HPDE Tire Downgrade from RE71R
 

Hello,

I've driven through a few sets of RE-71Rs and I've loved them. I think I'm getting faster and ruining the tires quicker. When I was using RE11s, I figured they could last about four weekends. When I heard they were being discontinued, I tried the RE-71Rs and felt significantly faster. I estimated two track weekends after trying them for the first time -- I was amazed at the wear rate.

I probably just set my personal best at MSR Houston on new RE-71Rs and I am pretty sure the fronts are already done -- even flipping sides probably won't allow them to last another weekend. The rears might last another weekend if I flip sides, but I've never roasted them this hard before so I'll have to take a closer look this weekend.

I'm considering purchasing harder tires so hopefully they last more than one weekend. I don't mind losing a little bit of time so long as the performance is still within "extreme performance tire" category. So if RE11s were still going to be available I'd try those again.

Not too sure if I'm deluding myself thinking I can step down in performance and get more tire life. My intention is to keep pushing harder and improve my skills at the limit "qualifying style" for now. I am pretty sure my driving style is overly harsh on the fronts, judging by the mistakes I make.

Perhaps I'm looking at this all wrong and I need to just fix my driving? Or perhaps I just need to accept that at this pace my tires will only last one weekend at this track? Maybe it was just really hot and this should be expected?

I was looking into the new Bridgestone Potenza S007A, or Advan AD08R. I have a 2012 Nismo, and I'd probably go down to 275/35 R19 on the rear.

I've been running 41 psi hot in the front, 39 psi hot in the rear. -2 deg camber in front, and I don't remember rear but for some reason I think -1.8. Roll over is good, probably could allow for a little more.

The car just has the typical track reliability stuff done, no engine mods. I have SPL upper control arms for the front.

If it provides context I ran 1:48:08 MSR Houston CCW. With no traffic in front of me I am running between 1:49s and 1:50s generally.

The pictures are representative of what the fronts look like right now. These particular pictures were from a set used over two weekends.

What do you think about moving to a less grippy/soft tire?

Thank you for your help.

https://i.imgur.com/YT2u4vF

https://i.imgur.com/Jf5V2G2

https://i.imgur.com/YT2u4vFb.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Jf5V2G2b.jpg

You can have one but not the other. Grip or mileage. Chose one. The faster you go. The faster the tires wear out. And everything else.

Think you're at the point where slicks might be better for you. Or quit doing trackdays.

When I was doing trackdays with my bike. I would go through one set of tires every weekend.

Yeap, this is what has been said about he RE-71's. They wear out quick. Most track guys go with a Square setup and one of the benefits is more tire choices along with curing the understeering issues. I would look at running Nitto's or Toyo R888's.

This is a hard decision. I looked at getting a used set of 18" rims and run dot tires but at the rate I was planning on going it didn't save much per year to deal with the hassle. So I'm sticking with what I have and trying to drive better, I know my steering inputs could be smoother among other things.

R71 are a great tire but they are soft and sticky. Time attack guys will run them only for one session because they go away that fast and there times start to drop off. There are a number of cheaper tires that are just a tad slower but last longer. I highly recommend going g to 18" wheel setup to bring down the cost of tires and increase the number of tire choices. I am running Nitto nt01. They are probably not any slower than r71 at my stage of driving right now but they last many sessions more than the r71s. They also get better as they wear down. Many go fast guys swear by them. Other offerings are Nexgen and Maxxis as I have heard good things about them.

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I run indy 500's (340tw) and keep up with others on re71r's on track without issue.

No disrespect but that really doesn't mean much without context. I run in HPDE 4 and I am faster than some on slicks. Indy's cannot compete with re71 head to head with a driver with a high skill level.

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:ugh2:

Good for you, now let's get back on topic.

Thanks for your help, gents.

Here are some of the options I've come up with your feedback:

Get 18" wheels -- might as well go with a square setup if I'm buying new ones. Figured I'd run 275/40, with the half baked reasoning that I could perhaps compare my progress to some NASA TT4 cars. Would I mount this on a 10.5" wheel? That seems to be popular in other threads. NT01R is available in this size. I haven't searched for nittos before but Summit is offering a set for $1200. I haven't searched for wheels but I can see this paying out pretty well if the tires last longer. From your own experience, could you estimate the relative life?

Rusty - When you refer to slicks, are you referring to something like Michelin competition slicks? Or do you mean something like Hoosier A7 or R7? I recall an instructor telling me he could get 40 sessions on his 350Z, though they definitely lack performance at that point. I don't know which tire they were. With longevity like that I believe this might fit my application well. What are some other considerations I should have regarding slicks? Wheel bearing wear, bushings, engine lubrication?

Stick with my current wheels - R888R are available in 275/35ZR19 and 285/35ZR19. This would keep the overall diameters close to what I have now, and be more square. However, the different ratio of tread width versus wheel size makes me wonder if there's an important detail I'm missing. Do you guys have any comments on this? Cost would be 1325 from tire rack, which is more costly than RE71Rs, but if the tire life is better then it will certainly pay out.

I examined the tires this afternoon. They are definitely worn, but I have some hopes that maybe I can flip them and make it through most of my next track weekend. The rears will certainly make it. Definitely would benefit from more camber. The next weekend is a five hour drive from me so I'd have to play it safe. Any idea how much rubber exists between the bottom of the wear groove and the belts?

https://imgur.com/BKqqaZy

https://i.imgur.com/BKqqaZyb.jpg

This is a picture of the front left tire.