Toyo RA1?

[Jim Knoke]

Anyone know a vendor for these tires in San Diego County? I also wonder if anyone will be selling them at the Festival of Speed?

Also, any thoughts about whether these tires need to be shaved, how they perform, etc. would be appreciated.

Thanks, Jim

[kary]

I know that Jack Miller does not shave them. You might get the details from Jack.

[Jad]

Express Tires is the only place I know of in SD and they usually have to order them.

I do not shave them, though the blocks do squirm a bit when new. Especially for an AX, but a big track it may not matter as much.

[harnishclan]

According to the Toyo Website, Prestons Tire and Wheel in La Mesa is one of the authorized dealers.

Preston Tire & Wheel
8300 Center Drv.
La Mesa, CA 91942 Tel: (619) 460-8311

[Mike]

Some RA-1 info on this thread, http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=203760

[Jim Knoke]

Jack says he does not shave them, and they do not chunk. Web chat seems to suggest that a day or so at the track improves the grip of a full tread depth tire quite a bit. I am torn between having them shaved a bit (to say 6/32", for $15 each) or shaving them myself on the track. A "local merchant" would have to order the tires (it would take him a couple of weeks to get them, and he does not shave) and was a good deal more expensive than a mail order guy (who is in Vegas, has the tires on hand, and does shave).

Thanks for your thoughts.

[David Ray]

Express Tire - Rosescrans use to give discounts to the 944 Spec guys you may be able to piggyback on this deal. I've also purchased through Discount in Santee for the same price.

[richard]

I bought some 225/something/15 from Chapman BMW in Phoenix. Shaved for about $130 including freight as I recall. Speedy delivery.Had them mounted at Discount Tire on Miramesa who said they could also have gotten them for me, although we did not discuss price.

[kary]

I can get them for you too, the issue is the pricing is much better if I buy 5 to 10 sets. If people want to get together to get some sets I can work out a deal. Otherwise 1 set at a time is hard to get good pricing.

[bibbetson]

I've been using them for 7 months now and they definately get better with age. I'm sure they are not as fast as V710's or Hoosier's but I can't tell the difference between the RA1 and Victoracer. My times have been much better on the RA1's but my car setup changed a lot as well. I figure (non scientific) that I'm getting 50 - 100 percent more life out of the RA1's than the Victoracers.

I got mine from Jerry at Discount Tire (Genesee Store).

[Jad]

I need a set and would be up for a group buy for Fontana. I need 275/40/17's and about $160 seems the approx price.

[bibbetson]

I need 4 x 255/40/17. Come on, lets all pile on and get a good deal on some tires!

[martinreinhardt]

After looking around, comparing prices and asking for a Porsche Club Discounts , I was able to get a good deal at "Discount tire ,2887 Jamacha Road, El Cajon" I ordered my tires 2 days ago. I should have waited but it takes 2-3 weeks to get these Toyo RA1's.

The downside they won't shave or heatcycle them, but from what I understand only about 40% of the racers shave them and 60% of the racer use them at full thread.

[Jim Knoke]

The best prices I have found are with BMW_Wheels@ChapmanChoice.com, which is associated with a BMW dealer in Scottsdale. They will shave ($15), although I may pass on that option. They say the tires are available, although I don't know if that means they are in house or they would have to order them.

[Jackie C]

I'm in on the group buy. I need 4 Toyo 225/50R/15s. Let me know about pricing.
Thanks,
Jackie