Yes, I finally took the plunge. I figured after 21 track events, all on street tires, it was time.
What changed my mind: I picked up a screw in one of my rear street tires (RE-01Rs, which are incredible street tires, btw). This means that I couldn’t track these tires anymore; can’t track a plugged/patched tire.
Yes, I could have gotten two new rears, but there was enough of a wear difference between the fronts and rears that I really would have had to get 4 new ones all around. But, the tires were still good for the street, so what better time to buy some race tires? Well, that was the explanation that I gave to my wife…
Of course, new tires means new wheels. I bought the Kosei K1 17×8.5 wheels from Tire Rack, a good deal at $165 each. There really was never a question on which tire; most DE’ers around here run the Toyo RA-1, due to its combination of long life, good grip, and progressive breakaway characteristics. The RA-1 has been out for many years, though, and last year Toyo introduced the R888, the newer version of the RA-1. So that’s what I got. 4 R888 tires, 235/40-17, which fit perfectly on the K1 wheels.
Everything was drop-shipped to Bavarian Machine while the car was in for its break-in service and getting the new brakes. One of the K1 wheels was bent upon arrival, which Tire Rack replaced immediately and with no hassle. I had BMS install wheel studs and lug nuts to replace the one-piece BMW OEM lug bolts–it takes longer to remount a wheel with those stupid lug bolts than it does to change the brake pads!
Got the car back last Friday, and left for TWS later than afternoon. Yes, I drove up there with the race tires on the car…
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