Nitto Drag Radials On Road Course
Nitto Drag Radials On Road Course 
05-17-2004, 11:38 AM
#3
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Chicago
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by gator's 99TA
if you want to be competitive, i wouldnt suggest it at all,. the sidewall is far to weak for the lateral pressures in cornering. but if you still do, go as high as possible. over 40 psi - and yea tire wear will eat you up at that pressure.
Last edited by ChitownLS1; 05-17-2004 at 12:41 PM. Reason: Forgot something
05-19-2004, 08:58 PM
#7
Be careful making assumptions, or taking them from those that have never tried.
Nitto drags are fine on a road course, especially the 17's. Several racers I have know have raced on them, and all of us liked them and were fast. I autocrossed on 16's DR's years ago and thought they were a little sluggish. I actually think my car is faster on a road course with Nitto DR's than with Kumho Victoracers in the same size. I run 315/35/17's on 17x11's at all four corners. They last a lot longer than Victoracers. The other thing I love about them on a road course is the fact that they make noise. It is much easier to drive them at the limit.
Photo 1
Photo 2
Video on drag radials
EDIT: I have also owned the 555RII, their road race tire. Actually I still do, and am on my third set of four. They are my street tires, also a nice tire, and basically only offered in a 275/40/17 (and very expensive 18's). They are a great tire, but not very different at all from the 555R.
Nitto drags are fine on a road course, especially the 17's. Several racers I have know have raced on them, and all of us liked them and were fast. I autocrossed on 16's DR's years ago and thought they were a little sluggish. I actually think my car is faster on a road course with Nitto DR's than with Kumho Victoracers in the same size. I run 315/35/17's on 17x11's at all four corners. They last a lot longer than Victoracers. The other thing I love about them on a road course is the fact that they make noise. It is much easier to drive them at the limit.
Photo 1
Photo 2
Video on drag radials
EDIT: I have also owned the 555RII, their road race tire. Actually I still do, and am on my third set of four. They are my street tires, also a nice tire, and basically only offered in a 275/40/17 (and very expensive 18's). They are a great tire, but not very different at all from the 555R.
Trending Topics
05-19-2004, 09:37 PM
#8
Launching!
Thread Starter
iTrader: (9)
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Chicago
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 98_1LE
Be careful making assumptions, or taking them from those that have never tried.
Nitto drags are fine on a road course, especially the 17's. Several racers I have know have raced on them, and all of us liked them and were fast. I autocrossed on 16's DR's years ago and thought they were a little sluggish. I actually think my car is faster on a road course with Nitto DR's than with Kumho Victoracers in the same size. I run 315/35/17's on 17x11's at all four corners. They last a lot longer than Victoracers. The other thing I love about them on a road course is the fact that they make noise. It is much easier to drive them at the limit.
Photo 1
Photo 2
Video on drag radials
EDIT: I have also owned the 555RII, their road race tire. Actually I still do, and am on my third set of four. They are my street tires, also a nice tire, and basically only offered in a 275/40/17 (and very expensive 18's). They are a great tire, but not very different at all from the 555R.
Nitto drags are fine on a road course, especially the 17's. Several racers I have know have raced on them, and all of us liked them and were fast. I autocrossed on 16's DR's years ago and thought they were a little sluggish. I actually think my car is faster on a road course with Nitto DR's than with Kumho Victoracers in the same size. I run 315/35/17's on 17x11's at all four corners. They last a lot longer than Victoracers. The other thing I love about them on a road course is the fact that they make noise. It is much easier to drive them at the limit.
Photo 1
Photo 2
Video on drag radials
EDIT: I have also owned the 555RII, their road race tire. Actually I still do, and am on my third set of four. They are my street tires, also a nice tire, and basically only offered in a 275/40/17 (and very expensive 18's). They are a great tire, but not very different at all from the 555R.
Nice video.
05-19-2004, 09:45 PM
#9
Beautiful car BTW. I love silver!
One last thing. I would not suggest running stickies out back and street tires up front on a road course. Our cars tend to push (understeer) stock, and mismatching tires can exagerate this effect. You probably know this, but get a good set of front pads (I like Carbotech Panthers) and good brake fluid (Motul 5.1 or Ford HD), and have the following alignment done before RR:
Camber: max negative, or -2º (about -.5º is all you will probably get)
Caster: max positive, or +5º (lucky to get +4 stock)
Toe: 0. A little toe out will handle better on the track, but is a handful on the street. I run 1/8" toe out and love it.
One last thing. I would not suggest running stickies out back and street tires up front on a road course. Our cars tend to push (understeer) stock, and mismatching tires can exagerate this effect. You probably know this, but get a good set of front pads (I like Carbotech Panthers) and good brake fluid (Motul 5.1 or Ford HD), and have the following alignment done before RR:
Camber: max negative, or -2º (about -.5º is all you will probably get)
Caster: max positive, or +5º (lucky to get +4 stock)
Toe: 0. A little toe out will handle better on the track, but is a handful on the street. I run 1/8" toe out and love it.
05-24-2004, 07:40 PM
#11
I agree with 98_1LE.....Nitto DR's kick *** as a road tire. I got them all around on my Firehawk and love these tires for handling. Don't worry about the sidewall....the only thing you have to worry about is treadlife as the tires are pretty soft.
