Toyo Proxes RR review

[paradocs98]

Brief review of the newish DOT/R-comp track tire by Toyo, the Proxes RR.

Some details/characteristics:

• Spec tire for Spec Miata, Spec E30, Spec 944
• Semi-slick w two circumferential grooves, similar to Hoosier R6 or BFG R1
• 40 treadwear rating
• It's NOT the RA1 or R888

I picked up the first set as an alternative to the Nitto NT01. Definitely softer, grippier than the NT01, as evidenced by the much lower treadwear rating. Much quieter than the NT01, although they still manage to chatter/communicate near the limit.

Wear so far has been surprisingly good--I got 20 heat cycles out of the first set, and they probably had a few more left in them. Interestingly, they seem to require less negative camber than the NT01s--I was actually preferentially wearing the insides of the tread all around with the RRs.

They come in only three sizes so far, one of which is 275/35-18.

Here's a link to them for more info:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....odel=Proxes+RR

[RickyBobby]

Thanks for the review. Do you have any lap time deltas between the RR's and nt01's?
Also, can you comment on the grip level throughout their lifespan? ie do they get slower like a Hoosier or faster like an nt01 as they wear?

[bigjae1976]

Quieter? I love the coo'ing noise from the NT01s.

Sub'd.

[paradocs98]

Originally Posted by RickyBobby

Thanks for the review. Do you have any lap time deltas between the RR's and nt01's?
Also, can you comment on the grip level throughout their lifespan? ie do they get slower like a Hoosier or faster like an nt01 as they wear?

My times on tracks like NJMP Lightning and Thunderbolt, and Lime Rock, improved very slightly with the new Proxes RRs--but only by tenths of a second. So hard to say it's an accurate comparison, though, because my best times at these tracks on the NT01s were typically in cooler conditions (Sep, Oct, Nov -- ambient temps in the 50s and low 60s) when I believe the car runs cooler, makes more power, and yet the tires are still able to heat up enough to get good grip. My runs with the new Proxes RRs have so far been in relatively warm conditions (ambient temps in the 80s), so I'm not surprised that my times haven't made a huge improvement vs. the NT01 personal bests. Also, lots of variables in getting good, accurate lap times at HPDE events--traffic, inability to string together a clean lap, etc.

Subjectively, the Proxes RR certainly feels faster.

I do get the sense that the NT01, aside from the hopefully resolved tread splice issue, is a real sweet spot in the range of R-comp tires. Good grip, relatively cheap, and wear like iron. I think that the improvement in grip and overall track readiness is huge when moving from a street tire like the Michelin Super Sport or even Yoko AD08 or Hankook RS3 to the Nitto NT01, but then it becomes a law of diminishing returns when you move from the NT01 to semi-slicks like the Proxes RR or BFG R1 or Hankook Z214. The incremental improvement gets smaller. Perhaps with the exception of Hoosier R6s, which is why they're called purple crack. I haven't tried the Hoosiers, because I know I'd love them, and my tire budget won't allow me to buy new, expensive tires every 10 heat cycles.

In terms of performance during lifespan, I feel that the Proxes RRs stayed pretty consistent during the 20+ heat cycles on the first set.

[paradocs98]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

Quieter? I love the coo'ing noise from the NT01s.

Sub'd.

Love that knobby-tire-on-the-highway sound of the NT01s! It's like a deer whistle on the front of your car, but instead it lets others on the track know to clear the way, you're coming through!

[RickyBobby]

Originally Posted by paradocs98

My times on tracks like NJMP Lightning and Thunderbolt, and Lime Rock, improved very slightly with the new Proxes RRs--but only by tenths of a second. So hard to say it's an accurate comparison, though, because my best times at these tracks on the NT01s were typically in cooler conditions (Sep, Oct, Nov -- ambient temps in the 50s and low 60s) when I believe the car runs cooler, makes more power, and yet the tires are still able to heat up enough to get good grip. My runs with the new Proxes RRs have so far been in relatively warm conditions (ambient temps in the 80s), so I'm not surprised that my times haven't made a huge improvement vs. the NT01 personal bests. Also, lots of variables in getting good, accurate lap times at HPDE events--traffic, inability to string together a clean lap, etc.

Subjectively, the Proxes RR certainly feels faster.

I do get the sense that the NT01, aside from the hopefully resolved tread splice issue, is a real sweet spot in the range of R-comp tires. Good grip, relatively cheap, and wear like iron. I think that the improvement in grip and overall track readiness is huge when moving from a street tire like the Michelin Super Sport or even Yoko AD08 or Hankook RS3 to the Nitto NT01, but then it becomes a law of diminishing returns when you move from the NT01 to semi-slicks like the Proxes RR or BFG R1 or Hankook Z214. The incremental improvement gets smaller. Perhaps with the exception of Hoosier R6s, which is why they're called purple crack. I haven't tried the Hoosiers, because I know I'd love them, and my tire budget won't allow me to buy new, expensive tires every 10 heat cycles.

In terms of performance during lifespan, I feel that the Proxes RRs stayed pretty consistent during the 20+ heat cycles on the first set.

Thanks for the reply. Your response sounds similar to others that I've spoken with in spec e30's.
I would argue though that R6's and z214's are only marginally faster than nt01's. I run 1.5 - 2 secs faster on them. The only problem with the Hoosier is that it looses 1 second after the first day so it's not exactly a value proposition tire. Agreed that the nt01 is still the sweet spot in this segment, but it sounds like the RR is also a great alternative for us too. Enjoy them!

[M3 Esq]

Nice write up. I've been looking into moving to an r-comp (currently running Rs-3s) so this is very helpful. I'll probably go with the NT01, to your point, it's a nice jump from street tires. Plus I kinda feel like I need to earn my way to the RRs, R1s, R6s of the world if you know what I mean. Keep us updated.

[bigjae1976]

It sounds like you are buying a little more dry grip with the RRs and giving up a day or two in treadwear vs the NT01?

Originally Posted by RickyBobby

Agreed that the nt01 is still the sweet spot in this segment, but it sounds like the RR is also a great alternative for us too. Enjoy them!

I think the love affair with the NT01s is that is the cheapest R-comp out there with a neglible for HPDE 1-2 second penalty in the dry vs most others...and they last longer when they don't splice, don't heat cycle out and did I mention they are the cheapest R-comps?

You can also run an NT01 in the rain with the tread showing. Just don't try them with standing water.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

You can also run an NT01 in the rain with the tread showing. Just don't try them with standing water.

yes dont!