Best Slicks / Race Tires for the Money

[ultra]

Originally Posted by phastafrican

RA-1s are a good choice. And if you find they're not lasting long enough, try Maxxis RC-1

Where can you find either one of these for sale online?

[phastafrican]

Maxxis RC-1 are available on http://www.maxxisrc1.com/
RA-1s are available on Tirerack.com and many other places. Just google it. Nitto NT01 falls in the same category as a great option.

[phastafrican]

I'm aware the OP found a tire and so I didn't want contribute too much to the topic, but here is a good read on some of the "race-tire" options from last year for anyone interested. Even though the thread title says slicks, every tire mentioned so far in this thread including those in the link below are all DOT-R compounds (loosely referred to as grooved slics), and not true race slicks. That's another category. http://www.sportscarmag-digital.com/...03/?pg=31#pg31.

[ultra]

Thanks, was having trouble finding RA-1s in my size on tirerack.

Next best tire? I'm stuck with 225/40/18 on an 8 inch rim, or thereabouts.

Wish they sold NT01s on there...

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Has it been established that a twin stops shorter by not engaging the ABS?

I've been looking but haven't seen where someone has stated that they've tested with & without ABS and have a difference to report (for example, threshold braking with no ABS is 4' shorter than with any amount of ABS engaged - OR - 3/4 ABS is 6' shorter than threshold braking without ABS). The latter is the case with my car, but it's not a twin.

I have novice-to-intermediate students with twins in upcoming events, and this would be useful for me to know.

In general, if the car is not equipped with a Race ABS, threshold brakinrg results in shorter stopping distance than engaging the ABS and I don't think it's any different in FRS/BRZ cars since the ABS on these cars are no different than the other mainstream econobox cars

it is somewhat hard to find those kind of specific tests especially when the outcome is not that hard to predict

[glamcem]

Originally Posted by phastafrican

I have multiple reasons why I went the way I did:

• I broke my steering angle sensor when I tried to retain it for use with my current NRG hub so I disconnected steering angle sensor.
• If there's a long red-flag and I turn off the car to leave it in 1st gear so I don't hold the brakes in, I won't have time for pedal dance once we get going again.
• At the track, I'm one of the busiest people you'll see so it's all touch-and-go. Anyone who's been to a NASA-SE event will tell you.
• There have been times where it took me more than 2 minutes to get the RPMs to drop down enough to successfully do it.
• And I'm forgetful.
• I don't plan on keeping my handbrake.

But these are just reasons from my own experience with this car, and don't apply to everyone.

which makes a lot of sense for your specific situation but for the majority of the people here, I think pedal dance should work just fine

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by glamcem

In general, if the car is not equipped with a Race ABS, threshold brakinrg results in shorter stopping distance than engaging the ABS and I don't think it's any different in FRS/BRZ cars since the ABS on these cars are no different than the other mainstream econobox cars

it is somewhat hard to find those kind of specific tests especially when the outcome is not that hard to predict

My testing with my own (race) car proved this is indeed a generalization, and one that may not hold for one's own car with the tires that are run on it. That's why I was curious if anyone had tested this thesis with their twin. Like they say, the proof's in the pudding.

As for the hard part, you can do it yourself with your own car as long as you can find a place where you can run repeatedly at your chosen speed while you test. I chose 70 MPH, and what I call 3/4 ABS gave me a 6' shorter stopping distance than did any other attempt. BTW, the car has OEM ABS, circa early 90s. As always, YMMV.

FWIW, as part of his coaching it was a pro driver that insisted that I do this test to find out the most efficient manner of slowing the car.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by ultra

Thanks, was having trouble finding RA-1s in my size on tirerack.

Next best tire? I'm stuck with 225/40/18 on an 8 inch rim, or thereabouts.

Wish they sold NT01s on there...

http://www.performancetread.com/nitt...25-40zr18.html

I've bought TONS of NT01s from Performance Tread and have always received excellent service and the best pricing I could find as well.

[phastafrican]

Originally Posted by ultra

Thanks, was having trouble finding RA-1s in my size on tirerack.

Next best tire? I'm stuck with 225/40/18 on an 8 inch rim, or thereabouts.

Wish they sold NT01s on there...

Oh, you're in UAE. Hmm... 235s fit well on 8" without any pinching of the tire. Check with the track closest to you to see if there's a tire supplier any of them use.
My vote would be for the Hankook Ventus TD Z221 if you run out of size options on RA-1 or R888. Slightly faster than RA-1, but will have a much shorter lifespan with the amount of heat.
Kuhmo v700 does very well in the heat from what I've heard.
Pirelli PZero Corsa is a great option too.
And if all else fails, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 is stupid amounts of fast, but I don't know if you'll find your size.

[phastafrican]

Originally Posted by dradernh

http://www.performancetread.com/nitt...25-40zr18.html

I've bought TONS of NT01s from Performance Tread and have always received excellent service and the best pricing I could find as well.

Won't ship international.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by phastafrican

Won't ship international.

I wondered.

[phastafrican]

Originally Posted by dradernh

I wondered.

I take that back. You can always arrange to pay the cost of Freight... call and find out what they can do for you and if that's your only option.

[glamcem]

they were really good when they lasted

[Sleepless]

You corded the insides? Front or rear?

Looks like they could have used a touch more air to wear them middle more evenly. What pressures (hot) are you running?