boileralum

iTrader: (8)

The RA-1s last longer when they are shaved to start. If you start off full tread, they actually tend to wear quicker somehow (heat management I guess). They are also at their sweet spot right when you can barely see the tread lines any more. Unfortunately they are discontinued, replaced by the R888, which I have no experience with.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

I also drive my tires to the event, so DOT is a requirement. If I wanted the ultimate, I would probably do Hoosier R6s or something equivalent, but I don't want to afford those either. The NT-01 is cheap for what you get, useable on the highway, and damn quick on the track.

And for every set I buy I get $80 off a track day with SpeedVentures, so that's a bonus.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

longer than nt-01? Its too bad these tires are so ******* expensive. I'm probably going to be stuck running azenis again after I burn up this set of 205 nt-01's.

BenR

iTrader: (2)

Don't be silly. At least run bridgestones or dunlops. Way better than the azenis.

boileralum

iTrader: (8)

Last longer (or at least perform better longer) than unshaved RA-1s.

Efini~FC3S

iTrader: (4)

I'm with Ben, azenis are far from ideal for track days. I'd recommend the Hankook Ventus RS-2 (or RS-3 whenever they're available) if you don't want to spend the money on NT-01s. They will last longer and give you better performance than the azenis.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

Hustler, you will try NT-01s, do one day on street tires, and kick yourself for being a retard and buying anything but r-comps. My car was damn near undriveable on RS-2s.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

yeah, but I'm poor. I know you're right.

johnwag

iTrader: (3)

Yeah, I'm sure. I was with Matt in December when he was testing tires. The Nitto engineer told me that the RA1 and NT01 use the same carcass with different tread.

I'm aware of this. I hadn't used RA1's before so I wanted to test them unshaved. Seeing how aggressive I drive and how I aim for fast lap times, I should have shaved them. One of the guys I go to the track with has R888 in a 205/50/15 size on his miata. He seems to like them alot.
You and your stomach are full of feces.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

NT-01s = champagne and ******* trophy bitches in your Motel 6
azenis = Porsche owners rape and spit on you, then K-wall pozzes your car's neg, you go home to cry at your Best Western.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

************, I'm platinum at marriott.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

you're the only person I know to have asked for a mortgage on a hotel room

hustler

iTrader: (6)

No ****, I had 312-nights in Marriot hotels in 2008.

Machismo

iTrader: (1)

My Azenis were absolutely crap for Hallett.... couldn't find grip to save my life coming into turn 2. Hoosiers have been awesome, but have about used up their life. I don't want to spend that kind of monies again for a throw away luxury.
I will be looking into the NT-01 for sure. I will only have 12 miles to drive to the track so DOT is not a necessity, but I can't justify the Hoosiers again.

LowBoostn

For me the Azenis worked well for about 4 laps @ springmountian then they get hot and go to **** :( I guess a better explaination would be greasy. The RA-1's were great but discontinued. Have not tried the R888 yet so no comment. Currently running the NT-01 but have yet to do a track day on them. From what i understand Nitto is part of Toyo so the tire compounds are close to the R888 if not the same. Track Tires are that, for the track. Street tires are for the street so this does not leave much room in the middle. but hoosiers R6, R888 (old RA-1's), NT-01, Yoko A-048, Eagle G-19 are a few recommended tires, but anything less will be a disappointment.

Efini~FC3S

iTrader: (4)

What is the cheapest place to get NT-01s? I'll be ordering a set after the Gov't gives me some of my damn money back.

I'm excited to try them out, they better live up to all of the praise Savington has been giving to them.

Savington

iTrader: (31)

$131: Store

$140, but say they'll beat competitor's prices: Ratings, reviews and specifications for Nitto NT-01 tires

Search around a bit. DTD, 1010Tires, Vulcan tire, etc. The best price is going to be someone that is out of your state (no tax) but close enough that shipping isn't absurd.

ScottFW

iTrader: (4)

Onlinetires.com has 225/45/15 NT01 for $125 which is about the best I've seen. They are in CA.

Efini~FC3S

iTrader: (4)

Oh I love it when you guys do stuff for me.

Now if someone would come finish my MS install for me that would be nice.

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

FWIW, NT01's are equal to R6's in speed but last about twice as long. Which one is faster varies with the environment, fwd, awd, rwd, light/heavy, drivers style etc.

The NT01's in autcross like heat. On the track, they'll be fastest after one lap in warm conditions then settle down to .1~.2 slower than the first lap until you run out of gas. The R6's require a bit more heat, usually getting sligthly better as the laps pile on, up to a point.

Because the R6's are so much more expensive and cycle out faster, there is no point unless your car, setup and driving style really like them and you have the budget. A6's OTOH, are like 1.5~2 sec faster on a typical 1:30 course but they pretty much last one day no matter what the car.

I'm a dyed in the wool NT01 fan just because they don't have to be shaved, are consistent, last and are fast. The 225/45 on 15x9's is such a wonderful combo that I don't really have motivation to look further. I've driven R888's on other cars and smaller wheels but never done back to back comparisons against the NT01's with 225/45's on 15x9's.

Savington mentioned 4-6 days with R6's which I think is the absolute max from what I've seen. I'd predict more like 2-3 days for most guys. NT01's driving a full hour and a half per track a day barely last 4-6 days. The guys who only go out for like :30 a day will get tons of trackdays out of a set.