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Hey all, I just got back from a session on the track at QR, some of you may have read it was bloody hot. Anyways I have a set of RT615's. I noticed today that the left hand side front and rear have a blue discoloration just off the edge of the tyre tread (its a track which dishes out abuse to the left tyres). I was thinking it may be due to heat. If so will the heat effect the tyre in any way?

no answers for ya but I had the same result after the 1 run I got on the National Circuit......

The tyres still seem to work though!

every tyre has a limit on heat cycles. Especially R compound tyres......The RT 615 isn't an R compound tyre as far as i know. I believe its a soft road compound with a semislick tread pattern. I dare say you have plenty more sessions left before it gets affected by too much heat. They are reputed to start loosing grip when they start getting too hot. They also heat up a lot quicket than your R compound semislick like say the DO1s.

At the end of thier life I swear my RT215's were almost as good as when they were new. The RT615 is meant to be a tad better than its predecessors RT215's in heating up, slightly longer life & wear & tear

here is a shot of mine


that was after the putty run.


just kidding.....wakefiled this year.

Complete with 100mph tape

Brad wrote:Complete with 100mph tape

errr....

but thats another story

That Dammed Armco

hehehe at least it's the same colour

Interesting, STM, that your RT215s lasted so well. I felt that mine were taking longer and longer to heat up to sticky traction levels with each passing event. Grip seemed to decay from 'truly awesome' to 'not-so-special at all'. I've just managed to get another set of brand new RT215s and look forward to comparing performance this weekend at Wakefield Park.
All a moot point, really, as stocks for this tyre (in my 215/45/ZR16 size)are virtually depleted Oz-wide.
I enquired re the RT615s as the new replacement, but they don't even stock ANY in 16inch sizes, now!???
Is my wheel/tyre combo really such an orphan that no-one sells them in performance tyres?

yea i've just gone through the same delema with my 16's.....can't get the size.

I love my current OEM 16's but cant get the required size as its just not avail iin Australia. I've been waiting long enough. I was hoping they would see the light & start importing the 16\" size.

I'm going back to the 15's & some real tyres.

I have to admit.....my RT215's were mainly road used. They were as fast as a raped set of DO'1s on the same car & day. 2 mths after that pic was taken the tyres were rendered illegal & cremated

saddest part was that the illegal tyres were still gripping better in the rain along the old pac than the current legal ones fitted to my 16's.

(in other words my current tyres are way past thier time & way too hard.)

pluto wrote:Interesting, STM, that your RT215s lasted so well. I felt that mine were taking longer and longer to heat up to sticky traction levels with each passing event. Grip seemed to decay from 'truly awesome' to 'not-so-special at all'. I've just managed to get another set of brand new RT215s and look forward to comparing performance this weekend at Wakefield Park.
ombo really such an orphan that no-one sells them in performance

looks like it maight rain......which is great because i tought the RT215's were in thier ellement in the wet.

here is me on 215's in the wet. not as quick as some but pretty good.


http://stansmx5.com/MX5_stuff/Videos/wa ... 301005.wmv

*insert gloat emoticon*

StanTheMan wrote:
I'm going back to the 15's & some real tyres.

Interested in swapping your NB8Bs for my NB8As?

errrrr....no i'll need cash

I've just put on a set of new RT 615's on my SP and I also had to go to 17\" rims to use them.
I got 205/40/17's.
I was a bit concerned that the ride would be harsh on the 40 series tyres, but these 615's have a very good and comfortable ride, even compared to the 45 series Michillin Pilot Precedas I had on before.
Not only that, but boy, do they stick. Almost as good as my D02 race rubber, but without the noise and harshness.
My tyre guy said I won't get much of a long life from them, but who cares!
If I get 10K's out of them I'll be happy.

They don't feel as lively as the Precedas, but they make the car feel lighter than the D02's. Steering response is again not quite as good as the Precedas, but the ride and the grip certainly more than make up for it and I would rate them as a very good performance tyre.
R spec grip without the harsh ride or the terrible whining noise you get from most R spec tyres.

I got 17 k out of mine.....but thjen mine isn't a Turbo

I'm at around 12,000kms I think with probably 40% tread left, that's with 3 track days and fun driving.

Benny wrote:I've just put on a set of new RT 615's on my SP and I also had to go to 17" rims to use them.

Pics please...