[Torbjorn968]

Looking for an economical tyre alternative for endurance racing. Personally I have been running Michelin Cups which are great in the dry, have a long life but are really bad in the wet together with a high price. On the endurance car (a BMW E 36) we have run Kumhos this year, good grip but when overheated we have had one tire explosion and one tire shifted out due to a big bulge developing on the inside of the tyre. It is the left front which cannot take the beating.

I have also driven Toyo 888s, seems that their dry grip is close to the Michelins with the bonus of a wonderfully progressive grip in the Wet. What are your thoughts on BF Goodrich and Hosiers?

In search for a good budget alternative we will have a look at what is available in the US and which sources would be good to get price down. We would for example be interrested in finding a stock of older tyres which is not accepted at full price in the market. And does anyone have an idea of where we could buy 40 (215/45/17, or 225s) tyres for the next season. We could well consider being a channel for several teams (225 17s is the standard dimension due to the rule) so the search does not need to stay at 40.

Some shots from last years final race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIWTVtG2WeA...feature=related


//TL

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[pmason]

On my 911 this year I switched from Kumhos Victoracers to Nitto NT01's I liked them better, last a lot longer, but that was for DEing.
I just bought the 968 a couple months ago (PCA E class car) and I'm running Hoosiers, even more expensive. But I'm told if you want to be competitive thats that tire to have. I plan on starting club racing next year and its the tire bill that is going to be the killer.
What group do you race with that don't seem to run Hoosiers?

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[Eric_K]

We've been using Nitto NT-01s. They are essentially Toyo RA-1s with a different tread pattern. While not the fastest tire, they are consistent and they can last a whole 12 hour race. Without a well trained pit crew avoiding tire changes can be beneficial. They work okay in the damp too. But any tire that can work in both the wet and the dry is going to be a compromise in both. I use Hoosier Wets for when it is really raining. They are massively better than any 'dry' tire, like several seconds a lap better. Unless you are prevented from changing tires by rule, I would look at a true wet weather race tire for wet conditions.

The other bonus is NT-01s are cheap and don't need to be shaved.
http://www.onlinetires.com/products/vehicl...ial%22+91w.html

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[Torbjorn968]

Found this on http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/track-a...nitto-nt01.html

Both have the same compound and construction since Nitto is manufactured by Toyo. The only difference is the thread pattern/design.

Toyo T1R = Nitto NT555
Toyo RA1 = Nitto NT555R
Toyo R888 = Nitto NT01

If they are simmilar to the 888s then that is good news.

//TL

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