R888 found wanting by SCCA Spec racing...

#1

has this been posted and discussed yet? I guess RA-1 IS still being made…

http://www.scca.com/newsarticle.aspx?hub=1&news=3661

#2

I saw this yesterday and was wondering if anyone else had seen it. Obviously, SCCA and Toyo have acknowledged that there are problematic issues with the 888’s that are serious enough for the SCCA spec miata’s to get rid of them and bring back the RA-1’s. This should be brought to the attention of whoever makes these types of decisions for Nasa Spec E30.

#3

If you cared about Steve D’s xmas present, you would have seen the thread about this over here: http://spece30.com/component/option,com_kunena/Itemid,86/func,view/id,38190/catid,16/

:wink:

#4

ummm, RA1’s are already re-allowed in Spec E30 as well as R888’s
Some of the issues with R888’s and Spec Miata could be car-specific and driver-attitude-specific.
cheers,
bruce

bodeecat wrote:

#5

leggwork wrote:

[quote]ummm, RA1’s are already re-allowed in Spec E30 as well as R888’s
Some of the issues with R888’s and Spec Miata could be car-specific and driver-attitude-specific.[/quote]
The announcement is that SCCA Spec Miata is using the RA1 exclusively in 2010.

#6

yes I know
How does that change what I said? Are you saying we should have clarity on what will happen next year?
bruce

#7

I think it’s the news the RA-1 will be in actual production that is news. Weren’t we all assuming current RA-1 supplies were existing stock? I know I was.

Since this is a Spec series, it should have a Spec tire. Allowing two different ones for perpetuity would be counterproductive. So yeah, the question is will the R888’s be phased back out again?

#8

I would support a rule change that allowed us to use any tire we wanted.

#9

that is one of the good things about running E2 in the SE, you can run any tire…but I think Spec e30 needs one tire…I would vote for a toyo T1R or something along those lines…but it will never happen…

Al

#10

Gasman wrote:

I like an open tire rule because it provides a great opportunity that can be exploited through testing and spending. :wink:

Aside from my true philosophical belief that a spec series should have one spec tire, Toyo’s longstanding relationship with those at the top of NASA make “open tire” a pipe dream.

But if it happened, I’d go purple in a heartbeat. Especially in the rain.

Steve D.

#11

leggwork wrote:

Yes. The RA1/R888 NASA dual tire allowance is only good 'til the end of 2009. So in 2010, absent of any change, we’d go back to the R888.

SCCA speccing the RA1 for 2010 puts momentum behind going back to the RA1 in NASA too.

#12

I would also like to see the RA1 come back. They were a good tire and lasted a long time. I have not heard a lot of good about R888. I still need to buy tires as soon as my car is finished. I will keep hoping before I am comitted.

#13

Man I don’t give a darn what tire we’re on as long as it’s cheap and we’re all on roughly the same compound & tread pattern.

#14

While NASA National has been a strong supporter of Spec E30, and we appreciate that support, Spec E30 was surprised that the decision was made to allow the RA-1 along with the R888 tire this season, with no discussion with Spec E30.

We will be back to one tire and I will stay in close contact with NASA National on this issue. Later this season (not too much later) the Spec E30 Regional Series Directors will discuss how we will work with NASA National. If you have an opinion, we hope you will post on the forums and/or will contact your Regional Series Director.

While the “dual spec tire” program this season has not been a significant issue at the track, we still believe in having one spec tire for Spec E30.

Carter

#15

If it wasn’t obvious, I vote for RA1 for 2010.

Any spec e30 tire decision should heavily weight cost as a factor. Based on longevity, the R888 is at least twice as expensive as the RA1.

#16

Is it safe to assume that we will be on some type of Toyo? Due to the long-standing relationship between NASA powers that be and Toyo, that is my assumption.

If that is a given, I’d like to know what compound they are going to use. I think that’s a bigger deal than the tread pattern. I believe we were told that the R888 was the same compound as the RA1 but had a tread pattern that would squirm less under hard braking. I think it is fair to say that the numerous butt dynos and fingernail durometers have concluded that the R888 is not the same compound as the RA-1 we all know and love (or tolerate).

Will we get the same RA-1 that we had in early 2008?

If the SE30 PTB’s are open to other tires, I would love to see a tire test. Whatever the current version of the Hoosier R6 is, that’s the one I would put my money on. They, like the R888, like to have a heat-cycle-and-rest routine for the best durability and consistency. They grip like a lap 2 R888, but they handle some abuse/slip angles like an RA-1. They have the stiff sidewall/positive turn-in characteristics of the R888. They give out purple baseball hats. What’s not to love?

Steve D.

PS - I like Toyo’s contingency program, though. :wink:

#17

LOL @ hoosiers for the spec tire… :laugh:

edit: i think nitto nt01’s would make a great spec tire

#18

Hoosiers Contingency program is pretty sweet for NASA.

3 people in class - win = 2 free tires.

If I recall.

#19

IndyJim wrote:

[quote]Hoosiers Contingency program is pretty sweet for NASA.

3 people in class - win = 2 free tires.

If I recall.[/quote]

per day i think…pretty sure if there are 5 in class, 2nd place pays 1 tire per day…very sweet contingency deal…

#20

dmwhite wrote:

[quote]IndyJim wrote:

[quote]Hoosiers Contingency program is pretty sweet for NASA.

3 people in class - win = 2 free tires.

If I recall.[/quote]

per day i think…pretty sure if there are 5 in class, 2nd place pays 1 tire per day…very sweet contingency deal…[/quote]

http://www.hoosiertire.com/NASAawdg.htm

Includes enduros. Max 4 per event though, so I’m guessing if you win Enduro + Sprint + Sprint, you still only get 4 tires. “Only” 4 tires… Doesn’t say if they are new or scrubs though :silly: