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What do you guys think about RA-1's?

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Old 07-30-2007, 10:32 PM
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Default What do you guys think about RA-1's?

I have an opportunity to get some very slightly used RA-1's for cheap. They are 205/55/14 and I would run them on my stock daisies. Anyone have experience with these tires? How do they compare to other r-compounds? Would you guys run them?

thanks
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Old 07-30-2007, 11:00 PM
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They are great track tires. Probably the best lifespan of any R compound tire. Not the best sticky wise... but they are a great compromise for the weekend hpde track warrrior.
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Old 07-30-2007, 11:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Splitime
They are great track tires. Probably the best lifespan of any R compound tire. Not the best sticky wise... but they are a great compromise for the weekend hpde track warrrior.
quoted for truth. I really want a set.
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Old 07-30-2007, 11:36 PM
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Ya, after doing some reading on them it sounds like they are pretty long lasting, get better as they age but they aren't the absolute fastest tire out there.

Should be a good tire, I think I'm ready to step up to R-compounds and the price is good.

Supposedly they were heat cycled and then used for one event. I talked them down to $55 a tire, is that a good price for RA-1's that have one event on them?
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Old 07-30-2007, 11:37 PM
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Great tire for the track, like said if not one of the best. Daily ride around tires might not be so promising.
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Old 07-30-2007, 11:38 PM
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that's half price...I sure as hell would not pay a cent more.
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Old 07-30-2007, 11:58 PM
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what are you planning on using them for. For autoX not worth it as they take for ever to heat up, for open track good buy
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Old 07-31-2007, 07:42 AM
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For HPDE stuff, the RA-1 is probably the best bang for the buck. I have been running a set for about a year now and hope to get 8 weekends out of a set.

Most racers shave them, but I ran mine full tread. They are fast up to the point they cord and they aren't truly fast until you cant see the tread pattern anymore.

I wouldnt be scared to buy takeoffs from race teams, that's probably what i'll do after these are dead.
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Old 07-31-2007, 09:06 AM
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I second the YES vote and the comments. It's the perfect tire for track events.
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Old 08-01-2007, 12:10 AM
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Thanks guys, I'm planning on buying them. I'm going to try to talk them down a little bit more.

I'll be using them for track days, I don't really autocross much.

How long do they take to warm up though? We have an "autocross" that we run on a .6 mile "road course" (kart track) and we do three laps, 1 warm up and 2 timed laps. Do you think I could warm them up in that first lap? This is the only autocross event I do and am wondering if I should try and run the RA-1's or just use the RS2's I have.

Thanks
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Old 08-01-2007, 08:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Efini~FC3S
Thanks guys, I'm planning on buying them. I'm going to try to talk them down a little bit more.

I'll be using them for track days, I don't really autocross much.

How long do they take to warm up though? We have an "autocross" that we run on a .6 mile "road course" (kart track) and we do three laps, 1 warm up and 2 timed laps. Do you think I could warm them up in that first lap? This is the only autocross event I do and am wondering if I should try and run the RA-1's or just use the RS2's I have.

Thanks
Run the RA-1's. I have autocrossed my RA-1's and they were actually pretty good.
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Old 08-01-2007, 11:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Efini~FC3S
Thanks guys, I'm planning on buying them. I'm going to try to talk them down a little bit more.

I'll be using them for track days, I don't really autocross much.

How long do they take to warm up though? We have an "autocross" that we run on a .6 mile "road course" (kart track) and we do three laps, 1 warm up and 2 timed laps. Do you think I could warm them up in that first lap? This is the only autocross event I do and am wondering if I should try and run the RA-1's or just use the RS2's I have.

Thanks
at least 2 laps at hallett or MSRc to get heat in them. Many people say not to use them for autox...which differs from many in this thread.
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Old 08-02-2007, 07:30 AM
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Originally Posted by hustler
at least 2 laps at hallett or MSRc to get heat in them. Many people say not to use them for autox...which differs from many in this thread.

I will say this, If they are FULL tread, I probably would not autox on them. If it is hot, they may chunk the out outside edges. Other than that, they worked fine for me at a "fun" day autox where times really didnt matter.
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