NT-01 or R888 ?? Summer Track Tire

[Deep Six]

Summer is approaching and it's looks like I will finally have time to hit the track on a monthly basis this year. Aggressive R-Comps wear much to quickly when the temps climb even on a 2600 pound car. Looking for first hand feedback regarding these two tires. I have run the triple 8's on a 3800 pound car and they tended to grease up quickly. Source for the Nitto's that can providing shaving to 4/32's ?

Going to a 100 rated tire also drops me to the limited class for the GT-86 time trial series that Raul is putting together. Considering that Sebring has multiple stops, it would be wise to keep an NA car out of the unlimited class.

Below is a graph comparing my Roebling lap with an E36 M3 (330whp) caged track car which was running the Nitto's while I was on Hoosiers. The difference in power (cars were similiar weight) is obvious but so is the difference in grip, hence my 1:20:4 vs his 1:20:8. Similiar times but very different results.

[ja1217]

You may want to consider running the Maxxis RC-1. Most of the reviews that I have read say that they are slightly faster than the NT-01 with cool temps (<90F) and about that same in hotter temps. The RC-1's are also about $10 cheaper (I'm looking at 225/45R17 sizes) than NT-01's and about $50 cheaper than the R888.

That, and they have a very nice contingency program (more generous than Hoosier) through NASA, which is hosting the 86 Challenge, if I remember correctly. I'm going to be giving them a try this season in the Mid Atlantic rand Northeast regions.

[raul]

I've had some experience with NT01s, and the only feedback I can offer is that they behave like Hankook RS3s, but with higher limits. But that was just from 2 sessions. Otherwise, I would suggest the Maxxis RC-1. It's what I'll be running. If you happen to score a win within the NASA classes the events will put you into as well, you can win some tires.

[CSG Mike]

Between the NT01 and R888, I'd take the NT01 all day. The R888 is very peaky.

The RC1 has a very, very generous contingency program... that's the direction I'd go for a NASA hosted series.

[smbstyle]

I've got about 100 heat cycles of experience on NT-01s in 215/45R17, I run them from full tread to the point where they cord, and they are absolutely amazing. I've got some AIM data from Sebring if you'd like to compare, but they have loads of grip and break away very predictably. I set my fastest lap time at Sebring (2:35.9) with one of the rear tires showing cords lol

[phastafrican]

There's a new R888R coming out soon - faster. I'd hold off comparing NT01 with current R888. RC-1s are too good a buy to ignore, but nothing will last as long as NT01s.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Between the NT01 and R888, I'd take the NT01 all day. The R888 is very peaky.

I would agree with this, but for the OP, unless you're at 10/10ths consistently, you're likely to not notice that big of a difference.

Even the modern crop of extreme performance summer tires (Direzza, RS-3, AD-08, etc) are VERY close to NT01/R888s.

[Lunatic]

Originally Posted by Deep Six

Going to a 100 rated tire also drops me to the limited class for the GT-86 time trial series that Raul is putting together. Considering that Sebring has multiple stops, it would be wise to keep an NA car out of the unlimited class.

If a 200 tire would keep you out of the Limited class wouldn't this be a better choice?

[SeanRTR]

I've driven back to back on R888's and NT01's on a 2500lbs car with driver. The feedback you get from the R888's is about the best you could hope for, really good for a new driver/racer. The tires are LOUD, so you always know where the limit is generally. R888's also wear like iron, even a bit better than the NT01's. NT01's are indeed about half a second quicker than the R888's, however on a road race car where every lap is 10/10ths, even short sessions (15-20 minutes HARD) I ran into chunking issues that completely destroyed the tire. Granted this was on a FWD application with limited front camber, but when Nitto told me to eat d1cks when looking to replacing a chunked tire that had clearly failed, I'll never buy one of their products again, and do not recommend them for competitive race use.


R888's will likely be better in the rain/street driving as well over the NT01's.

[kster1]

Originally Posted by SeanRTR

R888's also wear like iron, even a bit better than the NT01's.

I agree that the R888s don't show much tread degradation over their life. The main issue I had with R888s was that they heat cycled to death very quickly. After about eight to ten track events, they still had plenty of tread but were seconds a lap slower when compared to new. On the other hand, the RA-1 is much more consistent as tread is worn worn. I'm hoping this new R888 version is more resistant to heat cycles.

[SeanRTR]

Originally Posted by kster1

I agree that the R888s don't show much tread degradation over their life. The main issue I had with R888s was that they heat cycled to death very quickly. After about eight to ten track events, they still had plenty of tread but were seconds a lap slower when compared to new. On the other hand, the RA-1 is much more consistent as tread is worn worn. I'm hoping this new R888 version is more resistant to heat cycles.

Supposedly the Nitto NT01 and Toyo RA1 are essentially the exact same structure and compound, only with different tread design.

[Sleepless]

I've been using NT01s on various cars since 2007 have also used R888s on some of the same cars. If you don't slide the cars too much then the R888s are a bit faster but they can overheat and get very slick if you drive 11/10s. The NT01s are cheaper and more forgiving and barely heat cycle out; in fact, I find them to have more grip as they become near slicks as they wear out.

Given the choice, I'd go with the NT01s.

[glamcem]

I personally never owned R888s after hearing too many stories about them (inconsistency issues due to HCs) but one of my friends who tried the R888s hated it, and switched back to NT01s..

NT01s are the best overall tires for the money IMO, too bad they're not offered in 245/40/17s

[AZP Installs]

I would take a hard look at the Maxxis as well. Spec86 Cup will be testing these out in 2015 as the proposed spec tire for 2016 when the race series will go to a required spec tire.

-mike