Long a fixture in amateur motorsports, Toyo Tires has excelled in finding unfulfilled niches. The company was among the first, for example, to recognize the import racing scene of the late ’90s, developing the Proxes RA-1 in suitable fitments.
How good was that tire? Some 25 years later…
We live in wonderful times when a 200TW "street" tire can wax a "previous generation" 40TW RR compound tire around a race track.
I've spend a lot of time driving the Toyo RR tires (and loved every lap) so it's nice to see the new Toyo R pick up the torch and run with it.
That said, seeing how the RE-71RS perform makes me think I've got to try a set for track days.
Being essentially on pace with the 71RS is a nice step up, but if it still lasts a bit longer than the 71RS on a heavier car (and/or experiences less heat soak during DE) that'll really make it another great option.
In reply to QuikMcshifterson :
TW numbers are as clear as mud, with no recognized scale across the board. Basically, each tire manufacturer sets the number on their own tire because that's what they think it should be.
Do we have any idea how long this new Toyo Proxes R can be expected to last? How does the wear rate compare to Super 200s?
Spec3 does not have a space between "spec" and "3" in the name of the class. Thanks!
I'm looking forward to 2025 with the new spec tire in Spec3; I was a big fan of the RR as a spec tire. I think it will also make for some interesting experiments for the ST/TT guys with the RC1 being a +1.6 tire, the R a +1.0, and the 0 modifier R7.
Huh ... I did not expect those results. Maybe it's time to retire the Toyos and head to a set of Bridgestones. Then also get into the new XS class instead of SM.
For those considering the RE71RS over the Proxes R, something to ponder is pace consistency over the life of the tire. The RE71RS will be substantially slower at full tread, maxxing out pace somewhere around half-tread and lower. Details here.
The Proxes R already comes at that lower depth, so it will have none of the tall-tread, squirm-induced pace killers of the Bridgestone.
Of course, you could simply buy your RE-71RS's shaved to 4/32 and skip those slower full tread laps. That added cost also brings the price of the two tires closer.
QuikMcshifterson said:We live in wonderful times when a 200TW "street" tire can wax a "previous generation" 40TW RR compound tire around a race track.
The RR isn't even "previous generation" that tire hasn't changed in a long time.
Though it's worth noting, as a spec tire - no one I know of racing in a spec series cares about "absolute" pace - we care about behavior through a sprint session, how tough they are to being overheated, and how long they last since everyone is on the same tire - the RR was fantastic in those regards. We're lucky in NASA spec miata we get to run the RR one more year, I guess we'll see where we go after that.
accordionfolder said:Though it's worth noting, as a spec tire - no one I know of racing in a spec series cares about "absolute" pace - we care about behavior through a sprint session, how tough they are to being overheated, and how long they last since everyone is on the same tire - the RR was fantastic in those regards. We're lucky in NASA spec miata we get to run the RR one more year, I guess we'll see where we go after that.
But, but, but...the F1 guys seem to think it spices up the racing when tires are finicky and also fall off a cliff during a race. 
accordionfolder said: We're lucky in NASA spec miata we get to run the RR one more year, I guess we'll see where we go after that.
I agree, in a spec series if everyone is on the same tire, overall pace is irrelevant. But I think there are better (and less expensive) choices than the Toyo RR for SM.
In reply to QuikMcshifterson :
Agreed, but there are also worse and more expensive options ;)
Most spec tire decisions are a combination of suitability, durability, consistency, pace and...most important...willingness to partner with the sanctioning body. That last one costs the partner money and usually whittles down the list pretty quickly.
Taylor Johnson said:Spec3 does not have a space between "spec" and "3" in the name of the class. Thanks!
This seems to be an ongoing problem....lol
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