E30 R Comp for Southeasten Tracks - Experienced E30 Track Guys

[craz azn]

Really? Are you sliding a lot? Pressures? This is the first I have heard of this.

Oh I'm sliding haha... using every piece of road and then some! Pressures I usually tried to get high 30s hot... but like I mentioned, I didn't have much times to try them since they didn't last too long :(

[briansjacobs]

Racing? Probably.

HPDE? Your review is not the same as most on 'never ever run RA1 Full Tread'

as for racing or HPDE full tread is the same situation. In the open passing run groups alot of HPDE guys are running faster than race pace.

it is an undisputable fact that full tread RA1 will chunk and wear unevenly when flogged on a dry track. They create more heat due to more friction from side to side movement of the tread blocks.

[nrubenstein]

Really? Are you sliding a lot? Pressures? This is the first I have heard of this.




Racing? Probably.

HPDE? Your review is not the same as most on 'never ever run RA1 Full Tread'

Frankly, once you're at that level, just buy Hoosiers. RA-1s typically cord in a weekend for me. In my experience, once you're driving past a certain point, anything less* just doesn't really hold up to serious driving.

But you'll know when you've reached that point pretty quickly.

* Hoho equivalents like the Hankooks are fine.

[dinanm3atl]

Everyone seems to have good experiences with NT01s, but I wasn't as trilled with mine. Bought them from Discount Tire Direct last spring, by the time I had run 3 track days, and 5 AutoXs, they were finished (mid season)... In comparison, I've gone through over 3 sets of RA1s, and all of them lasted much longer.

Really? Are you sliding a lot? Pressures? This is the first I have heard of this.

I run a bunch of different tires depending on race or instructing, you want speed the Hoosier R6 is great. The RA1 is old faithful, always works well, always predictable, For a little more money and great longevity the new BFG R1 is great, however it is a 225/50/15 and $174.

I heard someone mention earlier to go full tread on the RA1. NO, NEVER,NEVER,NEVER run an RA1 full tread unless it is raining. period! A shaved RA1 will last longer than a shaved RA1 (unles you drive like a bitch)

Racing? Probably.

HPDE? Your review is not the same as most on 'never ever run RA1 Full Tread'

[Bishop]

I still think there are too many variables for that test.... Especially after people saying the RA1 is less durable than the NT01.... I haven't used either, but this thread interests me because I'd rather run junkier tires (cheaper) on the street and invest in some better rubber for open track days, HPDE's, schools, etc...

[7pilot]

You compared different tires, in different sizes, on different cars, with different drivers and received differing results?....

I think you're missing the plot.
The point is that the RA1 which is under more abuse( weight, weight transfer, worse contact patch) showed more durability than the NT01 on a lighter, better sorted platform.
Yeah?

m

[briansjacobs]

we ran them in the 25hour last year and would go a full 6 hours on the MX5 cup car

[kishg]

For a little more money and great longevity the new BFG R1 is great, however it is a 225/50/15 and $174.

+10. I ran these for a full season on an e30 and they still tons of grip right towards the end. Great tire. More expensive than RA-1 but worth it IMO.

[briansjacobs]

Everyone seems to have good experiences with NT01s, but I wasn't as trilled with mine. Bought them from Discount Tire Direct last spring, by the time I had run 3 track days, and 5 AutoXs, they were finished (mid season)... In comparison, I've gone through over 3 sets of RA1s, and all of them lasted much longer.

ever consider as you progress as a driver the tires last less and less and you get faster and faster (just making an assumption as I dont know your experience)

on average I get 4-6 hours out of tires, I don not count heat cycles as I dont auto x and usually cord them or close to before they cycle out. If they are old I will generally use them to break in and toss regardless of tread wear.

[craz azn]

Everyone seems to have good experiences with NT01s, but I wasn't as trilled with mine. Bought them from Discount Tire Direct last spring, by the time I had run 3 track days, and 5 AutoXs, they were finished (mid season)... In comparison, I've gone through over 3 sets of RA1s, and all of them lasted much longer.

[briansjacobs]

I run a bunch of different tires depending on race or instructing, you want speed the Hoosier R6 is great. The RA1 is old faithful, always works well, always predictable, For a little more money and great longevity the new BFG R1 is great, however it is a 225/50/15 and $174.

I heard someone mention earlier to go full tread on the RA1. NO, NEVER,NEVER,NEVER run an RA1 full tread unless it is raining. period! A shaved RA1 will last longer than a shaved RA1 (unles you drive like a bitch)

[Skafrog]

BTW, I called Nitto and they were adamant that they tire compound is different from RA-1's, and this is the result of internet mis-information.
You be the judge.

[e30pq]

Let me preface by saying I don't run in your area but in So Cal & Az. Our car should be running slicks but we have been running R-comps to get more use from our tires and keep racing costs down.

We started using RA1's on our BMWCCA club race car. They were good. They are quick initially but start falling off as you add heat cycles.

We moved to Nitto NT01's a couple of years ago. The are very durable. They get faster as they wear down. We have a set that 2.5 years old and they still run fast lap times. We use the older set for practice sessions. The last race we used them to qualify as well. We have a new set of NT01s that we race on.

[dinanm3atl]

So, whats another $120 when you are spending that much to begin with. Go RA1's. I have had both and I found for my style driving that it was much more forgiving.

A 25% increase in spending. NT01s can be had for low 120s a tire. That means I could get 5 tires for the price of 4 RA1s. If there is a big difference in traction and life. Sure. I would agree. If not? Then 120 dollars is 1/3 the price of an event or 4 Auto-X ;)

Thus... why I am asking for opinions. I have lots of experience with different tires and R Comps on an E36 M3. Not on an E30.

+ Definitely agrees with this comment.
If you're just using this as a casual trackcar RA1s are good and as the others have mentioned Nitto NT01 is a damn good tire. To me felt almost the same as RA1s and they're alot cheaper.

225 45r15 in Toyo run about 180ish
225 45r15 in NT01 run about 150ish

You can find the NT01 down in the low 120s a tire.

[Bishop]

I would recommend the RA1.
The NTo1 is faster for only a while.
The RA1 gets faster, then plateaus a titch slower until corded.
A friend put a set of unshaved NT01 on his full interior E30 M3 but well roll controlled.
I put a set of unshaved RA1s on a heavier full interior E36 M3 with inferior roll control.
The RA 1 with more initial tread depth on a much heavier vehicle have barely any wear compared to the E30 with similar track mileage.

m

You compared different tires, in different sizes, on different cars, with different drivers and received differing results?....