Just wondering. Would you say the R888 would be a huge difference on the track compared to Bridgestone's RE-11? or just a bit of an improvement?

I'm just trying to weigh up the pro's and cons of the two. The RE-11's will last more events than the R888's, and if they can achieve that with only being slightly worse than the R888's on the track, then i think they would be worth it. But if the R888's are really a lot better on the track then maybe not.

Anybody have any experience with either of the two?

 

The RE-11 isn't even in the same category as the R888. The R888 is an R-compound.

It's like a screwdriver and a hammer. You wouldn't use a screwdriver to bang in nails. On the track the RE-11's will have a much lower temp threshold than the R888. You will overheat the RE-11's while the R888 will be in their operating temp range. Your won't be able to drive your car nearly as hard on the track with the RE11.

I use the R888 on the road as well and is great in the rain. They are expensive for road use and will only last 6-8mo depending on your driving habits.

The difference will be night and day on the track. The R888 is a fantastic tire. Of course your going to have to dial in alot more neg camber with the R888 for them to work well.

 

I loved my Toyo R888's

 

Thanks for the input Jet. If they're is that much of a difference then i gues i'll run with the R888. If i run the R888, i would only run them on the track anyway. Do you reckon you could get 5 track days (timeattack events) out of a set. I know they will get progressively worse the more you heat cycle them, but a far as tread will they last?

 

nice larry /thread

 

as in past tense, you dont use them anymore?

Nitto makes 3 other road racing R compound tires as well, also about 1/2-1/3 the price as the R888, namely the NT01 or NT05

anyone try those?

 

I need them to fit 19 inch wheels. That's the only catch.

 

R888s are a great track tire. I spent 4 days tracking a prepped Exige on R888s in 110deg weather, and I plain loved them. Held up very well considering the temp and pace I was running. They were a pretty feedback positive tire, they let you know exactly how much room you had with the throttle before they were going to let go. That being said I definitely could lock them up under full braking load (no ABS on car), but vast majority of the time under threshold braking they scrubbed off speed very admirably without locking.

RE-11s are not going to compare as stated before. It will be a welcome change if you can find your sizes.

 

Tirerack offer the RE-11 in 265/35 19 and 285/35 19. That is what i was going to run, but if i go with the R888 i'll run the 265/30 19 and 295/30 19.

 

NT05's come in 19's...

 

I don't think NT05 are R's.

 

I overheated a set of my R888's at Sebring and they got a little greasy and started sliding a little but it was on a 98 degree day in a full weight car with my driving instructor and it was after about 4 fast laps.

I run the 275/35/18F and the 305/35/18 rear. The increase in braking performance between a street tire and an r-compound is increadible.

I think you should be able to get 5 track days in on a set, but you won't be competetive in the Redline series after the second or third track day. They will vulcanize and harden a decent amount with each hest cycle.

 

Boom. Yes. Obviously R comps will give you added grip in every way but what I noticed most was how deep I could dive into turns with a proper set of tires. Your brakes will always outperform your tires, but if you can close that gap, that will really improve times. You can then obviously get on your throttle earlier but more importantly, stay on it longer. It really is night and day.

Also I guess my R888s held up well in the 100+ deg heat as the car weighed about 2000lbs vs 3000+.

 

Yeah. It's timeattack in Spain, so we're nowhere near the level of the US yet! This was our first year, so there was still alot of work that needed doing as far as categories and rules, but it looks like next year is going to be a big leap forward.

 

you might want to check the rules and see which kind of tires is going to be allowed for each class.
that is going to make the decision for you.

p.s. drop the 19"... and go for 18" if you want to be competitive.
after 2 tire changes you'll have the rims paid back and/or you can have fresh tires more often.

and look also at V710 kumho...
being in spain you should check also with camskill in uk (www.camskill.co.uk) they have the V70A (like the V700 in the US)...
you could use 285/30R18 all around with the right set of rims and using enough camber. they have more grip than the R888 and they must be shaved (the V700/V70A) for use on dry...
or those... or hoosiers if they are allowed (same size.. 285/30R18)

 

Yeah i'm fully aware of the rules, that's why i'm asking about the R888. I can run anything except slicks.
I'm not going to ditch the 19's, because the price difference between 18 and 19 inch r-compounds is minimal. The only advantage is you get more choices, but i would be very happy with the R888 in the sizes i mentioned. So it would take a lot of tire swaps for me to pay off a new set of 18 inch CE28N wheels. Plus they allow me to run a much larger brake setup if a so choose in the future.

 

than, according to the european porsche guys.. the fastest r-compound around is the michelin pilot sport (and not the one that comes standard on the gt3). I don't know if it's the cup or the cup plus... but I think is the cup the real deal.
and if you stay in 19".... you can't even try the kumhos V70a that THEORETICALLY should be grippier than the R888.

so.. R888

edit* honestly I was thinking enkei in 18"... 600 euros and you're set..
and you can still fit a 355 rotor and 4 piston caliper under that... but I don't see any real advantage going bigger than that in time attack.
but I see an advantage (picking the right wheel and offset) to run 285/30R18 all around or 285/30F and 295/30R

btw, if you haven't done yet... pick some arp studs and open end lug nuts... the stock or the nismo studs are prone to fail with that kind of rubber on the track. (check also the wheel bearings.. they fail too )