New Toyo R888 Tire

#1

I read the article in this month’s Grassroots Motorsports on the new Toyo R888 tire that is replacing the RA1. They say it’s the same compound with a different tread pattern. I’m wondering out loud what Spec e30 will do in the near future. Will they allow both tires, change to the new one, stick with the old one, or something else? Will the new one work better when shaved, or does the new tread pattern show better wear characteristics from the git go?

#2

Bob Chrystler wrote:

Spec E30 will stay in touch with Toyo. For now, we will stick with the RA-1 until it’s no longer available. At that point, we’ll consider our options.

Carter

#3

Thanks Carter. I’ll add them to my Christmas List :wink:

#4

According to my source inside a tyre shop, Toyo is not producing the RA1’s anymore, so whaterever is in stock until they run out we will be able to get. I’m sure Spec E30 will change to the R888 since it’s what SM is doing, and Toyo still a NASA sponsor.
The compound is similar, not exactly the same, and the thread is the big difference since they want the sport compact crowd to buy them for street use. Shaved should be equal or better than RA1’s, I don’t say this, it’s my source.

#5

How’s the price compared to the RA1… That’s the real unknown I’m interested in.

#6

maybe it is that they’ve stopped making RA1’s in the 17,18,19 sizes that the R888 is available in.
bruce

victor BERAJA wrote:

[quote]According to my source inside a tyre shop, Toyo is not producing the RA1’s anymore, so whaterever is in stock until they run out we will be able to get. I’m sure Spec E30 will change to the R888 since it’s what SM is doing, and Toyo still a NASA sponsor.
The compound is similar, not exactly the same, and the thread is the big difference since they want the sport compact crowd to buy them for street use. Shaved should be equal or better than RA1’s, I don’t say this, it’s my source.[/quote]

#7

FYI:

My family has been in the tire business for a while and I called on a few contacts trying to hunt down the R888 in 205/50/15.

The response I got was that size won’t be available until Spring 2008 and maybe not till around MAY. They wouldn’t give me a price on the new tire.

I am glad we don’t have to move to the R888 till 2009.

#8

I called Vilven Tire yesterday and they said the have them in stock.
Vilven also has the best tire shaving in the business.