LateBreak

Funny, I was just thinking about how much I love endurance racing vs autocross

LateBreak

FWIW, we ran the new Z2 SS at NCM last weekend. 255/40-17 front and 275/35-18 rear. All 4 drivers including myself really liked them both in the dry and wet. It was a diverse group of cars, but we set FTOD both days on them. Autocross may be different since you don't have to worry about wear, but overall I think they're a worthy successor to the Z1, and far better than the Z2. Wear was perfect right down to smooth, no chunking, feathering, or anything of the sort. Great tires...

Xian

IMO, some of you are making a mountain out of a molehill. The Dixie Tour showed a good spread of different tires at the front. Are the Bridgestones the "tire to have" this second? Yeah, probably but that's equal parts "good tire" and "they've got contingency available". It's not like the Dunlop and the Hankook turned to complete crap overnight. For anyone NOT doing a ton of Tour's and Nat's, I haven't seen real evidence that you have to be on the Bridgestone to win. Unsurprisingly the biggie is driver skill/talent (still).

Christian, who always enjoys hearing how much folks love to cling to their R-comp ideals.

hklvette

You mean its still not about the car and/or what parts are on it?

justkickin

True, but my dilemma is I am on the previous gen Z2's that won't last the season and registration opens for Spring Nats next week. Would rather not go down there on last years Z2's and if history repeats itself (which it never does right...lol), the 315 Rival-S won't be available until September.

I am thinking seriously about pulling the trigger on the Re-71R square 275's, mostly because well Sam and availability (in that order). At least then I can drive down on them. Driving down on that short Z2 would kind of suck.

talon95

aaahhh, we still need driver skill. Dangit!

And I still like R-comps, just my bank account that complains...

Xian

The distributors (TR and Phils) are stating the 315 will be out at the end of the month...

talon95

I hope BFG does a better job with supply this time. They did move production from some truck plant to motorsports tire plant or some such thing, so that may help. (fingers crossed)

http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthr...=1#post1576036

justkickin

They said that the first year of the current Rival as well. Gotta love the preseason. Lol

Xian

The difference being that they've gotta have enough out to meet eligibility requirements this year and they've got a much smaller population of tires for the line (10 of them).

strano@stranoparts.com

Probably because that is where the R1 compounds are born. Do the math. Supposedly way faster. They certainly squeal less, I was running the Solo Trials at the same time and it was a marked difference.

I think you have two street tires that are 200TW R's now. Insert laughter here. It won't end here, and I suspect both will like to be shaved.

talon95

Yea I've been pretty pessimistic about this too and have posted as much before. Their track record sucks in supplying tires. I guess I'm just hoping they'll get it right this time.

Xian

Nah. The Rival-S comes "pre-shaved" with 7/32nds.

BTW, anyone know the tread depth for the RE71R? I'm assuming it's a more traditional 8-9/32nds?

troyguitar

Tire Rack specs say 8/32nds - looks like the RE71R is more hardcore than the RE11 (no surprise really). I really like my RE11's as an all purpose tire, it's too bad they're outclassed in dry performance. They feel great wet and dry.

Xian

Looks like the 720 won't be a Corvette tire initially...

SteveC68

Is there any word on whether or not the RE-71R is going to be available in wider sizes than 275? Was kind of hoping it would have the same size range as the RE-11

Xian

Yep, word is "no". Per feedback from TR earlier and my (and other's) conversations with the Bridgestone guys at Dixie, the 275 is the widest that's coming here this season. There's a long shot that they may release a 285/30 18 next season but even that is iffy. They said that, at this time, there were no plans to offer it in big sizes like the RE-11.

383

Did you ask why they hate the c5/6?

Xian

Yeah, they said they don't make tires for "mullet mobiles".

Seriously though, I never expected them to bring over a tire size that wasn't part of their Japanese market roll-out (which went up to 295, links are earlier in this thread). From a corporate standpoint, they're looking to see what the market would comprise for an OE fitment 285/30 and 295/30 18. The Bridgestone guys mentioned that the 285/30 is OE on a couple 911's and might make it here next season. Maybe. And only because it's an OE fitment size. In JDM-land it appears there's just not much appetite/demand for the steamroller tire sizes we're looking for which means they're not likely to make them for just the US market...

PS
I'd imagine that they've also got plenty of RE-11 sales data to pull from and have crunched the #'s on cost to manufacture wide sizes vs. anticipated sales.

dhowdy

Made a huge *** of myself on the bridgekooks on the practice course at El Toro today. Spun twice in a row on my first lap into the grass. Made a shock adjustment, spun again in a sweeper with steady throttle. Car would turn in great, lots of front grip, then my rear end would just go flying by me I expect interesting things for tomorrow. Might end up throwing kooks on the front to decrease front grip and balance the car and make it driveable again.

B-stone reps at San Diego told me that a 305/19 should be available next year. Time will tell if that's even relevant with whatever else comes out by then.