Yet another tire thread, Cup vs Toyo vs ?

[51LE50]

The driving season is starting and it's time to play again.

Anyone ever done a track comparison of the Michelin Cup to the Toyo R888(R) or the Trofeo on a 1LE?
The 'stones RE-71R are the tire to have for street / spec class A-X, but I've not read how well they handle a road track - like Willow Springs.
We can all read what Tire Rack has to say, but I'm seeking input from drivers who've actually used these tires on a track.

[JOHNSONROD]

they have a new trip 8 that i havent tried. i have ran several sets of the old 888s. i wouldnt recommend them. i hear good feedback from guys with lighter cars. in my opinion they are crap for a heavy car.
one of our regular guys, i believe it was x25, raved about the trofeos. they come on the Z28 so they are probably better for a heavy car.
once you go slicks though, your hooked. the R7 in 295 30 19 is a great tire but without the right camber, you will knock the corners off quick. my friend went though like 4 sets last year. ouch.
right now i am running take of slicks from the Ferrari challenge series. i scored two sets of 305 680 19s with one Q sessions on them over the winter. i also have a set of continentals contiforcecontact in 305 30 19 that im going to use for wets and giving rides. i got them on clearance from tire rack over the winter for dirt cheap.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....tiForceContact

[51LE50]

Interesting.... and I've not seen too many of the heavier cars using the Toyo's too. Maybe they over heat and being in the high desert, Willow Springs is crazy hot from June - September, so not a great combo.
Last summer I looked at the Cups on a Z1R, they looked pretty shredded on a mid 90's day, I was a bit surprised how they looked after a couple sessions.
Not planning to trailer the car, so for now I'll stay with the DOT's.
Your friend say the R71 holds up well on a track with the camber sorted out?

[JOHNSONROD]

i havent ran the 71s but i know a guy that does run them. a lot of the optima guys run them. that indicates they are THE 200 TW tire for now. they are obviously an almost R compound tire that has been rated that for a reason. the tire companies put that treadwear rating on there, not some independent third party. if that was the case they would probably be closer to a 100 TW. they wear fast for a street tire. its like brake pads. there is no track pad that doesnt make dust. so... if the tire has high grip, its a gonna wear.
its been my experience that on track day, you dont care about the price or the wear, you want the grip now so you can get to that car in front of you lol.

[Stock Boy]

I'll be running a set of the new R888Rs this year. I'll let you know how they hold up.

[51LE50]

Originally Posted by Stock Boy

I'll be running a set of the new R888Rs this year. I'll let you know how they hold up.

Yeah, thanks, appreciate the input when you put some track time on them. They look like the real deal and are priced well if they work. My car is my toy, not my DD, so I don't need to compromise in tire selection.

[51LE50]

Originally Posted by JOHNSONROD

i also have a set of continentals contiforcecontact in 305 30 19 that im going to use for wets and giving rides. i got them on clearance from tire rack over the winter for dirt cheap.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....tiForceContact

Grass Roots Motorsports had positive comments about them - but Conti advertises with them so take it with a grain of salt. If they were a 35 aspect ratio I'd be more interested. With the Z/28 suspension and aero kit this thing drags body parts if I'm not paying attention - and the 30's are almost a 1/2 inch shorter diameter.

[Dropspeed]

I ran R888 last year. Worst tire I have ever used in 20 years on track. They were OK when new, but after 2 track days they became junk. They would not turn in and it was over steer on throttle.

Was so fed up with the car last fall that I had a friend that is a professional driver (Races trucks now, Ran Grand AM cup, Open wheels, LeMans...) take my car for a spin. He pulled in after one lap as the car was that bad...He saw the R888 and pointed out that was the problem. Apparently that was the spec tire in I believe Grand AM cup about 9/10 years ago. He said "we had 2 laps to qualify and get a good time before they would fall off and then we spend the rest of the race trying not to run into each other"

I have never disliked a tire so much..... (can you tell)

[51LE50]

Okay, Ill scratch the Toyo's off the list!

[Norm Peterson]

Re: the R888's . . . years ago I remember hearing a lot of controversy over what the proper inflation pressure was for them, with Toyo and some people saying one thing and other peoples' experience saying something considerably different. Never did hear if that ever got settled.

I'd been considering them after some of the harder-driving folks in the Pro-Touring crowd started running them, but ultimately scrapped the thought.


Norm

[Virus]

Hoosier r7 or pirelli dh slicks. Worth the money

[L99CAMA2011]

a Z28 driver at Limerock told me his time with the Trofeo Rs were 2 seconds faster than R888s

[51LE50]

And the Trofeo's 295's will fit.
Virus, do you trailer your car to the track?

[Virus]

Originally Posted by 51LE50

And the Trofeo's 295's will fit.
Virus, do you trailer your car to the track?

Just started last year. I used to have my shop bring my tires to the track and I would drive the car there