MelloYellow

Anyone have experience with Toyo RA-1's and want to post a review vs. other tires?

Thx!

Redshift

I have run Toyo RA1 tires on my old 2000 C5 Coupe as well as on the Z06 and also on my M5. They are my favorite all around track tire. Other tires like a Hoosier may give you a bit more grip, but they won't last nearly as long as the RA1. The RA1 are a bit expensive but they last forever and are very good on track. They give you excellent feedback and have a linear grip - they won't just "let go" unexpectedly.

I have also run Toyo T1-S, Michelin Pilot Sport, and Hoosier GAC03 on track. In fact I have Hoosiers on my Z06 track wheels right now but I am going to get rid of them and put some RA1 back on.

John Shiels

I have spoken to LG about them I would say they are decent but he said the fastest lap they have is the first when he qualifies. If he doesn't get it done the first lap they get slower. I guess he will respond when he gets back from the race. I personally have never run them. I did do my fastest lap ever on some new Hoosiers on the Pocono long course recently.

Jim 47

I presently have a set on my Z06 and basically agree with Redshift. I also have a set of Goodyear GSCS's on 17 inch wheels. The Goodyears definately have more grip and keep on gripping when they are hot. The RA1's tend to get more slippery as they heat up, but they ware like iron. Hoosiers also have better grip than the RA1's, but on my car not as good as the Goodyear GSCS's.

Last time at Watkins Glen I was running 2:17 laps with the RA1's and 2:15 laps with the Goodyears.

Jim

VetteDrmr

I think it also depends on what your competition level is. The top drivers will want the absolute maximum performance tire they can get.

Me, I'm still learning how to drive. I've tracked my RA-1s (275s all around) only a few times, and they work great there. Better grip as they come up to temp, then, as mentioned, they'll start getting greasy if they get too hot. I don't have a pyro, so I can't tell you what the temps were, but the tire pressures were in the low 40s. Dropped the pressures back down to 38 before the next stint (still pretty warm), and they were grippy again.

I mainly autocross mine, and although they don't get up to temps as easily, they still perform well enough for me at my skill level. As mentioned above, they wear really great, I expect them to last me 15-20 autocross events, with 8-12 runs per event, plus a couple of 20 minute track sessions.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

z060ntrack

And you can drive them to the track and home agian

95jersey

I use the Hoosier 04's and Kuhmo 710's and have had increadible results with both. I personally think the Kuhmo 710's are the best, but they will not wear as good as R's with tread. But the Kuhmo's are like 1/2 the price of the RA1's (I think). So I would rather have 2 sets of Kuhmo's rather than 1 set of RA1's. I have gotten 4 events out of my Hoosier's so far and they look like they still have another couple...at least. I think it's also how you drive and how your car is set up. The more camber the better and a smoother driver will be more gentile on tires period. Try the new Kuhmo's...

MelloYellow

Thx for the feedback!

Other experiences with DOT slicks would be great too.

dvandentop

could i drive the ra-1's to an event 2.5 hours away on interstate trip??

VetteDrmr

IMO, unless you're running all the negative camber you can get, you'll put more wear on your tires during the event than you will cruising down the highway. I drive about 1:15 each way and have never had a problem.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

dvandentop

wonder how just the ra-1's on the rear and f1 supercars on the front would be? i wil do mostly auto x and prolly 8-10 20 minute sessions per year

damn decisions decisions!
i really dont want to get another set of z06 rims since i would have no way to transport and would have to get a mini trailer to tow behind the car

VetteDrmr

By that answer does that mean you are running a bunch of negative camber? If so, then you'll wear the F1s the same as the RA-1s. Actually, the RA-1s don't really need much in the camber area, if my tire wear is any indication. I flip them one time about halfway through their life and they end up wearing through in the center of the tire.

HTH, and have a good one,
Mike

dvandentop

i do not adjust the suspension at all as i am mostly alot of street drivng and auto x here in town 3-4 times a year

and maybe MAM in omaha 2 times a year

VetteDrmr

Then I think driving on the RA-1s would do just fine. And it sure saves a bunch of hassle at the track!

Have a good one,
Mike