Is there anyone running Bridgestones RE 11's as a dual use tire... street/track?

Anyone?

Thanks,


Mark

 

I know at least two people who do. They both like it very much.

 

I'm not running RE-11s but I am running Yokohama Advan Neovas as a daily/track tire, and they are closely comparable to the RE-11s. But I won't be using them in the winter months. Neither the RE-11 nor the Neovas can handle cold weather.

 

In your opinion, would you run the RE 11's on a set of 17's and use them as a dual setup or just keep them for the track.

I can still run my 18's with the Yoko S drives for the street and swap the RE 11's with the 17's when I hit the track.

I live in NC so cold weather isn't an overly big issue.

Thoughts?

Mark

 

RE-11s on 17s would be fine for combined track/street use. I'm an advanced DE student, but only track 1-2 times a year, and I don't really feel a need for R-Comps with tires like the Neovas or RE-11s. But I won't use them once the temperature dips into the 30s. They get rock hard and loose all their grip.

When I wear my Neovas down I plan to switch to the RE-11s so I can try them out. They are both about as fast as each other.

FYI: I also use the Neovas on longer road trips (e.g. St. Louis to Sebring). I'm driving on them to Petit Le Mans day after tomorrow (600 miles each way).

 

I too think RE 11's are as much as I need/want. A set of dedicated R compound tires would just get me into trouble. I'm only a blue level DE student and don't want anything more than RE 11's.

I'll keep my stock runflats and mount them on a set of S lites for long drives. I know you do the 600 mile trip with non runflats and I have also but I'd be much more comfortable on my long trips knowing I at least had runflats.

I'll order a set of RE's for the 17's and probably just sell my 18 OZ's with the Yoko S drives.

Thanks for your help.

Mark

 

I throw one of my winter wheels in the boot for the long trips, but mostly for my wife's peace of mind. As far as non-runflats go I normally just pack a mobile patch/plug kit. For any kind of tire failure (i.e. catastrophic) where that won't work, runflats won't help either.

 

This year, I used up two sets of Z1 Star Specs with daily driving and Track so these kind of tires are capable of both. The great thing is that I am also set for wet track driving as well.

The two friends who use RE-11 also use them for both.

What level is blue? Not sure how the colors relate for different clubs.

 

OC,

Forgot to mention, these types of tires do lose traction when they are hot (>210 degrees F). For me, this would equate to about 16-18 minutes on the track. The last few minutes of the session can be pure bliss with 4 wheels drifts, lots of oversteer etc...

 

white-novice
blue-intermediate
black-advanced
red-instructor
pink-girls?


When you say this year you used (2) sets, how many track days are you doing?

I only do about 10-12 DAYS (not weekends) worth of events.

Thanks,

Mark

 

Each tire set with rotation last about 7000 - 8000 miles and about 9-10 track days.

The Z1 seem to chunk and tear apart due to heat, way before the wear bar indicator so they were replaced. I can still run the worn tires on the street for perhps another 4000 - 5000 miles.

I do about 20 HPDE days +/- a year.

In blue, you should be putting pretty good wear on the tires.

What tire pressures do you run?

 

Wow, with as much driving as I do (it's nothing for me to put on 30K a year and I've got two other vehicles plus a motorcycle) using these tires as daily drivers may not be for me.

I may be better off just keeping them as track tires.

I'll bump the air pressure up to 38-39 cold...it'll usually end up at 40-42 after heating up.

Mark

 

I think the RE11 supposed to be slightly better, looking at my friends cars with them on. I do run the Dunlops Z1 Star Specs and I do have a tendency to shred them more than others because I like to rotate the car to reposition it.

Make sure you do not go above 43 psi hot on the track. I start at 32 psi and in goes up to 42-43 psi fronts.

 

If you are starting to push your tires on the track, you just plain can't guess on pressures. You need to use a probing pyrometer (not laser) and check the tires when they are at track temp (i.e. do a half dozen laps at speed, and pit to get tire temps). The temps should be used to determine your pressures. Not guesses, and not what others use for their cars.

 

What are your hot tire temps? Outside, middle and inside for all four after a run?

 

IIRC, in the 170-185 range. I don't keep records. I usually start out with recommended pressures (38 lbs. on my JCW) and adjust. I usually adjust by a couple pounds down. The front right heats up the most so it gets lower pressure (I run on a roval at Gateway International). There's a banked oval turn I take at about 100 going on the the front straight. That gets my front right pretty cranked up. Every track, every car, every setup is different. That's why you have to measure pressures yourself and not reply on what others say.

 

About 180 F is near best grip for many tires. I run temps a little higher about 220 F Outside to 180 F inside on the fronts. Does not seem to matter that much what pressure (between 30-36 psi) I start with or which track. At NJMS last week, I ran with a MX5 Cup professional racer and he runs about the same but on his r-comps.

 

Oops, I meant to say I start with 38 lbs pressure, not 28.

But like I said I ignore what anyone else has. It doesn't apply to me. I use a pyrometer to know for sure. It's a very worthwhile expense to own one (about $100), but don't be tempted to go cheaper on a laser pyrometer.

 

Just learning from him the meaning of the tire temps, acceptable tire temp ranges and potential remedies. These guys are a wealth of info.

I have a pyrometer.

 

I didn't get the RE-11s but i did manage to source the RE-01R.

And i use them as my daily driver. I do about 10,000kms/year in the R56, so those tires will last a year based on the mileage of other's that's used the tires before.

 

Guys, just wanted to say thanks. I ordered a set of RE11's (600 out the door) for my 17's. I wanted to buy them from tirerack but a buddy owed me a favor and I saved almost 80 bucks for the tires plus an add'l 80'ish for shipping.

So unfortunately, it was worth saving over 150 bucks by ordereing from my buddy.


Thanks for everyone's help. I'm gonna keep the Yoko S drives (18's) on the car for now and swap over when a track day comes.

Mark

 

Great, and good luck. Let us know how you like them. I may get them myself when the Yokos are done.

 

I will but unfortunately my next DE isn't until Nov.

All I got left is to bed in my Carbotechs when I switch the fronts and I'm done....

 

Where is your DE? I've been to NC once (for the 2 Day M School in Spartenburg).

 

Roebling Road in Georgia. Fun little track... easy (ier) on brakes than VIR, that's for sure.


Mark