RA1 wear question for Miata guys

CP · Post by CP » Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:33 pm

I just picked up some used RA1s for free. They've got a few sessions (races) on them, but have PLENTY of tread left for HPDEs. I can still see the circumferential grooves on all of them, however they are all worn a bit more on one side than the other, as evidensed by the depth of the little dots on each side of the tire.

These will be used on a Spec Miata next spring, and I'm trying to figure out which way to mount them on my wheels. Do I want the thicker part of the tread on the outside or inside? I've received conflicting reports.

One camp says to keep the beefier tread on the inside bacause most of the time spent on track is going straight or braking.

The other camp says to put the meatier part on the outside, because it'll scrub off faster in corners.

What would YOU suggest I do to get the most life out of these tires? I'll be rotating side to side and front to back every day, but the way the tires are ariented on the wheel won't be changing...

Grippy · Post by **Grippy** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:00 pm

Depending what your alignment is and car setup, I have found that the outer corner wears the fastest, so put the most rubber on the outside. It also pays to flip the tires on the wheels after a few events to keep the wear close from side to side. If you don't you will be throwing out corded tires with lots of good rubber left on the inside corners. Ask me how I know

Tire management is the key to getting the most miles out of them.

If your car is going in a straight line you are not loading or wearing the tires (unless you have excessive toe). High G cornering is what wears them.

Post by **WillM** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:14 pm

Cy,

Without a doubt, put the meat on the outside. The RA-1's like a lot of camber, and you will probably struggle to get as much as you'd like.

The previous started with evenly shaved or new tires. The outside shoulder wore faster than the inside, and that will continue on your car. As Gordon said above, flipping the tire on the rim (to put the shoulder with the most rubber on the outside) will increase its life.

CP · Post by CP » Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:39 pm

Thanks guys. Looks like I'll be making lots of trips to Fastrack Service for Scott to mess with my tires.

cuda6666 · Post by **cuda6666** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:58 pm

I'm not a Miata guy, but I learned this year that although RA1s wear like iron, you need to resist the temptation to run them forever. They do get slower after a bunch of heat cycles. I ran mine in 8 events (about 20 heat cycles) and, although I still had plent of tread by the end of this season, they had hardened up to the point that I was into the ABS braking into every corner. Good all-around tires, though.

mossaidis · Post by **mossaidis** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:41 pm

cuda6666 wrote:I'm not a Miata guy, but I learned this year that although RA1s wear like iron, you need to resist the temptation to run them forever. They do get slower after a bunch of heat cycles. I ran mine in 8 events (about 20 heat cycles) and, although I still had plent of tread by the end of this season, they had hardened up to the point that I was into the ABS braking into every corner. Good all-around tires, though.

Were they shaved before you ran them? If so, to what 32nd?

cuda6666 · Post by **cuda6666** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:44 pm

Shaved to 4:32, as I remember.

Post by **WillM** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:26 pm

cuda6666 wrote:Shaved to 4:32, as I remember.

That is the standard shave, unless you are Brazilian.

zip4zat · Post by **zip4zat** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 8:33 pm

cuda6666 wrote:I'm not a Miata guy, but I learned this year that although RA1s wear like iron, you need to resist the temptation to run them forever. They do get slower after a bunch of heat cycles. I ran mine in 8 events (about 20 heat cycles) and, although I still had plent of tread by the end of this season, they had hardened up to the point that I was into the ABS braking into every corner. Good all-around tires, though.

Forever! Forever!

Eh, run them till all the grooves are gone, then run them some more !! Sure they might not grip as well, but they still grip.. somewhat.. I think I got about a season and a half on 10 shaved (some used) tires and still going. I think I only "corded" 2.

I'll echo Gordon, flipping your tires will make them go longer.

cuda6666 · Post by **cuda6666** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:27 pm

Forty degrees at Lime Rock and hard RA1s do not add up to fast lap times...as I found out

rajito · Post by **rajito** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:31 pm

cuda6666 wrote:Forty degrees at Lime Rock and hard RA1s do not add up to fast lap times...as I found out

Neither does dropping a wheel off at Jihad Alley... I mean... Paddock Bend at Mont Tremblant on a beautiful day.

I second what Joe says. They wear pretty well, and I think they grip the best right before they cord.

Raj

mossaidis · Post by **mossaidis** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:32 pm

cuda6666 wrote:Forty degrees at Lime Rock and hard RA1s do not add up to fast lap times...as I found out

You're not alone on that belief.

zip4zat · Post by **zip4zat** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:34 pm

I said nothing about being fast.. but they will still go and stop... until you're driving on metal bands.

zip4zat · Post by **zip4zat** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:36 pm

well, now that you mention 40*, they will also go sideways a little more too.

Post by **chaos4NH** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:07 pm

zip4zat wrote:well, now that you mention 40*, they will also go sideways a little more too.

and for the afore mentioned reasons, I was content to cruise around at 1:08 so I could drive the car to work on Monday!

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RA1 wear question for Miata guys

RA1 wear question for Miata guys

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