Boxologist Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 it was being used at a test n tune "Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 6:45 pm Post subject: Wow...this tire has my vote!!! It was brutally cold at the Meadowlands today, but the regular autocross junkies did show up all dressed as if we were ready to shovel snow. Vaino, Drew, Cousin Joe, Mr. and Mrs. Chang, the Brothers Leone and more...It was sort of like driving on ice, BUT if you want to practice and learn Good Car Control, a cold Autocross day at the Meadowlands will do it. You really had to focus on keeping weight transitions to a minimum and be as smooth as you could...one wrong move and you hit a cone...The Proxy 888 was surprisingly grippy in comparison to the V710 and I would go as far to say that for cold weather events, even Better. I will try this tire at a DE event and I cant wait. Rob Szczsney set a very challenging course, a little complicated for the first event of the year, but what the heck...might as well get back in the game... Thanks to GJ Dixon for helping me set up my car and teaching me the difference between Compression and Rebound . He was FTD (in my car on the Proxy 888s ) with a 47.5 and I came in 2nd (as usual ) with a 48.1. Drew had a spectacular time of 50.xx. Cousin Joe about 51.xxx. Steph burned up the course in a Mini Cooper and Chris drove a Really Fast BMW on R comps. John Flynn stopped by to try out his new camera and took some shots with his new 3 foot lens... , maybe he will post some pics... All in all, it was cold but it was Great to be amongst the group of die hard Autocrossers... There is another MSNE event next Sunday and although it will probably be cold it was FUN, and it is Great Car Control Training... Thanks to Michael G. for getting us out there on March 9th...the longer the season the Better... In 2nd Place as usual, 611" i should have my set mid april or may. http://racetire.com/products/toyo_r888.htm fo a vendor. 235 wide in 15" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted March 12, 2008 Share Posted March 12, 2008 there is arumor that NASA members have a $100 rebate on Toyo tires that is expiring this weekend. as I am not a member, i can not verify. If its true and some doesn't plan to buy them. i would be interested in using ur name/discount. edit: supposedly mailers on the way for SCCA members. so just u wait mazda!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 there is arumor that NASA members have a $100 rebate on Toyo tires that is expiring this weekend. as I am not a member, i can not verify. If its true and some doesn't plan to buy them. i would be interested in using ur name/discount. edit: supposedly mailers on the way for SCCA members. so just u wait mazda!. What did I do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 I just ordered the Toyo R888 from http://www.thetireshoppe.com/default.asp?ID=276&sa=y&pagedata=tires . I did the 205/50X15 and 225/45X15 sizes. I talked to Joe there, he told me that Toyo had a rebate of $100 if you purchased a set of 4. They had the best price I could find and were in Pa, so the shipment cost should be ok. I think I'll mount them on the Team Dynamics wheels where my Kumho V710's are. FYI he mentioned the R888 had tread the full depth, and the RA-1 didn't. He said likely you would have a street leagle tire longer with the R888 tire. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Ok legal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scannon Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 I did the 205/50X15 and 225/45X15 sizes. Gary Are you sure on the 225/45? I wanted a lower profile 225 but couldn't find any when I bought mine a couple weeks ago. The listing shows only 225/50-15. They do offer a 225/45-16. Skip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boxologist Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 more vendors "Ordered a set of 255/40-17 R888's ($195/each) from Phils Tire Service and he confirmed he's an authorized dealer. This was easiest for me because he'll be bring the tires to the NASA event at VIR at the end of the month. I'll bring my new wheels and get them mounted there. Saves on shipping. For those that don't have that option, Tire Deals 4 Less has a 5% discount code on R888's right now. When you checkout just put "r888" into the coupon field and and hit update quantity to get the discount. Pretty much covers the shipping costs." http://philstireservice.com/pages/tires/tires_toyo_2.htm http://www.tiredeals4less.com/TOYO_Proxes_R888_C789.cfm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted March 13, 2008 Share Posted March 13, 2008 Skip, I hope they are 225/45X15 as that is what I ordered. Joe said he had them in stock and would ship today. You are correct, they were not listed on his site though. He was a pleasure to deal with. From the reviews they come up to temp quick. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 I have the R888's on the Birkin now. 205/50X15 & 225/45X15. On the first shipment with UPS the 225's were coated with printers ink from a package spill on the UPS truck. Joe sent another pair and I received 2nd day. Great prices and great service. I didn't even need to call and ask. I had to add a spacer to the front fenders brackets to clear the tires, but the rears required no mods. They went on much better than my 225/50X15 KUMHO V710's. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southwind25 Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Gary, what width wheels are you running on the front-rear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted March 23, 2008 Share Posted March 23, 2008 Robert, 7" F&R. I also made some aluminum stone deflectors to extend below the back edge of the front fenders. The V710's would blast the cockpit & rear fenders with stones & sand. I'll let you know how they do. I'm not wild about the looks. If they work well I'll try to get these fenders glassed in or change them out for new ones that are about 8" longer. Too many people here for Easter, to drive it today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted May 16, 2008 Share Posted May 16, 2008 (Revising an old thread) I finally had the new wheels and tires mounted, so thought I would offer up my early opinions on the R888s. For background, before the rebuild I ran 185/60-14 A032Rs on my Westfield. After that I changed to 195/55-14 Toyo T1-S. I made the switch from R compounds in part to prepare for potential rain on USA2005 (we had it!), but mainly because the AO32Rs really lost their grip below ~60F. The car is often driven in 40F weather, so this was pretty annoying. I noticed a couple of things when I made that change. Warm weather grip was down (duh!) but there was a significantly smaller drop in grip between warm and cold weather, and the T1-S gave a significantly more comfortable ride. I’ve heard good things about the R888 when cold, so I recently decided to make the switch to 13” wheels and install 205/60-13 R-888s all the way around. I’ve now driven on them a few times with outside temperatures in the upper 40F range, and I am blown away by the grip. I was hoping to just be in the same ballpark as the T1-S under such conditions, but they stick much, much better on cold roads even before there is any heat put into them. And the ride has surprisingly improved! I’m sure part of this is down to the taller sidewall, but it seems to me that the sidewall is also much softer than the old AO32R, which is certainly a good thing for such a light car. Here is a pic with the new wheels installed (and yes, I did mow the lawn after taking that picture ) http://qa7fkg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pAXUZYTMSZ_FBlCT_IZleqQA7_pC-DXPAAldv7ja3PbE_fpmoAQ1JikN-fmLjUlYLMpgbwbPwABnMPkv7TGg6oQ/New%20Wheels%20800.jpg -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 and yes, I did mow the lawn after taking that picture -John You got your priorities straight :thumbs: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHKflyer52 Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 Here is a pic with the new wheels installed (and yes, I did mow the lawn after taking that picture ) http://qa7fkg.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pAXUZYTMSZ_FBlCT_IZleqQA7_pC-DXPAAldv7ja3PbE_fpmoAQ1JikN-fmLjUlYLMpgbwbPwABnMPkv7TGg6oQ/New%20Wheels%20800.jpg -John Great looking car and the wheels look great. Having lived in the Northwest I bet you mowed the grass before the photo also as I knew in grows and grows when ever the sun is even thinking about coming out but that is why that part of the country it is so green and beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjslutz Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 I also love the dry and damp grip. As TOYO states, watch out for standing water! If you see any shine on the wet roads hang on, you are about to get ready to float, I started to search for the life jackets. The trip to Carlisle and back a few weeks ago with the rain was a trip from hell on the R888s. I think it is the best dry and damp road track tire combo out there though. My RT615's do much better in any standing water and will be on for any drive that has rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted May 29, 2008 Share Posted May 29, 2008 Having lived in the Northwest I bet you mowed the grass before the photo also as I knew in grows and grows when ever the sun is even thinking about coming out This is a great time of year in the PNW if you like to do yardwork. Within a week we went from a few weeds to a carpet of the suckers over a foot tall. My RT615's do much better in any standing water and will be on for any drive that has rain I am keeping my old wheels with Toyo TS-1s as rain tires. -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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