[mbar]

Just finished a 3 day track weekend + 2000 road miles on RE71R on stock SS rims 255/40/20 and 285/35/20.

Road: The tires feels good on the road. Ride quality is better than stock run flats, except when you hit potholes . Here in MD our road quality is above the national average, so that's not a major problem. There is noticeable tread noise, especially between 30-50 MPH.

Track: These tires are AMAZING at the track. The grip level is so much better than stock. On my first session I improved my personal best by 1.9 seconds on a 2 miles track. Wear is good with -2.2 camber . I think you can get 7-10 days on them + 3-4K road miles. You just have to watch your pressure. Ideal is 34 PSI (reading from TPMS). Over 36 PSI the get greasy. It was 82F and sunny, no overheating, glazing or other problems. I did have a stone pierce a narrow hole right in the tread groove line, luckily it did not penetrate all the way.
I'm not sure if it's because of the tires, the alignment or both but under-steer was significantly reduced.

Great tires!

PS- after the track weekend road noise is louder.

[apexit53]

Good review an even though I haven't tracked them everything seems consistent for what I experienced.

Especially the noise hah. They either get more quiet when you drive on them for a bit on the road or you get used to them hah.

[ninetres]

This is the only tire that's competitive in the street class in Global time Attack. Nothing is as fast with the same tread rating. Complaints are price, and they don't last long. But if you want a street tire with ultimate track grip...this is it.

[locktyght]

Originally Posted by mbar

Just finished a 3 day track weekend + 2000 road miles on RE71R on stock SS rims 255/40/20 and 285/35/20.

Road: The tires feels good on the road. Ride quality is better than stock run flats, except when you hit potholes . Here in MD our road quality is above the national average, so that's not a major problem. There is noticeable tread noise, especially between 30-50 MPH.

Track: These tires are AMAZING at the track. The grip level is so much better than stock. On my first session I improved my personal best by 1.9 seconds on a 2 miles track. Wear is good with -2.2 camber . I think you can get 7-10 days on them + 3-4K road miles. You just have to watch your pressure. Ideal is 34 PSI (reading from TPMS). Over 36 PSI the get greasy. It was 82F and sunny, no overheating, glazing or other problems. I did have a stone pierce a narrow hole right in the tread groove line, luckily it did not penetrate all the way.
I'm not sure if it's because of the tires, the alignment or both but under-steer was significantly reduced.

Great tires!

PS- after the track weekend road noise is louder.

Ill second everything youve said. I love my RE71's. I was worried about cycling them on the big track, but there are no issues to date.

Originally Posted by ninetres

This is the only tire that's competitive in the street class in Global time Attack. Nothing is as fast with the same tread rating. Complaints are price, and they don't last long. But if you want a street tire with ultimate track grip...this is it.

I have close to 3k street miles, 40+ autox runs and 2.5 hours of track time on mine, and they have just barely smoothed the shoulder tread out on the outer most part. I think the longevity issue is hear say, or may be due to different alignment setups.

They are pricey though, cant argue that point. I have a discount with firestone, and they still got in my pocket.

[ninetres]

Originally Posted by locktyght

Ill second everything youve said. I love my RE71's. I was worried about cycling them on the big track, but there are no issues to date.




I have close to 3k street miles, 40+ autox runs and 2.5 hours of track time on mine, and they have just barely smoothed the shoulder tread out on the outer most part. I think the longevity issue is hear say, or may be due to different alignment setups.

They are pricey though, cant argue that point. I have a discount with firestone, and they still got in my pocket.

Autocross isn't nearly as hard on tires as road racing time, and more specifically road racing time attack laps with a capable driver. There's a lengthy discussion of FIRST HAND competitors discussing how that tire has taken over the class on the global time attack FB page, and I race 2-3x a year with GTA and am close friends with several guys that runs the tire out there. I believe the tire only last them 1 track weekend (practice day, race day). What I don't know is if it's a treadwear or heat cycle issue (but I think it's tread wear related).

[Provoste]

Originally Posted by ninetres

Autocross isn't nearly as hard on tires as road racing time, and more specifically road racing time attack laps with a capable driver. There's a lengthy discussion of FIRST HAND competitors discussing how that tire has taken over the class on the global time attack FB page, and I race 2-3x a year with GTA and am close friends with several guys that runs the tire out there. I believe the tire only last them 1 track weekend (practice day, race day). What I don't know is if it's a treadwear or heat cycle issue (but I think it's tread wear related).

You're wrong on RE71R on track longevity. I had 5 track weekends on mine before they corded, and I'm not easy on tires. They grip till they cord.

[ninetres]

Originally Posted by Provoste

You're wrong on RE71R on track longevity. I had 5 track weekends on mine before they corded, and I'm not easy on tires. They grip till they cord.

The discussion is in a private GTA group otherwise I'd post the link. But it's started by the Buttonwillow lap record holder Mike Warfield, and has 360 comments from competitors who are running the tire, complaining about how fast they burn through a set in comparison to other (albeit slower) options. They are in cars generally lighter than our Camaro's too. Just sharing what I've learned from people who I know personally who race on them. Your "mileage" may vary

[MatthewAMEL]

The RE71 is the TOP AutoX tire without question.

They grip when 70F all the way to 150F. Above 150F (read: any track time), they get greasy and start evaporating at an alarming rate.

For track, they are very much like the PSC2...one hero lap followed by much disappointment.

IMHO, the best track tire for this platform is the Nitto NT01 followed by the OEM GY Supercar 3

[Provoste]

Originally Posted by MatthewAMEL

The RE71 is the TOP AutoX tire without question.

They grip when 70F all the way to 150F. Above 150F (read: any track time), they get greasy and start evaporating at an alarming rate.

For track, they are very much like the PSC2...one hero lap followed by much disappointment.

IMHO, the best track tire for this platform is the Nitto NT01 followed by the OEM GY Supercar 3

Spoken like someone who has never driven an RE71R on track.

The RE71R is not just an Autocross tire, it is a DAMN good track tire. Yes, I agree the RE71R seems to be a bit of a "cheater" 200 treadwear and is closer to an acutal 100 treadwear NT01/R888R,in wear. That said, I wouldn't expect to get any more time than 4-5 track weekends out of a set of NT01's either. One observation- the RE71R seems especially sensitive to camber, though I found perfect even wear with -2.9 on my '17 SS 1LE.

On my first set of RE71R's: I ran: Putnam Park (1:16's), National Corvette Museum MSP (2:16's), Mid Ohio Club Config (1:39's), and Watkins Glen (2:11's). I only put times down to indicate I'm not just putting around and talking about how great they wear.

These tires aren't "one lap hero" tires. Look at my videos on the 1LE forum. At Mid Ohio, my 4th lap of the session was my fastest (on old RE71R's that corded later that day).

Here's an interesting read which echos my experience.
http://www.prima-racing.com/bridgest...king-part-two/

[MatthewAMEL]

Originally Posted by Provoste

Spoken like someone who has never driven an RE71R on track.

The RE71R is not just an Autocross tire, it is a DAMN good track tire. Yes, I agree the RE71R seems to be a bit of a "cheater" 200 treadwear and is closer to an acutal 100 treadwear NT01/R888R,in wear. That said, I wouldn't expect to get any more time than 4-5 track weekends out of a set of NT01's either. One observation- the RE71R seems especially sensitive to camber, though I found perfect even wear with -2.9 on my '17 SS 1LE.

On my first set of RE71R's: I ran: Putnam Park (1:16's), National Corvette Museum MSP (2:16's), Mid Ohio Club Config (1:39's), and Watkins Glen (2:11's). I only put times down to indicate I'm not just putting around and talking about how great they wear.

These tires aren't "one lap hero" tires. Look at my videos on the 1LE forum. At Mid Ohio, my 4th lap of the session was my fastest (on old RE71R's that corded later that day).

Here's an interesting read which echos my experience.
http://www.prima-racing.com/bridgest...king-part-two/

Please...post YOUR impressions of the tire, not your assumptions of my experience with the tire.

I ran RE71s on two different cars over three years on three different tracks.

The NT01 is a FAR better track tire. The RE71 is a better AutoX tire.

Yeah, I ran mine until they corded too, but they were hardly as fast as when they were new.

1 and 2 minute laps are hardly a test of the tire until they get 4-5 laps on them. Try them at Sebring, Daytona or Road Atlanta and then try to sing their praises. You will quickly come to understand why track guys don't run them unless there is no other choice.

Set #1, 4 years ago...

[TheRealJA105]

The fact that you are discounting NCM, Mid Ohio, and Watkins freaking Glen is very amusing! That said, I've never ran the Bridgestones, but keep considering them vs the GYSC3s which I am very happy with.

[Provoste]

Originally Posted by MatthewAMEL

Please...post YOUR impressions of the tire, not your assumptions of my experience with the tire.

I ran RE71s on two different cars over three years on three different tracks.

The NT01 is a FAR better track tire. The RE71 is a better AutoX tire.

Yeah, I ran mine until they corded too, but they were hardly as fast as when they were new.

1 and 2 minute laps are hardly a test of the tire until they get 4-5 laps on them. Try them at Sebring, Daytona or Road Atlanta and then try to sing their praises. You will quickly come to understand why track guys don't run them unless there is no other choice.

Set #1, 4 years ago...

Sorry for the incorrect assumption on you never driving RE71R's.

Your last statement only highlights your cluelessness though:

Road Atlanta is 2.5 miles per lap right- Sub 1:45 lap times easy in our cars.
Daytona 24 hour course: 3.56 mies per lap: Sub 2:10 easy in our cars.

NCM MSP: 3.2 miles per lap: Anything under 2:20 is flying.
Watkins Glen: 3.4 miles per lap: Anyting under 2:15 is flying.

Those times would be for advanced drivers, not intermediate or novice.

By the way, I'm one of those "track guys" you reference at the end. I instruct with PCA (nationally certified), NASA, Chin, Hooked on Driving, NCM Museum, 10/10ths. I average over 30 days per year on track.

[TrackClub]

Originally Posted by MatthewAMEL

The RE71 is the TOP AutoX tire without question.

They grip when 70F all the way to 150F. Above 150F (read: any track time), they get greasy and start evaporating at an alarming rate.

For track, they are very much like the PSC2...one hero lap followed by much disappointment.

IMHO, the best track tire for this platform is the Nitto NT01 followed by the OEM GY Supercar 3

Mathew, haven't run RE71R yet (will do shortly tho) but Provoste's pace on (I believe) 12 day old RE71R at the Glen was nothing short of superb.

Also, by NO means are Cup2s a one lap tire! I've run mine for 3 days at the Glen with zero issues and managed my best lap 2:12.0 on a last lap of a 25min stint (even tho it seems I may have run them 2psi too "hot").

Lastly, as far as your lap length comments: since when a tire cares where the start/finish line is?

Cheers!

[glamcem]

I also tried the RE71R and NT01 back to back on my previous cars (didn't try the RE71Rs on my 1LE yet).

I would say in terms of best lap times and the grip they are very similar with a bit different slip angles and overall driving characteristics as mentioned in the article Provoste posted (which I also posted a while ago).

The difference is the consistency, that's where the NT01 shines. After my 4th event with the RE71Rs the grip definitely suffered and the tires felt very hard. I stopped using them with the half of the treadwear on them. Whereas with the NT01s, I typically did my best lap time right before I corded them after the 10th event. My friend's experience with his C7 was the same, he did his PB right before he corded the NT01s. If you search it you will see many people share the same experience on say for instance, rennlist forums

RE71Rs are, IMO, not a "one lap hero tires" but they're not NT01s either, when it comes to predictability and overall cost. They're also not offered in 315/325s in 19" so I will most likely pass that and get the new 3Rs when the time comes

I think the reason Provoste was able to put some good lap times is because his prior experience as a driver and ability to reach the limits of a certain setup in a short period of time. That's the reason why we see great lap times with factory tires (PSS is a good example) in the hands of an experienced driver like Randy Pobst because MT only puts 2 laps when they do their testings so it gives us the false perception of they're equivalent to "X" tires.

In reality, in most cases, the real world experience differ widely because of that.