Toyo RA1 - R888 - The Ford Focus Forum

**lapp4sm** · 08-12-2009, 01:34 AM

Does this announcement include Spec Focus?

"The National Auto Sport Association announces it is renewing its longtime partnership with Toyo Tires; extending its contract for an additional three years beginning January 1, 2010. As a part of this extension, all NASA spec tire classes will be going back to the Toyo Proxes RA1 as the required tire. This will become effective January 1, 2010"

**Ted7rns** · 08-12-2009, 10:25 AM

We're going to look into it, but I think so. We have a different situation then the other Spec Classes because Toyo doesn’t make the RA-1 in the size we would like to use.

**Ted7rns** · 08-12-2009, 10:35 AM

It's is my understanding that Toyo is going to be putting all RA-1s back into production, because it much easier to do that then to fix the R888s. Right now nobody knows the future of the R888s is.

We do know that NASA went toe to toe with a Toyo and said if you want our business then you will give our racers the RA1 back. They did.

Other series said the RA-1s were faster then the R888s, our series was different because we went to a wider tire. So, our times really didn't change much.... It does seem that the R888s didn't last as long as the RA-1s.

**InFocusTraSTi** · 08-13-2009, 11:15 AM

I would suguest 235/40/17 toyo ra1!! that is what I have been using for track days and autoX! Also fits ok in the 17x7.

**sleeperlove** · 08-13-2009, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InFocusTraSTi

I would suguest 235/40/17 toyo ra1!! that is what I have been using for track days and autoX! Also fits ok in the 17x7.

Expensive, taller, and pinched on a 7 inch wheel. Probably no more contact patch than with the 215s on a 7 inch wheel. The cars haven't been much if any faster on the 215s likely because they are heavier and taller than the old 205s, 235s would just be wasteful on 7 inch wheels.

**CCapaldi** · 08-13-2009, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleeperlove

The cars haven't been much if any faster on the 215s likely because they are heavier and taller than the old 205s

Actually, I've been running right round the track records with the new 215 tire and actually set one at Grattan. In my case with the 2.3 we have been given more weight, lost our TB, and the 205's made a better drive ratio, so I feel the new tire has performed quite well?

Like sleeperlove said though, the 235 might be a bit wide for the 7" rims, plus their rather tough to fit in the wheel wells with our offset.

**Ted7rns** · 08-13-2009, 01:11 PM

We tested the 235 size tire in 2005. It was too heavy and didn't fit very well on our 7" rims. We also had some tire rub on our thicker Dynamic Struts. I'm sure the tire rub will even be more with the new lower springs.

08-12-2009, 01:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
lapp4sm TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 384	Toyo RA1 - R888 Does this announcement include Spec Focus? "The National Auto Sport Association announces it is renewing its longtime partnership with Toyo Tires; extending its contract for an additional three years beginning January 1, 2010. As a part of this extension, all NASA spec tire classes will be going back to the Toyo Proxes RA1 as the required tire. This will become effective January 1, 2010" __________________

08-12-2009, 10:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ted7rns Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thousand Oaks, California Posts: 4,646	Re: Toyo RA1 - R888 We're going to look into it, but I think so. We have a different situation then the other Spec Classes because Toyo doesn’t make the RA-1 in the size we would like to use. __________________ 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 Malibu Blue Last edited by Ted7rns; 08-12-2009 at 10:40 AM.

08-12-2009, 10:35 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ted7rns Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thousand Oaks, California Posts: 4,646	Re: Toyo RA1 - R888 It's is my understanding that Toyo is going to be putting all RA-1s back into production, because it much easier to do that then to fix the R888s. Right now nobody knows the future of the R888s is. We do know that NASA went toe to toe with a Toyo and said if you want our business then you will give our racers the RA1 back. They did. Other series said the RA-1s were faster then the R888s, our series was different because we went to a wider tire. So, our times really didn't change much.... It does seem that the R888s didn't last as long as the RA-1s. __________________ 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 Malibu Blue Last edited by Ted7rns; 08-12-2009 at 10:47 AM.

08-13-2009, 11:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
InFocusTraSTi TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 241	Re: Toyo RA1 - R888 I would suguest 235/40/17 toyo ra1!! that is what I have been using for track days and autoX! Also fits ok in the 17x7.

08-13-2009, 01:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ted7rns Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Thousand Oaks, California Posts: 4,646	Re: Toyo RA1 - R888 We tested the 235 size tire in 2005. It was too heavy and didn't fit very well on our 7" rims. We also had some tire rub on our thicker Dynamic Struts. I'm sure the tire rub will even be more with the new lower springs. __________________ 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 Malibu Blue

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