RA-1 being phased out?

#1

there is a discussion over on bimmerforums about some first-hand reports from talking to Toyo reps at SEMA that Toyo will be phasing out the RA-1 in favor of the R888 …
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=622063 towards bottom of page 1 and onto 2

cheers,
bruce

#2

:pinch: :huh: :dry: :ohmy:

#3

and the prize for the best use of emoticons, goes to …

sharkd wrote:

#4

leggwork wrote:

[quote]and the prize for the best use of emoticons, goes to …

sharkd wrote:

Cool. I already got "Best Looking SpecE30 (other than Carlton, who wasn’t on-hand), as judged by an 11-year old girl."

#5

sharkd wrote:

[quote]leggwork wrote:

[quote]and the prize for the best use of emoticons, goes to …

sharkd wrote:

Cool. I already got "Best Looking SpecE30 (other than Carlton, who wasn’t on-hand), as judged by an 11-year old girl."[/quote]

Well I have eye witnesses that say your were giving her left over halloween candy. :ohmy:

#6

Start hording up RA1’s boys. :wink: I’m sure we’ll migrate to R888 should the RA1 get discontinued.

#7

I don’t see that tread pattern working too well in the wet.
Hopefully it is in addition to the RA-1.

Rob

#8

RJME wrote:

The bf thread claims that Toyo reps at SEMA indicated it will replace the RA-1 over the course of 2007.

Does anyone have the number/email of one of the Toyo reps from Nationals, etc – to get an answer from the horse’s mouth?

#9

This does look like a sketchy rain tire.

#10

That, and Toyo’s own literature says not to use it in wet conditions due to it’s propensity to hydroplane.

#11

sharkd wrote:

yea I saw your post on bimmerforums haha. Sooo if this does happen will we need another spec tire for rains? I’m assuming Toyo has thought about this due to there involvement with NASA.

#12

^^ Yeah, that’s why we need to get a solid answer from one of the Toyo reps, rather than relying on hearsay about what a SEMA booth jockey might have said.

#13

sharkd wrote:

agreed

#14

Let’s all stay on top of it.

Thanks guys.

Carter

#15

Directly from my contact at Toyo…

Carter,

We introduced a new race tire at SEMA called the Proxes R888. However, it will take time to expand the available sizes in this new product. As a result, the RA1 will not be phased out in 2007. We will continue to sell the RA1 in addition to the new R888. In fact, the RA1 may not be phased out until the end of the 2008 racing season. But it will eventually be replaced with the R888. All NASA race classes that currently spec. the RA1 will continue to do so at least through the end of 2007.

Please note that the R888 is simply a refinement of the RA1. It has a stiffer carcass construction, but utilizes the exact same tread compound as the RA1, so it will be just as durable and consistent. However, the new R888 starts at a shallower original tread depth of 6/32" instead of 8/32" like the RA1.

#16

Yeah but how much more will they cost?

#17

I wish Toyo would get its story straight:

I’m curious if they’re also planning an RA1-compound rain tire, or if their Aussie division knows something about tread design that their Japanese parent company doesn’t.

#18

sharkd wrote:

[quote]I wish Toyo would get its story straight:

[/quote]

right below that in the pdf it says "great aquaplaning abilities." I think they just added the statement you quoted above to cover their butts if someone used them on the street and aquaplanned (sp?) into a tree.

#19

There will always be some sort of durability inexpensive track tire to use. I wouldn’t worry about it too much. With a little testing when the new versions of companies tires come out it will be easy to choose a new one.

#20

robweenerpi wrote:

Don’t forget that Toyo has a nice contingency plan though, so sticking with them would be the way to go unless a new manufacturer could offer what Toyo offers.