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Grenadiers · Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 10:46 pm Post subject: R888 vs. RA1

Looking at shodding the CGT cloner with one of these two tires. I can get a new shaved set of RA1s from one of my AZ 944Spec friends for about 700 bucks delivered. They have moved to the RR version. Or, for about the same price, plus freight, are the R888s. I plan on using the car on our country roads, and on the track. I'm leaning towards the R888s since they are street and track rated. Whatcha think?
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'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke

Rasta Monsta · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 11724 Location: PacNW

The triple 8s have an astonishing amount of grip for what they are. I think they compare quite favorably to RA1.

I probably would not drive around on shaved rubber, though. . .would be pretty easy to lose one due to road hazard issues.
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Toofah King Bad

WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

emoore924 · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 2815

In talking to some of the 44 cup guys, there seems to be some sort of problem with the RRs. Something about rubber splitting a-x the tread and tire failures as a result.

Do your homework before you buy.

I've used and enjoyed RA1s for many years. They last for many heat cycles and get better and better as they go down to the cord. There are tires that run faster, or stick better. So if you want the last 1/10 choose something else. But as far as I'm concerned, for a DE tire or budget racer, for the money, the RA1 can't be beat.

Grenadiers · Posted: Mon May 06, 2013 10:16 pm Post subject:

For my beater-class car, I chose the R888s, they should be here tuesday. I wanted the Direzza Star Specs, but they don't have them for 15" wheels.
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'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke

joewest · Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 234 Location: Portland, OR

I have seen a number of R888 do funny things on our platform, from tread splitting to full-on blistering and tread-edge separation. Good grip but seems to be a bit fragile. RA1's have always been great for us.

We have been having a lot of fun on Hankook R-S3's and they wear like freaking IRON with pretty darn good grip. Great price point as well. Set of 4 $500+shipping on tirerack.com!
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'79 924 Supercharged / Track Prepared
'80 931 Daily Driver - Sold
"The number of posts in my profile may represent the number of times I have screwed something up...and admitted it here."

Grenadiers · Posted: Fri May 10, 2013 3:09 am Post subject:

Say it ain't so Joe! They look pretty good stacked in my machine shed at the moment!!!
_________________
'83 944 Track car.
'88 924S Track car.
'89 944 Turbo
2004 Winnebago Vectra monster RV
2012 Jeep Wrangler
2014 Kia Soul
2001 Ford F350 powerstroke

joewest · Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 234 Location: Portland, OR

No doubt they are sexy bitches! I think if you take care of them on the track you will be fine. The failed tires were absolutely tortured...(OVERLY)aggressive driving and no cool off session, etc. There are just as many drivers who absolutely LOVE them.

Rock'em!

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'79 924 Supercharged / Track Prepared
'80 931 Daily Driver - Sold
"The number of posts in my profile may represent the number of times I have screwed something up...and admitted it here."