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I'm looking for a set of new tyres for my next track outing. I figure that (aside from improving the driver...) new tyres will be my best 'bang-for-buck' upgrade.

What sort of improvements in lap time can be expected from R comps? Say for example, with a stock NA6 at Barbagallo Short, running 205/50/15 Toyo T1Rs in the high 63 second range? One second, two seconds per lap?

Any recommendations on what brand? I've been looking at the Federal 595 RS-R as they apparently heat cycle well. I understand they are probably not the fastest around, but they seem to be reasonably priced. Am I better off going to something more serious like a Bridgestone RE55S?

Anyone know a good place in Perth to buy from?

Toyo R888, I've been very happy with mine.

What size, rossint? How have they been in terms of heat cycling and wear? How much were they? What sort of performance improvement did you get from them?

Toyo is currently in the process of appointing a new Motor sport tyre delaer for Perth / W.A. Bayswater tyres was the Toyo Motorsport tyre dealer for several years but has sold premises and ceased trading as of the end of Feb. I will confirm the new dealer ASAP.
I suggest you ask forum members regarding their opinion of the Proxes R888 on MX5s, I know many forum members use these tyres.

MOTOR magazine tested semi slicks in their Dec 2009 issue. They ran 245/40R18 on an Audi S4. For what it's worth, the winner was Dunlop Direzza 03G, followed by Bridgestone RE01R, then Toyo Proxes R888, and Toyo Proxes R1R.

Have a search also for Hellmun's post about his experience with different R specs. He had some very useful comments on durability too.

R spec tyres can be worth up to 3 secs a lap compared to even high end road tyres, depending on track. (eg my lap time dropped by 2.6 secs at PI through tyre change alone. Same day, same conditions just swapped tyres between sessions.)

I have run RT615, A048R, A032R, R888 & DZ03G on my car, (size is 205/50/15) which is used almost solely for sprints, and would rate them in that order from worst to best as far as overall grip/performance goes.

RT615 were touted as a good road tyre suitable for sprints as well, but I found these useless on the track, and wouldnt buy them again. (for track use..) Even shaving them to 1/2 tread depth made little difference.
A032R were good for their day, being good grip and consistent down to almost bald, and good price. $170ea (though were 14s not 15s)
A048 were pretty good for the first session or two (initially quicker than A032Rs) but went off very quck and were rubbish by third meeting. Still 70% tread but no grip.. Around $330ea.

Toyo R888s were better, and (just) lasted a full season (10meets) with consistent grip all though tread life. Were my chosen tyre at $270ea up until the price rise last year which put them the same price as Dunlops.

Currently running DZ03G ($320) and find these quicker again (compared back to back with R888s at PI, DZ03s are approx 0.5 secs quicker) Though tyre life doesnt seem to be as good, and I will struggle to get a full season out of them.

I will probably go with DZ03G again next season, as slightly less tyre life (vs R888s) offset by better grip.

my 2c
Rus

rascal wrote:Toyo R888s were better, and (just) lasted a full season (10meets) with consistent grip all though tread life. Were my chosen tyre at $270ea up until the price rise last year which put them the same price as Dunlops.

Currently running DZ03G ($320) and find these quicker again (compared back to back with R888s at PI, DZ03s are approx 0.5 secs quicker) Though tyre life doesnt seem to be as good, and I will struggle to get a full season out of them.

+1

my dunlops were great but didn't last as long as i'd hoped. i'm using 888's now and they've been great so far. they're also a lot easier to live with if you use them on the road, compared to the dunlops.

Some really useful information there, thanks everyone.

Based on what's been discussed here I think I'm leaning towards the R888. I'm willing to trade off a little outright performance for increased tyre life and it sounds like the R888 fits the bill.

Steve, does this mean there is nowhere in WA that sells the R888 at the moment? I was hoping to get a set before the next track day (25 March).

I've been running Yokohama Advan A050 which are a big improvement over the A048. They warm up quickly and considering I've been "daily driving" them, have lasted hundreds of heat cycles and still have epic grip

I got them through Wheels World in Osborne Park - 08 9242 8888

They can probably source R888s for you as well.

Yep, the Advan AO50 has been a great success for Autotest/Motorkhana and Sprint event competitors as the tyres warms up very quickly. Great for events that you have to compete on virutally cold tyres. However, this is not the case for doing Barbagallo Raceway. I would be talking to the actual competitors that do well up there.

Some that come to mind are:
1) Kerry Wade who owns Bridgestone Bentley Tel: 9458 4586.
Bridgestone Bentley are also the Bridgestone Motorsport tyre dealer for the state so he may be a little bias ...
Kerry won the Street Car Championship a total of 4 times.

2) Ashley Barnett - state manager of United Oil (WA) Tel: 9359 3994
He has been been a front runner for the last couple of years in his FD3S and won the Street Car Championship two years ago.

3) Steve Lee - head mechanic at KYP Auto and master engine builder. Tel: 9470 3828
Won the 2005 Sports Sedan Championship in a Gemini!

Just keep talking to the competitors up there in the different classes and try Rob Hagerty (owns the Speedwest forum) in the turbo NA8 in Sports Car class for a specific MX5 perspective.

Hope this helps.
Les @ MX5 Shop

New Toyo Motor Sport Tyre Dealers for W.A.are
Racetune, Bayswater. Ph. 08 9371 3333
Ellenbrook Tyrepower. Ph. 08 9296 9967

Steve - Toyo Tyres wrote:New Toyo Motor Sport Tyre Dealers for W.A.are
Racetune, Bayswater. Ph. 08 9371 3333
Ellenbrook Tyrepower. Ph. 08 9296 9967

Just out of curiosity, who are the Vic dealers?

rascal wrote:

Steve - Toyo Tyres wrote:New Toyo Motor Sport Tyre Dealers for W.A.are
Racetune, Bayswater. Ph. 08 9371 3333
Ellenbrook Tyrepower. Ph. 08 9296 9967

Just out of curiosity, who are the Vic dealers?

Reservoir Tyrepower 03 9460 5593
Meridian Motorsport 03 9553 4200

Steve - Toyo Tyres wrote:Reservoir Tyrepower 03 9460 5593
Meridian Motorsport 03 9553 4200

tks..

mx52nv wrote:Hope this helps.
Les @ MX5 Shop

Les, that helps immensely, thank you for taking the time to post. Looks like I've got quite a few options and I think I'll take your advice and talk to some of the quick guys at Barbagallo before deciding what tyre will be right for me.