What to expect at the track? R1R VS RS3?

[robispec]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

The RS3 is the fastest tire 140TW and higher, but is also the numbest tire in its category.

absolutes can be limiting

Because I won the redline time attack in 09 on r1r's in 105 degree heat and my fastest lap was lap 3 of 3 timed laps at spring mountain.. I guss all that roundee round dirt track experiance helps out on a "greasy" tire lol
;-). As always ymmv.

RObi

[engsr]

I've used both R1R and RS3 (as well as Star Spec and RE-11), mainly for autoslalom purposes, but I did use the R1R for a lapping session early last year. Although I haven't tried the RS3 on the track, I can say that aside from what's already been posted about heat tolerance, the R1Rs feel very vague compared to the RS3. To me, the RS3 had the best feel and response, where as the R1R was hard to get a good feel for them because they are such a soft tire (soft sidewall as well). Some told me to run them at a higher pressure but I wore out the tire way to fast to even get that. The RS3 just felt the best - next would be the Star Spec, and the RE-11 and R1R sort of get clumped together, depending on the circumstance.

I will say that the R1R is absolutely fantastic in the wet/rain - unbelievably grippy and fast. But I had no issues with the Star Spec and RE-11 in the rain as well, so I guess it would depend there. I would suspect that to get the most out of the R1R it's best to shave them, especially if it's for track use. But you compromise some wet traction there, possibly. YMMV.

Oh yeah, I should mention that this is all based on my highly sprung FWD track car. *takes cover* I'm hoping I can get the car out on its RS3s at Mosport next year, just to see. I did have the opportunity to run R1Rs on my BRZ for an autoslalom a few months back and although they did well, I still found them to be very vague in feel. I think that if I do end up getting a set of tires for the BRZ I will probably go with the Star Specs or RS3s. The tire size and wheel choice is a whole other issue.

[stockysnail]

I had the Toyo R888, Toyo R1R, Bridgestone RE-11, and Yoko AD07. The R888 were the best for the track when dry, but wear quicker. The AD07 (now replaced by AD08) seem to have just a little better feel than the RE-11 but they are great as well. R1R basically same as state above by the other user, good but hard to get a good feel. I currently run RE-11 on my BRZ and love them but currently not tracking more than a couple times a year, but if I was doing track only or mostly track then I'd go R888 or closer to slicks.

[Huehuecoyotl]

Originally Posted by stockysnail

I had the Toyo R888, Toyo R1R, Bridgestone RE-11, and Yoko AD07. The R888 were the best for the track when dry, but wear quicker. The AD07 (now replaced by AD08) seem to have just a little better feel than the RE-11 but they are great as well. R1R basically same as state above by the other user, good but hard to get a good feel. I currently run RE-11 on my BRZ and love them but currently not tracking more than a couple times a year, but if I was doing track only or mostly track then I'd go R888 or closer to slicks.

How did the R888 work out on the street, do they melt or will I see a few thousand miles at least? My track is a 2 hr drive, no trailer budget , yet.

[D1cker]

Originally Posted by Huehuecoyotl

How did the R888 work out on the street, do they melt or will I see a few thousand miles at least? My track is a 2 hr drive, no trailer budget , yet.

R888 are fine as far as tread life goes for the street, but on a light car they heat cycle out quickly. Buy NT01's and be happy.

[GTM_Challenge]

Originally Posted by D1cker

R888 are fine as far as tread life goes for the street, but on a light car they heat cycle out quickly. Buy NT01's and be happy.

We prefer NT01s to R888s as well.