I bought them from Discount Tire even though they don't normally sell them. I ordered on Wed. aftrenoon, they arrived Fri. morning ($1250) mounted & balanced. I could have saved $100 if I got them from a mail order house, but I didn't want the hassle of finding someone to mount them and hauling them down there.

These things are really soft. There was a set of Nitto 555R drag radials sitting on the floor near mine, so I stuck my fingernail into both. The RA1s are considerably softer than the Nittos. So who knows how long they will last. I chose the Toyos because they have a very deep tread, 8/32" whereas most other R compound tires have only 6/32" or less. Also several SCCA classes use them as their spec rain tire.

The first thing I noticed on the ride home from Discount Tire was how quiet they are. Much better than the stock Supercars or Pilot sports. They don't seem to follow pavement irregularities much either. The ride is just as smooth as the stock tire. All of which was surprising for a stiff sidewall track tire.

There is a series of twisties just before I get home. Normally good for about 55 to 60 mph depending on the pavement temp. I did get up to 65 once but the car was all over the place. It scared the crap out of me, the back end kept stepping out. Well, I drove through at 65 (rock solid) 75 (still felt good). Last pass just a tick under 80, with some very mild understeer, completely controllable.

Now for accelleration. With the Supercars or Pilot Sports.
First gear: instant tire smoke at any rpm, completely unusable.
Second gear: wheelspin above 3000 rpm, required a delicate foot.
Third gear: would even break loose above 4500 rpm unless the pavement was perfect.
With the RA1s it's a completely different animal.
Third gear: No wheelspin, even when you snap the throttle open in the meat of the powerband on marginal pavement.
Second gear: Takes full power on good pavement.
First gear: If you're carefull and squeeze it on smoothly it'll take full throttle up to 5000 rpm before it breaks loose. Now this is with 460 RWHP 420 RWTQ & 373 gears. I suspect these will knock .3-.4 seconds off my 60 ft. time.

These look pretty good If you're not on a budget and you want something that will handle some extra power and still corner. I'll post an update after I get them to the track and drive in some rain.

 

I purchase my Toyo T1 R at tire discounters in the Z06 sizes. I think its the best mod to date. No noise at all and handle extremely well. For a tire that finished 8th over all in a recent test I think I made a good choice

The Big Dog

 

I see alot of guys use them for HPDEs. They can drive their car to the track, run fast speeds and drive home.

Nothing like having a r-compound tire on the street.

Just watch out when they are cold and the pavement is cold they are like having ice skates on (not sure if it ever gets cold in Texas though).

 

Awesome tires! Got mine from toyosforless.com delivered for about 800.00. Very quiet and the handeling is tight.

 

When those tires wear out half way there really going to grip.

Steve

 

Not sure what you're wanting to use them for, but you'll find that after you get them scrubbed in the grip level will go up, as will the knack of grabbing most everything off the road and throwing it on your car.

One thing about the RA-1s is the consistency of the grip level. Other R compound tires (Victoracer V700s) may have more grip earlier in their life, but tail off towards the end. I've raced RA-1s with the tires completely bald and the grip is just as good as ever.

BUT, when they do go off, expect the grip to go off significantly (of course, running on steel belts does have consequences ).

Where you're located, you really need to take them out to an autocross at Mineral Wells or a DE out at MSR in Cresson.

Have a good one,
Mike