ST tire opinions ... Toyo R1R vs Star Z1

[Mako Koiwai]

Andy Hollis is the only one that I know of that's used the 140 wear Toyo R1R. Any opinions on how it would stack up against the Dunlop Star Z-1 (200 wear)?

Trying to find a possible SK2 tire for our Miata. Not much out there in 15", plus we want slightly tall because of our 6 spd.

In CS we run a 225/50/15 ... 23.7" diameter ... 9.2" width.

ST compromise for us would be 195/55/15 .... 23.5" diameter ... 7.9" width Z-1; 8.1" width R1R.

195/50/15 is too short ... 22.8" diameter ... lots of third gear shifting.

The Toyo R1R is about 40% more expensive ... but we'd pay that if it's worth it.

Is it worth it? Is the light weight Toyo tire too soft in it's sidewalls, especially in 55 profile?

[Mako Koiwai]

As Leonard pointed out, the only tire in our preferred size of 225/50/17 is the Hankook R-32 ... but that tire was never quite up there. I wonder if having it in the wider taller size would make up for it's otherwise lack of grip? I'm thinking of Tom Hoppe and the 245/35/17 Falken 415 ... not nearly as grippy as the 215, but it made up for it by being wider and shorter, allowing more rev's and WRX boost out of the corners. We want taller to avoid constantly having to do the 2/3/2 shifts.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.jsp? ... ageLocQty=

[Jason Isley BS RX8]

Andy Hollis is the only one that I know of that's used the 140 wear Toyo R1R. Any opinions on how it would stack up against the Dunlop Star Z-1 (200 wear)?

Really? How about the guy that won STS at natls on them? ;)

[Mako Koiwai]

I know so little ...

They don't list what Andy was using ? At our ProSolo I believe he had the Toyo's on front ... and something else in back?

So they seem to work pretty well on a light car ... like the Miata?

[Sebastian Rios]

I'm really interested in them for the civic.
I drove Mihai's WRX on them, Super grippy in sweepers, kind of numb in transition, need to be cooled, probably not good for hot Fontucky days with co-drivers. If it's the right size, run it, they are competitive for sure.

[Jason Isley BS RX8]

I know so little...

They don't list what Andy was using ? At our ProSolo I believe he had the Toyo's on front ... and something else in back?

So they seem to work pretty well on a light car ... like the Miata?

You are right about one thing.... He had them on the back if his Civic at natls, with Stones on the front. While Smith had them all around, again on a Civic.

All of this information is on the web, if you search.

[Jason Isley BS RX8]

How about this one: http://nittotire.com/#index%2Etire%2Ent05" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Or the RE-11... Good stuff coming soon.

[Will Kalman]

All of this information is on the web, if you search.

He knew that and it's exactly what he did. After submitting his search criteria, the answer magically appeared in this thread!

[Jason Flores]

I know so little ...

They don't list what Andy was using ? At our ProSolo I believe he had the Toyo's on front ... and something else in back?

So they seem to work pretty well on a light car ... like the Miata?

STS class winer was on R1R's with very few differences in setup then most of our STS cars.

Hollis was on Stones on the front and R1R in the rear...

If your looking to buy something that is out now my vote goes to R1R, if your looking to wait the RE-11 is coming and also take a look at the sizes for the KUHMO now in stock which are also over the golden 23inch measurement and can help with your shifting problem....

[Jason Isley BS RX8]

He knew that and it's exactly what he did. After submitting his search criteria, the answer magically appeared in this thread!

[Mako Koiwai]

[Steve Ekstrand]

The odd thing is Andy and Tim and many others have found that the 195 Toyo is much better (softer) than the 205. Toyo claims the compounds are the same and are investigating for a reason. I think the point was made well at nationals when they saw the top finishers not touching the 205. That has STS wondering if the new 225-45-15 will be soft like the 195 or pretty pathetic like the 205. The tire doesn't tolerate heat all that well. But is good immediately, and on the rears stays consistent from the start. As opposed to stones which go from ice skates to grippy on the rear of a civie and make setup a compromise.

I don't know what this says about larger sizes. I think the STS2 MIata guys are pretty excited about the 225-45-15 Toyo's coming (supposed to be out by now but I haven't looked). They can fit them all around well.

Civies can only fit them on the front and have to raise the car to do it. Not sure if they will be better. It'll take some work to find the setup with ride height and camber changes and of course the staggered tire.

2009 is going to be a tough year with Nitto's, RE-11's, XS's, big Toyo's, and ???? Its the kind of thing that really benefits a guy like Andy who has the money, test sites, and skill to properly evaluate and setup. But we don't know how much he'll run in 2009. I'm feeling a little overwhelmed by the tire situation.

If the Dunlap has your size its a great tire for the money. From what I saw on the civies, a wider Hankook was still inferior.

[Jonathan Lugod]

the Dunlops are great tires and last pretty long. I have about 175 runs on my set full tread so far. I've had some success both here and San Diego on them. They are a bit tall, but i've gotten used to them like that. I'm contemplating on getting another set shaved in 15's for next season.

[Steve Collins]

Mako,

If you want to try the Z1s and we can sort out the logistics, you are welcome to run my wheels on Karen's car for a couple of laps at the practice.

Steve

[Mako Koiwai]

Thanks Steve ... just ordered a set of 195/55-15's from Tire Rack ... under $400, delivered.

I think the R1R's in 55 would have sidewalls a bit too soft for our CS Miata. Looks like the Z-1's get a great wet review anyway.

Too bad the R1R's are available in 225/45/15 but not our 225/50/15. But those tires in 225/45/15 would make an excellent STS2 tire for this time of the year for you ... if the weather actually cools down like it SHOULD for this time of the year!

[Robert Puertas]

I'm trying to decide between the new Kumho XS and the Dunlops.
Anything worth discussing there?

[Adrian Covert]

Does this mean Mako is coming to SK2 to play???

[Steve Ekstrand]

I haven't heard much from the XS testers. I've heard a lot of smugness from the Bridgestone testers. Not sure if that means that they likes the RE-01R better than the XS or that they had access to the RE-11 and that was better than the XS. The 'stones haven't done well so far on the heavier cars.

[Mako Koiwai]

That would be our first choice for next year ... but still haven't found the right size tire ... considering our 6 spd, etc. But, a number of new tires coming out.

At the Oct. event I was only 1.3 seconds ahead of Tom ... with R's. ... but we're still having issues with getting the power down ... found a seized front shock today ... which probably hasn't been helping us.

Andy Hollis liked the new Kumho ... see the discussion on the SCCA forum.

[Robert Puertas]

Yeah, but as Steve points out, what might work on a civic or miata, might not be the best choice for the GTO.
Although really, this is just for the street, and a very rare autocross. I have a set of 710's to run FS.

[Pete Loney]

I'm trying to decide between the new Kumho XS and the Dunlops.
Anything worth discussing there?

Will find out soon. Just mounted some yesterday in OE stock size for SK1 action......

[Steve Ekstrand]

Which brand Pete?

[Mako Koiwai]

He's already been running the Dunlop. ;)

btw. Check out the two page photo spread in Sport Compact Car magazine of Pete's car ... their article on Auto Crossing. I made a big detour to check it out at the Barnes and Nobles in Old Town ... and they didn't have it ... nor the new GRM!

[Steve Ekstrand]

I used to be able to get those at the old Tower Records on South Lake. But no more.

[Pete Loney]

Which brand Pete?

Kumho's, keeping my trend of being an early adopter.....