l98tpi

Looking for practice tires and rain tires for autox and high speed events. Narrowed down to these two. Please comment on which you would choose. Thanks for the reply.

crimlwC6

I've ran both and I'd go with NT01s

johninar

I run NT01 and I've run them in the rain, albeit not when they were new. But it's certainly not my choice for a rain tire.

froggy47

l98tpi

Surprised there are no more experiences with these tires here. I think I have made my choice.

SunnydayDILYSI

I haven't had experience with the NT01, but the R888 seems to have much better rain channels if you are looking for a rainy day tire. From what I've read, they are both made by the same company with the same rubber, the rain channels are the big difference.

froggy47

Check the tire HEIGHT in the sizes you want. It looks like the Nitto is a pretty short tire in a rear 315x18 which is what I would use on the rear.

argonaut

I've used both and will take the NT01 any day of the week. R888s are probably the most controversial tire - folks either love them or hate them...I'm of the later opinion. Neither one is much good in steady rain, better than an A6 I suppose but I'll take something like Continental DW in the rain over these two (or Hoosier wets if you can afford a set of rims and tires that you will rarely use).

froggy47

You guys that run nt01, what sizes do you run? I looked at the selection & diden't see anything that would work on 18 all around, or do you run 17/18?

SouthernSon

I, too, have run sets of both. Although I did not do any exacting comparisons, I believe the Nitto 01's provided as much grip and did it much more consistently through a 30 session and from weekend to weekend. If I am not running a 30 or 40 treadwear then it will be the Nitto 01.

hungryhippo

I wish nt-01s came in C6 sizes. R888's have tons of nice choices.

johninar

I run 17/18

crimlwC6

315/17 on a c5 on 4 c4 grandsport rear wheels.

froggy47

Nice setup.

Soloontario

I run 315 NT-01s all round with minimal rubbing. My guess is that the fronts are actually a bit too big for track use and are giving me too much rolling resistence even with neg 2 camber but they do fit on 18 x 10.5 C5Z rears.

888s are the worst R compounds I have ever used. Couldn't recommend them to anyone. Amazing that the spec Miata and American Iron guys got Toyo to remake the RA-1 in sizes for them after one season of the 888s. Unfortunately the RA-1 is only available in those limited sizes.

JimbeauZ06

Nitto is a subsidiary of Toyo. Same compound. NT01s are same as slicks in the rain. Will heat cycle out before they wear out unless you shave them.

l98tpi

Are they manufactured in the same plant? If so, where? I used to use the Kumho v700 but they discontinued those. Is Nitto a Japanese tire?

Soloontario

That would not be my experience. I believe the NT01 has been around longer than the 888 and certainly it used to be considered the baby sister of the Toyo RA-1. I have found the NT01 to last for a lot more heat cycles than an 888 which seems to me to grip like a street tire and heat cycle out like a Hoosier.

Yes Nitto is a Japanese company and is a subsiduary of Toyo.

Canam

What Solo and Jimbeau said.

Nittos and RA1's are the same tire carcass. I will use either depending on supply and price. It doesn't matter either one. Same tire.

About 888's, shortly after Toyo introduced that tire the complaints began to flow in from the US and Canada racers. So bad that yes, they had to start to re issue RA1's for the Miata guys. Toyo tried to phase the RA1 right out to force people into the 888 but its not working. They made a lousy tire and won't admit it. Still people buy them because most of Toyos promotions at race tracks only allow deep discounts on the 888 or sets of free tires.

I search hi and low for the RA1 and the Nitto and buy the one that has the best price. currently its the Nitto. A great tire and both them and the RA1 last a long time and are the best value. Not the Quickest but best value overall. If you want quick its still Hoosiers (or continentals which are just harder compound Hoosiers). If you can get them as scrubs from Grand Am or other series ( I ran them once last year) they are an awesome tire. They do heat cycle out though after about 10 runs depending on your cars weight.

l98tpi

Wow, some good insight on the tires. Now, where do you guys usually purchase them? I found them at two places, tirebuyer.com who don't have any in stock and Amazon says they can' tship the tires to for or five states and OH happens to be one of them. WTF? I could get them shipped to people I know in other states, but hate to have to ship from there or drive to pick them up.