I prefer the NT01 from discount tire but the Honda Challenge series requires RA1s.

 

how different is the NT01 from the RA1 I heard they are a pretty similar compound but the NT01 is cheaper?
I had some R888's I didn't like them all that much

 

Dan, the shaved RA1s are very similar to the NT01s. Rumor is they are the same compound with the NT01s being "pre-shaven." (somehow that sounds dirty)

 

No need to shave NT-01 is in their literature. Do people find this true for real track only use, or is it just marketing? It doesn't seem like that big a deal to me either way, but getting them from the local discount tire is a nice option as I use them for mounting anyway, and I don't know about whether they shave or not.

 

NT01s definitely do not need to be shaved. They come with a very shallow tread to begin with. I did a 1:23.5 lap on Summit Main on a very old set of NT01s.

 

Anyone have experience with RA1s on the street? I mostly just drove my s to and from events. figure I might try ra1s instead of rs3s (and carry along a6s as needed.

 

For anyone who has used r888, ra1, or nt01... Is heat cycling the tire necessary? Will you get any better life or any other performance benefits by doing an easy first heat cycle, taking them off and letting them sit for a few days? Or can you just throw stickers on and go for it?

 

We have a few guys here that make the 5 hour drive down to VIR on RA1s so they do ok on the street.

I've never heard of anyone heat cycling anything other than Hoosier R6s. Just mount 'em and go.

 

Pat, I drove RA1 as my exclusive tire track & street for @ 3 years when my car was a street car as well. They wore better than the OEM S-02 and the mixed local and highway travel didn't seem to take a toll on the tire's performance.

 

I've street driven on NT01, R888, and RA1 to/from events. Noisy as heck and have to be careful in the event of rain, but totally doable! The R888 I definitely noticed a substantial drop-off in performance after a few heat cycles, but they sure were quick those first couple of heat cycles. The RA1 at 8/32nds along with a substantial tread pattern definitely requires a shave to 5/32nds or so before you can really beat on them. The NT01 just blows my mind how durable and consistent it is through heat cycles - I've matched lap times on NT01's from when they were brand new all the way to 25+ heat cycles. Very consistent tire that doesn't require shaving or any really maintenance; just mount them and go. I've got to give the nod to the NT01 in this discussion as seems to be the consensus here... Great tire for lapping days!

-Aaron