I have 3 track days in at Beaverun and would like to move up to Toyo RA-1 rubber. I've searched previous posts but remain uncertain in a few areas.

Many of you have aftermarket rims so I am do not know the actual offset you have and how it relates to tire clearance issues. I have read about the differences between the size listed on the RE050 vs the actual size I should purchase if I were to replace them. I've read the autocross sticky stating 235/45-17 on the front and 275/40-17 on the rear. Is this also the size recommended for track days instead of auto-x? Will I have clearence issues using this size in the rear? I read one post suggesting fender rolling was required for a particular setup. I would rather no go that far unless you convince me it is the only way to nirvana... Maybe I'm way off base and should max the rear at 255/40-17, but then wander around worring about proper stagger... I am stock MY2004 AP2 rims.

Oh yea, do you think I'm crazy to try to street these? If I save the aggressive driving for the track will I make 5000 miles?

Thanks in advance for the advice. As you can see, I really need it.

 

It will depend on how many of the 5000 miles will be track miles. It will also depend on how hard you push them on the track and on the street. If you puss around town and drive like a wuss on the track. You can get 10,000 miles on a set of RA1s. If you drive like Aaron Bitterman then you won't get 1000 miles from the RA1s. But if your a wuss like me then you drive on the RA1s on the street you'll get 5000 miles (I wish I get 5000 miles on a set of RA1s).

 

Wow I didn'tk now that the RA1's could last that long on the street. I was a little worried about driving them out to autocross which is 90 miles each way to the event (180 miles/day plus the autocross runs).

Do you guys think they will last 100 autocross runs and about 10 trips back and forth to the event (1800 highway miles).

 

I think it should last that. I drive them to the track all the time and Willow Springs Big track or Button willow is much harder in 1 weekend then 100 autocross runs could ever be. I figure I'm doing 4~6 20 minute sessions so around 40 or so laps a day at the track. That's around 100~150 miles on the track pushing the car pretty hard. Do you think the Autocross run is more then 1/2 a mile long?

 

I run AP1 rear wheels on the front and 245/45/16. For the rear, I use a CE28N(17x9 - +63) and a 255/40/17. The oem rear wheel has to be milled out to fit the front hub, but it allows for a wheel that has a +65 offset.

You could always find a set of used AP1 wheels(usually between $200-$300) and use those. The good part is that 16" tires are little cheaper than 17's. If you don't have a heavier front bar or wing, you could go 225/245 for sizes. Have them shaved only to a bit(6/32") so they don't chunk on the track. You'd actually still be able to use them on wet conditions, but not standing water.

I've been running around on my RA-1's. I notice folks don't follow too closely to me on the freeway/streets. I'm a rock-thrower.