New tires, what to get?

[eyemaster]

So, the time has come to replace my R888's.

Need to be able to do track time (lapping) and Solo2. A compromize tire. I don't mind getting R888 again, but apparently, Star Spec are good too. I wouldn't mind going stickier than R888, but I know that v710 wouldn't work as lapping and solo2 tires, they would die after an event or 2!

Suggestions?

[gregor]

NT-01 maybe, I'm currently using them, better than an RA1 or tripple 8 for me.

[sfong]

The NT01 and R888 are essentially the same tire. Toyo makes them both and they are the same rubber compound. The tread pattern is different, and the carcass construction might be a little different.

Starspecs are almost as grippy as R888 when "cold" so really good for street tire autocross. The R888's are stickier warm and almost definitely more durable for a 30 minute session on the track.

Kinda depends on if you care more about autocross, lapping or street driving. You got a tire tail, so assuming that you got two sets of rims for summer tires, you have to decide which application to compromise. If you got 3 sets of rims then no problem, then a tire for each application. I personally wouldn't get two sets of street tires and would use the second set for a specialized track or autocross tire. Since you got a light car and modest power you could go with a softer compound tire, which might be the reason why Miata guys in general don't seem to like the R888's.

[luker]

I'd recommend talking to other Miata owners that have the same platform, power levels and driving style. Each tire is completely different from one car to another. What might work really well on a Mustang may likely not translate well. What works really well for Miata would not necessarily work well on a heavier car that does more breaking on track and autocross.

The point I guess is talk to people that have a similar setup and get their input.

[gregor]

what flavor compound does the NT01 use compared to the 3 flavors available in the r888?
I thought NA got the harder of the R888's?
same for Nt01?

[sfong]

I believe it's the hard compound. Of course my knowledge is the Internet kind, so use at your own risk

[eyemaster]

This won't be for street driving at all. I already have my sDrives for the street and I like them.

Stricktly for Autocross and Lapping. If I didn't have lapping, the choice would be easier. For R888, we get them for less than 200$ a tire at Talon including the MCO discount + Toyo race discount + taxes. That's a good price. Unless the NT01 are cheaper than that, I might just stick with the R888.

I wouldn't mind options tho. If we had R888 3g, choice would be easy.

[gregor]

speedmerchants, part of kanata Ford, sells the Nt-01 now. It's not a street tire either, give em a call.

That is a good price for the R888, and if they last two seasons then you'll be ahead.

[sfong]

The other options I know of are going to be more expensive than the Talon/racer discount deal. Assuming that you don't want ultimate autocross tires (that's V710 or Hoosier A6) some R-compound track tires are:

- Advan A048, OEM for Lotus Elise so should be OK for Miata's. Noted for sharper handling (stiffer sidewalls) and have medium and hard compounds. Expensive though.
- BF Goodrich R1. Think Grassroots Motorsports had these as faster than the R888's. They have the two groove tread, so not a rain tire.
- Hankook Ventus Z214. Mortgage Geoff really likes these on his STi. He seems to have a line for deals on these. They are also a two groove slick.
- Hoosier R6. The road racing version of the A6. Two groove slick, just going to assume that it'll have awesome grip and associate less durability.
- Michelin Pilot Sport Cups. These are really expensive, and require a lot of work to heat up. Probably too hard for a Miata.
- Bridgestone has R's in Japan. Some JDM shops import them plus all the other brands and compounds.

[runwhatyabrung]

I have been using the same A048 for the 3 season (205-50-15 on 15 x 7 Kazeras). They have survived 1 day at Shannonville, 3-4 days at Calabogie and 1 autocross. There is 1 day of lapping left in them. They feel good once warmed up and have nice even wear. Not an Autocross tire

[ZOOMiata]

I'd be really curious to see a Miata on Star-Specs -- I've been really impressed with the speed people are getting on them.

[schmoo]

I have 17" star specs on Ginger's stock rims. Great daily driver tire, but I don't think the Miata is heavy enough to bring out the tire's best for autox. Comparing to how the Specs performed on the Mazda 3, there is no comparison -- the 3 would get them hotter and there would be much more grip on tap much sooner. For lapping, the Star Spec on a miata would likely do great. However, I don't think there is a 225/45R15 to fit in the Star Spec, nor the RE-11, nor the RE-01R.

I've also loved the Hankook R-S3, which you all know about. Call TireRack to get the RS-3 even if its not on their website. You're welcome to try mine.

Nitto NT-01 has gotten good reviews from MSM guys in the states running 9" 6UL.

The R888s are doubtlessly great tires, but as you know, for my style, and my car, they've been less than optimal.

[eyemaster]

Excellent, thanks for the choices guys! sfong, your list is great. The hunt is on!

I'm wondering if I should try one more day at calabogie with my bald R888 (with ghosts of thread on them). If they do wear to the cord that day, I can always finish the day with my s-drives.

Would that be too risky? Stock NA Miata, how much danger of a tire failure?

[catana]

I run the Star Specs on my S2000 and think they are the best all around tire for the money. I have done 4 autocross this year and 3 track days at Calabogie and there is still a lot of tread left. As mentioned earlier they are not going to be as sticky as the R888 but will last a lot longer. As for the durability at the track that was questioned earlier, I have had absolutely no problems and am interested to hear more about where Steve found that info. Lastly, in terms of heating the tire up due to the weight of the car, i have had no issues. S2000's usually weigh in about 2700lbs not sure how your miata compares depending on the year. Also based on what i have read the and experienced the Star Spec was designed to heat up quickly and give consistant grip. So far i am half way through a season and have no complaints.

Bottom line, for competition use any one of the R compounds mentioned above, but for lapping days you can't beat the Star Specs.

Cheers

[DEye]

I just got a set of Star-Specs on the Miata and they have much more grip than the Falken's I was running - not sure about how they compare to the RS-2 I had before.
Have to wait for an event.

If you can afford two sets it might be best to get dedicated tires or your going to have to compromise Or eat throught one set of tires faster...

[sfong]

I run the Star Specs on my S2000 and think they are the best all around tire for the money. I have done 4 autocross this year and 3 track days at Calabogie and there is still a lot of tread left. As mentioned earlier they are not going to be as sticky as the R888 but will last a lot longer. As for the durability at the track that was questioned earlier, I have had absolutely no problems and am interested to hear more about where Steve found that info.

It is interesting to know about the StarSpec's on the track. No real data on their durability, other than typically when street tires overheat the rubber chunks off destroying the tire. Easy to overheat a street tire at the track. Sounds like the StarSpec's have a larger operating temperature. How much grip did they lose after the heat cycles?

[davet82]

have you considered or try ordering RA1's from Talon

performance, bang per buck, long lifespan, good to very good for all weather

[catana]

As for loss of grip due to heat cycling, I haven't noticed to much at autocross. I haven't been back to the track for over a month so not sure about how they feel there. That being said i am not the most experienced driver out there so suttle changes in grip are not going to be picked up as much by someone like me. However, i was talking to Glen Clarke (a very good driver) about them last time out at Bogie and he had used them for some testing sessions and said that they were very consistant throughout the entire day over many sessions. If things change my next time out at the track and they start to come a part i will update the forum.

[GoesFilled]

FYI - the 225/45-15 Nitto NT-01's are 181 at Speed Merchants. AND they're in stock.

Not a bad price when you consider they're in the $140ish area from Discount Tire.

Christian - if you're lapping, I'd use the 888's and if / when they blister, have them swapped at the track for NT01's.

As for R888's - nearly all the racers I know hate them, and they only use them as they sponsor the series and they're cheap.