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Like the title says I need to get a new set of track day tires. I know there are a lot of tire threads out there, but I didn't want to bring one back from the dead and tire models have changed a bit in the last few years. I have narrowed it down to either the Toyo R888r or the Hankook RS4. I am not worried about street manners since I have another set of wheels/tires for that and I bought I trailer this year so I will not be driving the car to the track. Does anyone have any first hand experience with either of these tires on the S197 chassis?
I do not have first hand experience; but from talking with people at track days lately, the RS4's seem to be the hot setup for a tire that is close to the RE71R's in performance but also has decent life
Thank you for the response. I understand that the RS4 is close to the RE71 with better tread life. They are in the same performance category and are popular for HPDE and competition classes that are limited to a 200 tread wear tire. The R888r is in a different class than either and a true R compound tire. I am trying to decide if it is worth it to step up from the 200 tread wear extreme performance summer tires to a race tire. The money isn't that much different, but I am worried about tread life and tire feed back close to the edge. Will the R888r talk to me before it loses grip or will it just have grip until it lets loose with no indication. How do they compare in consistency on the track during a session? Will one get greasy before the other during a 25-30 minute session?
I think that depends on your goals for the tire. If you want a quick tire which will last 6-8 track days then RS4 is the one.
if you want ultimate grip and even quicker pace, and are ready to replace after 4-5 days then R888.
I ran the RS3 and was pleased with them on my Mustang. On the M2 I started with factory Pilot Super Sports, and now I’m on Cup2s. I like the Cup 2 A Lot. But they cost major bank.
I have been told that the Cup 2s are great but not enough better than the R888r to warrant the price. I run with NASA SE a bit and they seem to love the Toyo's. I have stayed in the 200 tw category up until now since I was driving the car to the track.. Since I bought a trailer that is no longer a concern, so I can run whatever I want. I don't think that I am ready for slicks yet, but I want a bit more than the Nexen's I have been running. The price differential between the RS4 and the R888r is negligible, so I am leaning that way. Just trying to get some opinions on why to choose one or the other before placing an order this week. So far it looks like I will make the leap to the R compound and try the Toyo's next.
I have been told that the Cup 2s are great but not enough better than the R888r to warrant the price. I run with NASA SE a bit and they seem to love the Toyo's. I have stayed in the 200 tw category up until now since I was driving the car to the track.. Since I bought a trailer that is no longer a concern, so I can run whatever I want. I don't think that I am ready for slicks yet, but I want a bit more than the Nexen's I have been running. The price differential between the RS4 and the R888r is negligible, so I am leaning that way. Just trying to get some opinions on why to choose one or the other before placing an order this week. So far it looks like I will make the leap to the R compound and try the Toyo's next.
One more thing to consider. When I ran with 3 ***** Racing a lot of the guys bought scrubs (used slicks) from race teams for S197. I know you said you're not ready, and it will definitely brake away more abruptly, but since you have a trailer something to consider for half the cost of Toyos.
I have a friend in Atlanta that was running scrubs from Ferrari Challenge cars on his 2012 Mustang. They gripped great but didn't last long. I will have to ask hime where was buying them since he sold the Mustang and started racing spec miata.
Well, I decided to give the Toyo's a try. Here is a pic versus my street tires (Bridgestone SO4 pole positions. I didn't get a pic of them versus the Nexen NFERA SUR4's that they replaced for the track.
Last edited by EF1; 9/13/20 at 12:55 PM.
Reason: Fix link to picture
that's a lot of rubber contacting the road, interested to hear how you like them . . . and if they give you some audible warning or other cue before they lose grip
I am anxious to find out how different an R compound is then a max or extreme performance street tire. I have run a couple different sets of the Bridgestone S04 Pole Positions in 275/40/19 (280 UTQG). Then I moved up to the Nexen NFERA SUR4 in 275/35/19 (200 UTQG)with a more aggressive brake pad. I was looking for a 285 wide tire for the new 10" wide rims I bought, but got a really good deal on the Nexen's, so I gave them a try. They gripped better than the S04's and didn't get greasy as quickly, but I found the limits of them pretty quickly. I ran them for 6 track weekends and can't complain too much since I only paid $800 for the set. They had a little bit of rubber left on them, but I didn't feel comfortable with them holding up for the 3 day event I have planned in early October. I don't think I am quite ready for slicks yet, so this is the next step in the progression. I will let you know how they are on the track next month.
8/28/20, 06:03 PM
