mx5cartalk.com

So I am currently trying to hunt down a set of R888's and it got me thinking, how and where does everyone source their R-specs or S-specs? Do you go direct to the distributor, or do you go to your local shop (is it a dedicated motorsport place, or is it a civvy place?), or maybe you import them yourself?

In W.A. Wheels World Sponsors the MX-5 club's autokhana and sprint series, most members return the favour and buy R comps there.

mitch_f1 wrote:So I am currently trying to hunt down a set of R888's and it got me thinking, how and where does everyone source their R-specs or S-specs? Do you go direct to the distributor, or do you go to your local shop (is it a dedicated motorsport place, or is it a civvy place?), or maybe you import them yourself?

It could be worth updating your profile with your location.
It would allow location specific information.

Mitch is in Sydney. But I wouldn't mind knowing where Canberra people source their tyres from too.

OK, in Sydney:

Dunlop : Gary’s Motorsport http://www.garysmotorsporttyres.com.au/

Kumho : FSport is the National Distributor , http://www.fsport.com.au/
Peak Race Tyres is the NSW Distributor http://www.peakrpm.com/

Toyo: Blairs @ Peakhurst 9584 2777, also many other local's. http://blairstyres.rtrk.com.au/?scid=73 ... 7803039943

Yokohama, Avon, Bridgestone: Gordon Leven @ Emu Plains 4735 4500 http://www.gordonleven.com/motorsport/index.php

Dont discount looking overseas. www.tirerack.com is the place to go for Aussie buyers, lots of people here use them and save a fortune.

For R888s in Sydney try getting a quote from Taleb Tyres at Arncliff. http://www.talebtyres.com.au/
My last set of 205/50R15s from there last year was a grand.

manga_blue wrote:For R888s in Sydney try getting a quote from Taleb Tyres at Arncliff. http://www.talebtyres.com.au/
My last set of 205/50R15s from there last year was a grand.

Taleb is related to Tempe Tyres, who've been reported to be involved in parallel imports. A number of years ago they originally only had R888’s in “Soft” compound and sold a motza to the turbo Nissan brigade for road use. Toyo posted a warning on their Aussie web site about the purchase of these tyres and their unsuitability as a road tyre.

Charlie Brown wrote:

manga_blue wrote:For R888s in Sydney try getting a quote from Taleb Tyres at Arncliff. http://www.talebtyres.com.au/
My last set of 205/50R15s from there last year was a grand.

Taleb is related to Tempe Tyres, who've been reported to be involved in parallel imports. A number of years ago they originally only had R888’s in “Soft” compound and sold a motza to the turbo Nissan brigade for road use. Toyo posted a warning on their Aussie web site about the purchase of these tyres and their unsuitability as a road tyre.

A month ago PEAK had a sale of Kumho Tyres for members of car clubs,
Here's a cut down version of tyres suitable for the MX-5 from their specials list,

Mid Year Motorsport Stocktake Sale
Save up to 50% while stocks last
Type ...Application .....Size ...... Sale Price.. Save

V70A R Spec Circuit 195/50 R15 (Hard) $175 ..$160
V70A R Spec Circuit 225/45 R16 (Hard) $220 ..$105
V70A R Spec Circuit 225/45 R17 (Hard) $215 ..$130
V70A R Spec Circuit 245/40 R17 (Hard) $250 ..$230
V70A R Spec Circuit 255/40 R17 (Med) .$260 ..$240
Email: info@peakautomotive.com.au
Phone: (02) 9683 5511

R888s are true R-specs, i.e. road legal track tyres. So you can legally use them on the street but I would never recommend that anyone should do that. They're harsh, noisy, fast wearing and have poor grip when cold and almost zero grip in the wet. On the other hand they're brilliant, grippy, long wearing tyres for the track.

The tyres I bought from Talebs were genuine, fresh GG compound R888s - the right Toyos for MX5 track use. Given what you said about the Nissan brigade I'd say the problem with Talebs is the absence of proper advice rather than the tyres themselves.

But they are certainly parallel importers, as the only authorised distributor of Toyo in aus is Blairs Tyres

Nevertheless, GG compound R888s will give the same lap times whether you buy them from the authorised distributor or not. All you asked was where do we buy our tyres and I told you.

Not directed at you Mitch but there's no point in making brand name or source of tyres a question of political correctness. Capitalism 101: a parallel importer is simply a company that threatens another company's monopoly supply position, usually by limiting the latter's ability to control price.

Not at all; I was merely clarifying that point. I don't care where they came from, so long as they are a recent build date and the right tyre.

The tyres I bought from Talebs were genuine, fresh GG compound R888s - the right Toyos for MX5 track use. Given what you said about the Nissan brigade I'd say the problem with Talebs is the absence of proper advice rather than the tyres themselves.[/quote]

Quick question.
What hardness rating does the GG denote.
I have a set of Yoky A048s that came from Demon Tweeks $165 each landed and delivered to my local PO in 5 days from the order being placed.
Easy shopping

Dammmmm! What size, and how much for ao50s?

Dann