Peter Calvert

('05 C6) I have been using Toyo RA1s for the past 4 years at road courses (VIR, The Glen, RA, etc.) and they worked well for me. I now need two fronts (275/35/18) and RA1s are not available. I'm considering Nitto NT05s on a friend's recommendation. I have a set of 'still good' RA1s as well as a new set of RA1s for the rear (305/35/18). I need some advice on whether or not I should continue to run the RA1s on the rear and could I run the Nittos on the front?

After reading some of the forums, the Toyo R888 seems to be recommended but I'd heard that they weren't great for road courses. Might that be an alternative for the front?

One suggestion was to sell the new RA1s on eBay and get rid of the RA1s altogether.

Suggestions?

Bill Dearborn

Not sure why the R888 wouldn't be good for road courses. That is what they are made for. As long as the better handling and higher traction tires are on the rear you shouldn't have a problem. You may get more understeer than you did with the RA1 but the car will not be a nightmare to control.

Here is what the Toyo web site says about the R888s:

Ideal for road racing, track days and high performance driving schools, the Proxes R888 is the next-generation, street legal competition tire from Toyo Tires. In competition the R888’s improvements in casing and tread design improve dry performance while maintaining wet traction and control.

Bill

AU N EGL

mixing tire brands is not a good idea

Choose one or the other

mikefili

I ran the R888's on my C6 for track days, just wonderful, lots of grip and they seemed to do everything right, loved them on the C6. I went to Hooisers R6 on my Z, only reason was the Toyo did not come in any sizes that would work on the Z.

C4jgriffin

I have R888's on the front and RA1's in the rear (295 and 335 18's) on my 08 C6, for autocross and driver schools. I am a driving instructor in the Porsche Club of America. I believe the Nitto's are the lower cost arm of toyo, and have 6/32 instead of 8/32 tread depth. I have been told by fellow autocrossers and my knowledgeable tire dealer City Tire in South Gate (LA area) that the NT01's are the identical rubber compound, matching the R888, RA1, as well the Toyo R1R street tire. I prefer the less airspace in the NT01 but find these very good for a driver that drives to and from events on the street, has a limited budget, and don't have to win their class. They are relatively long lasting R1 tires and last 150-200 laps, versus 50 for Hoosiers or other best performing 40 rated tires like Goodrich R1 or Kuhmo 710's. Just don't run different brands on the same axle and you'll be fine. I mix Nt01's and R888's on my 78 911SC with no issues.

oldmansan

I've read that the Toyos and Nittos are from the same factory so I'd trust that the above is true.

I have the Toyo R888s on my C6 (295/30/18 and 335/30/18) and they're very good tires.

San