Matt RX8

After about 25 track days with my RX-8 on street tires, I finally decided to take the plunge and buy some r comps.

I took the car out last Sunday with a new alignment and some 245/40R18 BFG R1's and the results were phenomenal. I was able to take 3.5 seconds off my best lap time at a local track that I already know pretty well. I'm sure with some more experience with the R comps I'll even be able to take more time off. The alignment, R comps and upgraded brakes (Hawk HT-10s on both front and rear) really helped the car hook up, carry more speed and stay even better in the power band. I saw as much as a 5 mph increase in my exit speeds on some of the corners. In addition, I found the BFG R1's to be very easy to handle. Even after they lose grip and the back end breaks away, it was very easy to catch the car.

Anyway, just wanted to share how much more impressed I am with the car with the addition of the sticky tires. I can't wait until next season to get out there again. Someday, I'll have to get back to autocross as well and try the r comps in competition.

Oh and I agree with everyone that said R comps are addictive.

dozer

iTrader: (3)

wow...now i want some just for street use

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

I have a set of NT-01 Nittos for the street They are really sticky......not the best for wear though

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

dan i will be running the nitto 275/35/18 on a 9.5 rim on the track in a couple weeks. any hints? Pressures? I am thinking at starting with a hit the track pressure of 38 and work from there. I have a moderate street good aligment. Have very good even wear with the smaller hoosiers and RA1's. I have seen others wear the outside edge of this big tires easily.
OD

Spin9k

I've tracked RT-615s that size on 9.5" rims and what I found was that you needed markedly less pressure than using 245/40 NT-01s on a 9" rim. An RT-615 is not an NT-01, but still w/that much wider tires there's more patch width and the NT-01 tire sidewall is stiffer due to being an R-Comp & the short 35 sidewalls.

I'd start 34-36 and see where the pressure rises to, plus watch the scuff marks on the edge on the NT-01s. There are a series of little triangles on the sidewall edge near the tread that appear to me to be indicators of how far you should see scuff marking. If your scuffing just touches those - you're OK, elsewise - raise the pressure a tiny bit. I've found 40-44 hot to be good for the NT-01s, bleeding excess as necessary between runs in 255/40 size. You might want to stay closer to 40ish. I'm on coilovers w -2R / -1.6F alighment.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

That sounds OK...I ran 40-42 hot and found them good. I have more -ve camber in the front than Spin...about -2.6 and about the same in the back.

It will depend a lot on the track what the tire pressures do from there....

This time of the year I'd start about 34 and see where they are at the end of the session

olddragger

iTrader: (3)

thanks guys sorry for the highjack.
I will keep yall informed
OD