, depends on the tire. If you want to know which tires comes from where - just call John up and ask.
As far as the experiece - there are first rate. Every set I have ordered from them has had 1/2 the tread or more and they ship them COD, so you can see them before you buy them. And after I ordered my tires - they came within 3 days. That is better than most places for new tires!

A larger tire will cause more rolling resistance and be more unsprung weight, so yes it will rob away some of your straight line speed.

 

I had my heart set on RA-1's also, until I found about these deals:

http://www.frisbyracetire.com/z211sale.html

They are discontinued but, for $133 for a 275 you can't go wrong. I ordered a set on Tuesday and I'm pretty sure they still have some in stock.

They are supposed to wear and perform similar to RA-1's since they are the medium compound.

 

assuming 1 tire cost $200, u are saying a set of 4 used RA1 from john would cost the same/ less than $200 all 4?

 

It depends, John sells them from $45 to $75 per tire depending on a lot of things. Yet, I run 275 front and 305 rear (18") and one RA1 305 cost well over $300, so that is what I am using for my comparison, and a set of 4 has always cost me less than a new RA1 305 before taxes and shipping.

 

I have also had very good experience with the RA-1.
Their sister company Nitto has a very excellent NT-01 right now and I think it has even better dry weather grip and sidewall modulus response...but while the RA-1 is a very fine wet weather tire, the NT-01 is definitely a dry only offering. I did a very nifty 180 on damp surface at Thunderhill on the Nittos.....I had been warned, but it took personal experience to appreciate how emphatic "don't do it" was supposed to be.

 

I'm planning to run RA1's 235/40R17 on my stock 17" rims. Has anyone had experience with this setup ? I'm getting them from John as suggested above.
Thanks for telling us about him MoodDude !

 

This is weird . . . I just ordered a set of RA-1s today from John at JB Racing Tires. They're 245/40/18s and will be mounted on my track rims. These will be strictly my track/auto-x setup.

Kudos to John on an excellent customer service and great pricing ($75/tire on an almost new set of RA-1s)!

 

Have you received yours yet ? Mine were shipped today, anxious to find out if you are happy with the condition of the tires.

 

For those on the fence, My RA-1's have only been SLIGHTLY slower than the R3S04's I had before, and they are holding up MUCH better.

 

They're supposed to be delivered today. This is my 1st order from John so I'll find out. He's been straight up with me over the phone and he comes highly recommended from this forum. If I have time, I'll post some pics also.

 

Have you driven these RA-1s on an autocross or road course yet? I'm just curious to see how they handle. I went with the RA-1s so I'll be able to drive to the track & back since I don't have the ability to pull a trailer yet.