Toyo R888 or Nitto NT-01?
 

I'm going to Laguna Seca for three days of DE/Time Trials (Aug 24-27) and need new tires. I have a set of barely scuffed Toyo R888's in my garage. For the fastest times, should I mount up the R888's or buy a new set of NT-01's?

1999 Spec Boxster BSX. GT-3 adj front control arms. PSS9 shocks/springs. GT-3 front sway/Tarret rear sway. Racing seats/harnesses. Racing alignment: http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/35845-suspension-upgrade-week.html

Why not R6's

It may be apples to oranges, but NT01's have been fantastic autocross tires

If you expect any rain at all 888s. Bone dry/hot, NT-01s. Target lap time??

Use what you have in your garage...

Use what you have in your garage...

No rain expected. Target lap time low 1:50's. I'd like to get under 1:50 but that might be wishful thinking!

NT-01s hate rain, 888s hate heat. In their element they are dead even in terms of lap times. Choose wisely.

POC-BSX track record at LS is 1:47.98 (Drake Kemper). Definitely doable with favorable weather and a clean lap. Good luck and keep the shiny side up! :D

Im telling you Stone, use what you have in your garage...

I think you should be able to get under 1:50
Spec Boxsters are usually a little faster than my (daily driver) 986S and my best lap is a 1:49.00 (on Victoracers)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohn19b9eTpA&list=UUG-kiXxktSjDizvi1L8VOWw&index=7&feature=plcp

Two questions for POC guys: What color run group are the BSR Spec Boxster cup racers in? Does POC email out a registration confirmation before the event? I'm attending but all I've seen is the color-coded schedule on the POC site.

My many personal efforts in a '98 Boxster at Laguna Seca over the years can be summarized:
- 2:00 as novice newbie in 1999.
- Best effort 1:50 with Victoracers and all else stock daily driver, race seat.
- After suspension upgrade to PSS9, best effort 1:46, also on Victoracers. Typical laps 1:47-1:48.
- Now in Spec Boxster form in 2012, but slightly heavy over spec weight, stock muffler, stock soft PSS9 springs, on RA-1's: consistent 1:47's, a few 1:46's, and best of 1:45. A day on R-888's was at least 1 second slower, turning 1:47-1:48, could have been the conditions or the tires or the driver. I know I have to learn the new limits of the 300 lb lighter and cage-stiffened car, but it doesn't feel very different to me.
- When I find time I'll have the stiffer spec springs installed, try to drop 70 lbs to meet weight, and put on a lighter muffler that should make a little more power and also be audible. No excuses at that point. :)

Not sure about this POC event but BSR usually runs in Orange race group. POC-BSR track record is 1:42.9. Running 5 seconds faster than a top BSX car sounds about right.

Gentle suggestion: Get your car to 2650# and leave the springs alone. ;)

Thanks for all the input! I decided to use the Toyo R888's in the garage. Had them mounted and balanced yesterday.

I'll let you all know what I think of the differences between the NItto's and the Toyo's after I get back from Laguna.

Just got an email back from the registrar saying I/we are the Green run group.

Got the car back from the paint shop, so it no longer has an unpainted white roof, primer gray roll cage, and semi-sprayed factory interior. Much nicer! Hopefully the new paint doesn't add much weight. :)

http://986forum.com/forums/uploads01...1345623259.jpg

I hear that a painted roll bar is worth +18hp. Just a rumor. :D

I am off to Monterey in the morning and will post some lap times on Friday night.

trygve - look me up at the event. I'll be parked with the HRG team and several other Spec Boxsters.

What's in Monterey?

Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.


Have a blast Tom. Looking forward to the times and video (s)?!


I'm soooooooo envious!

Best time so far is 1:53 in my BSX. Still hoping to shave off some time tomorrow. BSR's are running around 1:46/1:47.

Trygve - Will says that he's sorry, he says that he never saw you on the inside in Turn 9.

Great event so far. Did a 1:46 in every practice and qualy session. Good on consistency, not so good on making improvements!

Definitely my most intense race to date simply due to so many "identical" cars together turning such close lap times. Never a moment of rest, flag to flag. Started 7th of 15 Spec Boxsters - Dave was on pole at 1:44.8, I was 1:46.1. Awesome first three corners, passed three cars. Those three got places back from me later, but two later spun in front of me at different times, and Dave's transmission broke while leading on the last lap (hmm, that's exactly what happened to me at the PCA Club Race at Laguna in April), giving Mark the win, while I finished 4th. Super fun.

was a great race to watch with all of you guys going at it!

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...m/DSC_6602.jpg

http://i1089.photobucket.com/albums/...m/DSC_6102.jpg