Total TOYO shortage

[Bradicus]

I/we have found TOYO 225/50/15 to be in very short supply.

We are considering Nitto NA01 225/45/15 and Hankook in the POC Spec class.

Has any discussion be forwarded here.

I'm sorry if I missed a post, please redirect me.

Brad

[PeanutinCA]

Brad, I hadn't heard anything on any tire debated for future consideration so, unless I'm mistaken that might be a slight mis-interpretation?

 

But with that said, what is the latest with the RA-1? Aren't they fazing it out?

 

P.D.

[944-Spec#94]

Brad,

Have you contacted Byran at Toyo's Only here in Az?

 

I think he has plenty of 225/50 R15 toyo's.

 

Phone is in a sticky at the top of this forum.

[PeanutinCA]

Joe,

is the RA1 being phazed out? What was that story I heard somewhere?

 

P.D.

[Bradicus]

Brad, I hadn't heard anything on any tire debated for future consideration so, unless I'm mistaken that might be a slight mis-interpretation?

 

But with that said, what is the latest with the RA-1? Aren't they fazing it out?

 

P.D.

 

Dylly,

I should have said it was discussed at the last POC STS, I cant remember, did you come?

Many of the spec'ers were concerned over the faze-out. I first heard of it then.

 

HOWEVER, Bryan has just given me the scoop;

TOYO is fazing out the RA1 but not for 2 years.

It will be replaced by the "R8 88"

 

Bryan is covered up in 15" RA1 so there you go, a hot rumor goes to deep and farms it.

 

Cheers mates,

Brad

[944-Spec#94]

Joe,

is the RA1 being phazed out? What was that story I heard somewhere?

 

P.D.

 

Yes,

Replacement tire will be the TOYO R888. Form what I have been told it has the same compound with a different tread pattern. Based on this and other reports I figure it will retain the long life aspects of the tire and might provide more grip with deeper tread. Downside is more road noise which won't impact racers any and I am not sure how it will impact wet performance.

 

Right now the R888 is availble in Europe and other places in limited sizes. In the US the tire should be here this summer time in limited sizes.

 

We will need to deal with an eventually ending of the RA-1 tire supply. At some point we will need to develop a transition plan. My guess right now is that we will still have all of 2007 with RA-1's and a supply of them into 2008. Not sure about 2009 although we may need to get some R888's when the come out and do some testing. Right now I think it would be the leading candidate for the RA-1 replacement spec tire being the same compound.

 

The good news is that we are not along using the RA-1 as a spec tire. There are many many other happy RA-1 spec classes that will also need to make a transition.

[Tim Comeau]

Brad et al,

Sounds like I got a hold of Bryan just after you did! Good on you for going to the source and getting the CORRECT info.

There is no Toyo Tires shortage. Bryan has 3 sets in his hands right now, and more importantly, following a quick phone call to Toyo, we found out that they have 200 tires in our size.

Bryan has always given exemplary service and has been generous to a fault with all clubs using TOYO's! Free tires make 944 racing cheaper and a lot more exciting! When you couple this with the rebate check program, I can't see a reason for changing tire brands.

The existing relationships that our class has with both TOYO TIRES and Bryan Shackelford at TOYO"S ONLY would seem to make the R888 an exceptionally strong candidate to take over when the RA-1's are phased out.

CHEERS!

[Toyo Guy]

Hey everyone,

 

Just a quick note to let everyone know what the deal is with the RA1. I have been on the phone with my buddys at Toyo and the Ra1 WILL be the remain to be the spec tire until the contract time is over. At that time the R888 will be the replacement to the RA1.

 

I will be getting a set or two of the new R888 in the coming months for testing for a spec 944. Toyo did confirm with me that there will be no change until the contract with the specc 944 is done. The complete phase out of the RA1 as of today is over a year out. The R888 will be the replacement if sanctioning race body allows and will still be "Toyo Bucks" awardable.

 

From the testing that I have seen and been a part of, the R888 will be a better tire than the current RA1. It will come from the mold at a 6/32" debth v.s. the current 8/32" debth. It will have better bite also. The tire for best results will need to be shaved also.

 

Should anyone have any questions please feel free to contact me, and I will give any info that I have currently.

 

Thanks everyone for the time.