AutoX/open track tire question

ROUSHAC · #1 (**permalink**) 01-06-2007, 07:08 PM

Anyone have an opinion about using the Nitto NT555R “Extreme Drag” Radial for anything like open track and/or autocross?

I'm currently using the NT555R “Extreme Drag” Radial for the street and drag racing in 315/35R17 with 10.5" rims on the rear and love them (traction is unbelievable), but I'm concerned with the soft sidewall's lateral deformation if pushed HARD in turns on the track.

The Nitto NT555RII “Extreme R” radial, looks like a possible compromise (largest size in 17" is 285/35R17), but haven't run into anyone actually using them, plus the width may be too narrow for the 10 1/2" rims.

Thanks in advance!

Cheers!
Dave

dlampe · #2 (**permalink**) 01-06-2007, 07:36 PM

Dave, since we might be chasing each other at Mid-Ohio, let me be honest with you; Go with the BF Goodrich T/A Radial. I here they stick very well!

ROUSHAC · #3 (**permalink**) 01-06-2007, 08:05 PM

Hopefully, R&G too Dean.

WildBill3 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-11-2007, 03:39 PM

o man are we talking steet tire class here,prepared, or unlimited,james had the fastes steet tires he ran kumo ecsta mx which have a 140 tread wear i beleive I was 2nd in steert tire we ran the falkin they r crap no side bite whatsoever for prepared id sure be thinking on the hooser or kumo victoracer or what evr ther newest RR tire is some of the street guys were on michilen pilots which to me are great tires but for ther price????we will be on new tires at the gun im leaning towards the bfg kds .but thats just my veiw the drag radials are going to be wierd in the corners with a soft sidewall the transient responce time of the( steering imput to tire reaction) is going to be huge.kinda like the difference between biasply and radials.

mannyjoe · #5 (**permalink**) 02-11-2007, 06:22 PM

I ran Nitto DR's on my Coupe on the road course at Firebird Raceway. They really performed well for me. I was using 275/40/17 in front on a 9" wide rim and 315/35/17 on a 10.5" rim.

This was a lot of fun for me but I don't have very much experience.HTH.
mannyjoe

ROUSHAC · #6 (**permalink**) 02-11-2007, 06:30 PM

Sounds like, since I will be doing street class, I will go with the Nitto NT555's in 275/45 R17 or 285/45 R17. I already have them in the front (in 245/45 R17), and hopefully the same tires all around will "balance" the lateral traction out. Also, there will be no question regarding if they meet street class requirements.

Hopefully, this will be a good compromise all around set up for street class open track, AutoX, and general street use. If they suck at Mid Ohio, I'll just get another pair of wheels and go with something else for track use, and use the NT555's for my street tires.

Thanks for the input guys. It much appreciated!

Cheers!
Dave

cobra crazee · #7 (**permalink**) 02-12-2007, 01:25 AM

do you guys run your nitto drag radials on the street too? The reason i ask is I just bought some for my 17 inch rims, but am scared to put them on the car. Because i heard they can pick up rocks inside the wheel wels and cause a spyder crack on fiberglass body. Have any of you experienced such a thing?

WildBill3 · #8 (**permalink**) 02-12-2007, 03:01 AM

any tire that gets skicky and hot will pick them up and slingm with or with out groovs even these hard falkins were throwing stuff at runngun..iv seen folks undercoating with linex or rhino liner says it helps

dlampe · #9 (**permalink**) 02-12-2007, 06:35 AM

Remember that any tread wear rating under 200 will bump you up to the prepared class at Run and Gun.

ROUSHAC · #10 (**permalink**) 02-12-2007, 05:10 PM

The Nitto NT555R drag radial and the NT555R II road race tire are rated at 100, so it looks like the NT555 is the way to go for me at this point in time.

cobracrazee,

Yes, the NT555R's do pick up stones on the street, but the traction is so unbelievable for a non-dragslick tire you won't believe it. If you are worried about spider cracks, line the inside of your wheelwells with something like they use to line pickup beds.

dlampe · #11 (**permalink**) 02-12-2007, 05:41 PM

Dave, I really think you should go with the "RII" nittos's. I lined the innner fender with high density foam and I don't have a problem and you know how soft that aluminum is! You are going to want the sticky tires. I know you well enough to know that you are going to wan to be as fast as you can. Thyat means sticky tires!

CHRIS DAMSCH · #12 (**permalink**) 02-12-2007, 06:28 PM

Cobra Crazee,

I've been running the BFG drag radials on my spf and haven't had any spider crack issues.

I will probably line the wheel wells this year just to be extra safe though.

You'll be able to get the power to the ground with the drag radials on the street.

cobra crazee · #13 (**permalink**) 02-12-2007, 08:54 PM

thanks guys, now im gonna try to find someone that will spray the staff. I
wonder if its something i could do, just because it will be more convienient to do it in the garage taking the wheels off and everything.

WildBill3 · #14 (**permalink**) 02-13-2007, 04:43 AM

im thinking our teadwear rating on the falkins is 240 or 260 and the pucker factor was pretty high in nascar 3and 4 at runngun,take it to the limit of the rules for what ever class your in for tires if you dont somebody else will. I mean with equal drivers tires mean alot.at the auto x here in kc im always getting stomped by cars with kumos and hoosiers its hardly worth going exept for practice getting to know the car better.