Bridgestone Potenza RE-71R

[redpriest]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Perhaps, but if you drive 10h to a track after a full day at the office... it kinda wears on you
Maybe I need to man up

Ahh. I wouldn't drive 10 hours on them to a track, lol.

[hayes180]

Originally Posted by redpriest

Ahh. I wouldn't drive 10 hours on them to a track, lol.

I agree. Drove from Sacramento to Chuckwalla Valley Raceway with the RE71's in the back of my car.. Although you can absolutely drive these to and from the track, its better to just keep them for the track if you have another set of wheels.

[VictorH]

Just completed 3 day DE at VIR with PCA Zone 2, today. Had brand new RE-71R tires 255/35/19 front and 275/35/19 rear, mounted last week. I have run the RE-71 (non-R) before, Michelin Super Sport and my last set of track tires were AD-08Rs in the same size.

Road Noise_ Yes a lot more than Michelin SS, but then again for track tires they are just fine (yes technically they ares tree tires, but I wouldn't run these for general street use). Drove 230 miles to the track and back on these tires. Not as compliant as Michelins as they have super stiff sidewalls (the fronts are "extra load.")

Wet Traction- Day 2 first session was 42F and wet. Wet traction on track was much better than expected. Now I really like wet track sessions as that seems to be my specialty. I ran with MDM on and didn't get activation once (no blinking), no squirming but everyone else was all over the place, but it's hard to tell when you only see spray off the other car's tires whether they are running R-comps, street tires or what, but I passed everyone who was squirming around.

Dry Traction- Very good, hard to say compared to the AD-08R whether they are better without a side-by-side objective comparison. Very communicative, excellent grip, didn't have any break-away and I tend to be rear grip limited but didn't notice that at all this weekend.

I had the best results with 26 to 27 psi cold pressure (I know it's low and as low as I've ever run), but my run group was pretty fast and we were all pushing pretty hard and this gave me a hot pressure of 35-36 PSI coming off the track. Grip is good but gives up perhaps 20% or so by the last 5-10 minutes of the session, which requires a little driver adjustment.

Can't comment on wear, can only say they look fine, they are not ripped up, shredded (I've had that before on bad tracks) and otherwise look pretty good. I don't have a tire tread depth gauge. Total mileage on track was just a bit over 300 miles.

The one thing I noticed which wasn't an issue with the AD-08R was that I need more front camber. I'm running -2.5 up front and it looks like I need another 0.5 neg or so (total -3.0). Running 1/16" toe out up front.

Overall, I like these tires, they are a bit heavy probably due to a bit heavier construction, but they grip really well, they are super predictable and super forgiving (no sudden breakaway). They sing nicely in all the turns and mine were howling going up the upper esses too. I'd recommend them but there are many very suitable alternatives as well.

[dnoble37]

Evidently there is a national shortage of 285/30r18. I can't find them anywhere. Tire rack says they won't have this size until July. Does anyone know where to find this size?

[admranger]

Originally Posted by dnoble37

Evidently there is a national shortage of 285/30r18. I can't find them anywhere. Tire rack says they won't have this size until July. Does anyone know where to find this size?

Autocrossers snapped them up.

[8600RPM]

Originally Posted by VictorH

Just completed 3 day DE at VIR with PCA Zone 2, today. Had brand new RE-71R tires 255/35/19 front and 275/35/19 rear, mounted last week. I have run the RE-71 (non-R) before, Michelin Super Sport and my last set of track tires were AD-08Rs in the same size.

Road Noise_ Yes a lot more than Michelin SS, but then again for track tires they are just fine (yes technically they ares tree tires, but I wouldn't run these for general street use). Drove 230 miles to the track and back on these tires. Not as compliant as Michelins as they have super stiff sidewalls (the fronts are "extra load.")

Wet Traction- Day 2 first session was 42F and wet. Wet traction on track was much better than expected. Now I really like wet track sessions as that seems to be my specialty. I ran with MDM on and didn't get activation once (no blinking), no squirming but everyone else was all over the place, but it's hard to tell when you only see spray off the other car's tires whether they are running R-comps, street tires or what, but I passed everyone who was squirming around.

Dry Traction- Very good, hard to say compared to the AD-08R whether they are better without a side-by-side objective comparison. Very communicative, excellent grip, didn't have any break-away and I tend to be rear grip limited but didn't notice that at all this weekend.

I had the best results with 26 to 27 psi cold pressure (I know it's low and as low as I've ever run), but my run group was pretty fast and we were all pushing pretty hard and this gave me a hot pressure of 35-36 PSI coming off the track. Grip is good but gives up perhaps 20% or so by the last 5-10 minutes of the session, which requires a little driver adjustment.

Can't comment on wear, can only say they look fine, they are not ripped up, shredded (I've had that before on bad tracks) and otherwise look pretty good. I don't have a tire tread depth gauge. Total mileage on track was just a bit over 300 miles.

The one thing I noticed which wasn't an issue with the AD-08R was that I need more front camber. I'm running -2.5 up front and it looks like I need another 0.5 neg or so (total -3.0). Running 1/16" toe out up front.

Overall, I like these tires, they are a bit heavy probably due to a bit heavier construction, but they grip really well, they are super predictable and super forgiving (no sudden breakaway). They sing nicely in all the turns and mine were howling going up the upper esses too. I'd recommend them but there are many very suitable alternatives as well.

I've went through about 10 events and 3 sets of these tires. 245 front 265 rear 19 inch. I have tested and tested and 38 psi hot is the best grip. Any higher or lower falls. I do cold temp of 30.
Second the middle treat piece will wear out on the outside no matter what camber you run. It's common and nothing to do with over inflated tire.

[leo95se]

Originally Posted by 8600RPM

I've went through about 10 events and 3 sets of these tires. 245 front 265 rear 19 inch. I have tested and tested and 38 psi hot is the best grip. Any higher or lower falls. I do cold temp of 30.
Second the middle treat piece will wear out on the outside no matter what camber you run. It's common and nothing to do with over inflated tire.

3 days on a set? Why not run a full slick if their life is that short? Similar price, depending on brand, and much more grip.

I'm getting around 8-10 days but I baby the tire, heat cycled it, and allow it to cool off. Agree on 38 hot. I start at 28 cold and drop down the heavily loaded tire(s) after a session. They tend to get up to 40

[rymerc]

I picked up some used re71r about half-life and 2 years old. Ran my first autox with them, and they were good in the 60-degree weather, got better as they warmed up but never really got sticky to the touch. On a stock car running 275/35/18 square on 9f/10r they liked 36-38psi. Less and they'd roll, more and they slowed down.

Running 3 laps (about 3 minutes) consecutively on a 40-70mph constant-turning go kart track they got greasy and almost undriveable, would spin most of the way through 2nd even going straight. Came right back after cooling off for a few minutes.

Whether it's related to the constant turning/braking/accel of that track, my driving style, the age, or something else- I cannot say. Maybe heat cycled out or ?

[leo95se]

Originally Posted by rymerc

I picked up some used re71r about half-life and 2 years old. Ran my first autox with them, and they were good in the 60-degree weather, got better as they warmed up but never really got sticky to the touch. On a stock car running 275/35/18 square on 9f/10r they liked 36-38psi. Less and they'd roll, more and they slowed down.

Running 3 laps (about 3 minutes) consecutively on a 40-70mph constant-turning go kart track they got greasy and almost undriveable, would spin most of the way through 2nd even going straight. Came right back after cooling off for a few minutes.

Whether it's related to the constant turning/braking/accel of that track, my driving style, the age, or something else- I cannot say. Maybe heat cycled out or ?

From my experience, feedback from others, and talking to the Bridgestone engineers (they have had track tours for the last 3 seasons)they definitely heat cycle before wearing. Stinks.

[Datka]

Originally Posted by leo95se

From my experience, feedback from others, and talking to the Bridgestone engineers (they have had track tours for the last 3 seasons)they definitely heat cycle before wearing. Stinks.

If this is true and these tires heat cycle out before wearing to cords, then they are not as good as many thought.
They cost almost as much as good r-comp. tires and don't grip as well of course.

[leo95se]

Originally Posted by Datka

If this is true and these tires heat cycle out before wearing to cords, then they are not as good as many thought.
They cost almost as much as good r-comp. tires and don't grip as well of course.

They are essentially an r comp and IMO last longer. I just killed my set at wgi today. All in I have about 34-36 sessions on them.

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by leo95se

From my experience, feedback from others, and talking to the Bridgestone engineers (they have had track tours for the last 3 seasons)they definitely heat cycle before wearing. Stinks.

No offense but there is no way you are going to heat cycle out Stones if you run any track days or even a few autocrosses. If you drive them over the winter or allow them to stored in real cold temps with 50% wear, they can get a little wierd but I would not call this heat cycled.

[8600RPM]

These function as r comps. I don't run slicks as I'm on stock suspension and the grip slicks offer it not only stressed out stock suspension but likely performs worse as suspension isn't designed for that level of tire grip.

I enjoy the tires and if you want a 19 inch option there are few other options

[leo95se]

Originally Posted by z3papa

No offense but there is no way you are going to heat cycle out Stones if you run any track days or even a few autocrosses. If you drive them over the winter or allow them to stored in real cold temps with 50% wear, they can get a little wierd but I would not call this heat cycled.

Apologies, I am not sure what you mean.

[z3papa]

Originally Posted by leo95se

Apologies, I am not sure what you mean.

Stones rarely if ever heat cycle out if you track, or push them hard in any degree if for no other reason they wear out before they can cycle out.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by CSBM5

Speaking of Toyo, has anyone tried the new R888R yet? I never cared for the R888 unless it was shaved as the NT-01 was always my go to tire instead if I planned to drive on the street to events.

I've bought these, we'll see how they handle by mid July

[lutfy]

Originally Posted by z3papa

Stones rarely if ever heat cycle out if you track, or push them hard in any degree if for no other reason they wear out before they can cycle out.

Such has been our experience as well. I tried the Azeni+ to see if its comparable and its NOT. Re71 is still king of the hill. Runs fast all the way to the cord like good ole RA1s (but has noticeable more grip without the howling).

Lutfy

[Richbot]

Originally Posted by 8600RPM

These function as r comps. I don't run slicks as I'm on stock suspension and the grip slicks offer it not only stressed out stock suspension but likely performs worse as suspension isn't designed for that level of tire grip.

I enjoy the tires and if you want a 19 inch option there are few other options

I have yet to see a car not go faster on Hoosiers than street tires no matter the suspension. Stiff springs are not necessary to take advantage of sticky tires. Necessary to optimize maybe sometimes, but come on. You just don't want to spend the money

[JustAnothaM4]

Looking for a set of 275/35/18 and can't find them anywhere? Shortage?

Might have pay full price on some NT01s. Finding tires in the middle of track season is the worst.

[CSBM5]

Originally Posted by project e46m3

Looking for a set of 275/35/18 and can't find them anywhere? Shortage?

Might have pay full price on some NT01s. Finding tires in the middle of track season is the worst.

Too bad you're not local as I have some NT-01s in that size I could sell. They measure ~5/32s. I've had them a couple of years and only used them for three events at the PerfCenter (about 35 total runs on a 1:30 course).

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by project e46m3

Looking for a set of 275/35/18 and can't find them anywhere? Shortage?

Might have pay full price on some NT01s. Finding tires in the middle of track season is the worst.

Try the r888r. They're in stock at tirerack

Just got my first set mounted

[lutfy]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Try the r888r. They're in stock at tirerack

Just got my first set mounted

Observations on the R888R? I was considering them but decided to wait on the RE71R in 255/17 (for the FRS). How do you like them? Comparisons?

Cheers mate.

Lutfy