DR's + Rain
 

Hey guys. Trying to decide on a set of tires for the back on my '99 T/A. I'm rocking the stock 16" wheels for now, so I'm going to be getting a pair of 255's. My question is, which DR is best in the rain? I live in the Seattle area, so I need something that performs well. The car is my daily driver, but will be seeing both strip and autox time on a regular basis.

Maybe don't even go with a DR? if that's the case, which tire would you reccomend that will do well in the rain, handle well in auto x, and hook decent at the track.


Thanks in advance

THe NT-555R is widely considered the most streetable of the drag raidials for varying weather conditions. The Toyo Torque also has quite a lot of tread separation that should evacuate water decently. However, all drag radials are molded with around 6/32nds of tread deapth from the factory, and will in no way be in good in the rain as a dedicated street tire (8-10/32nds), and will degrade rapidly as they wear (and they will wear quickly). Can most drag radials get by in the rain -yes, are any of them truly great in the rain - no.

As far as autocross, you "can" do it with a drag radial, but they are far from ideal as they are built with a softer sidewall to improve straghtline traction.

Given the large amounts of rain in Seattle, and that you daily drive your car, you may want to go with a BFG KDWII, Michelin PS, Goodyear GS-D3. Even the max performance summer tires like the Kuhmo Ecsta XS, Nitto NT-05, Toyo Proxes R1-R, Flaken Azenis RT-615 may be too much tire without enough tread depth for a high rainfall area.

The GS-D3 might be the best fit for your all around needs.

Awesome, I appreciate it. Great information and a quick reply.

Now the only problem is finding them in a 255/50r16. I was previously looking at the KDW II, but I dont know if they are made in that size.

BFG makes their G-sport sport comp 2 in that size. What's your take on those for my needs? Or possibly the Proxes RA1

Drag radials are not very good in autox because of the soft sidewalls. They're also not the best DD tire due to their low tread life and the obvious rain problem. If I were you I'd get a nice street radial, and then pick up a couple cheap wheels and throw some drag radials on them. Swapping out the wheels for the dragstrip isn't too big a deal.

If you'll run a 225/50-16 you have a better performance selection like the Dunlop Z1 starspec, Hankook RS3, Bridgestone RE11.

I'd rather run a softer skinny tire that a wider harder compound. Ex) I had much better traction with NT555r in 274/40-17 than I did with the NT05 in 315/35-17. I also ran the Z1 Starspec in 255/40 up front and they were better than many of the 275's I ran up front including the RT615.

I never had an issue with the 555r in rain until they were almost bald. I also got 20k miles out of them. They do fine in autox also. The sidewall isn't THAT much softer. I've talked to several people who ran them on all 4 before nitto came out with the 555r2. The 555r isn't that great at the drag strip though.

You definitely don't want to go with a DR for your DD. I've only been caught in the rain once with my 305/35/18 nitto NT555r and that was a very interesting ride that I don't wish to do again. My DD is a Z28 m6 bone stock and I'm running 275/30/18 and I've been extremely impressed with them. They handle great in the rain and handle the stock power with no problem. I'm a big fan of nitto they have never let me down in car tires or truck tires and there prices arn't insane like a goodyear GS-D3.

Don't do it. My dad had a set of Nittos (not sure what model) on his '96 vette and he lost it in the rain and nailed a guardrail. He's not an aggressive driver and if he had regular all-seasons he'd have been ok.

i ran nt-555r's all the time on my lightning with a valvebody that slams like a slap shifting a stick car...

I daily drive on my Nitto NT05R's but try NOT to drive in the rain. When I have to, since I have 4.10 gears, I have to be extremely easy on the gas and usually end up in 6th gear driving around locally.

I've driven several cars with 555R's in the rain, just don't hammer on it and you'll be fine. They will spin during hard shifts, sure, but so will street tires.

Exactly.

I daily drove them and the NT05 behind a 408/M6 combo. Just go light on the gas pedal, and change tires before they get to the wear bars.

Toyo Proxes 888r

I've had Nitto drag radial in 245/xx/16 and 315/35. I now have the Mickey Thompson drag radial in 315/35/17.

I have driven in the rain in all of them. Just be cautious and you will be ok. Drive like you have a newborn in your backseat.

I don't now about the Nitto 555r but I ran BFG G-force and they were very sticky at the track and just like my street tires in the rain - as far as ET Street radials...Yikes! lol I'll have to try the 555r's - been wanting to for awhile now.

Nitto Drag Radials here - In Bellevue WA. Riding on them for the 2 years I have been up here so far and luckily no issues. I am though switching to a street tire, feel like I have been lucky. But all this time nothing sketchy running on the drag radials and of course been in plenty of rain. Post up what you go with and how you like em. I am trying to decide what to go with myself.

Yeah, I live in the Seattle area myself, so whatever I choose is going to have to be maintanable in the rain. It would be different if it didnt rain damn near every day.


I think I've decided to go with the BFG g-force sport comp 2. They just came out, but from what Ive read theyre getting excellent reviews.

i hit a cement wall at 50mph with bfg drag radials and and spun around with mt drag radials,i wouldnt drive them in the rain again unless its in town or low speeds, its just not worth it.

In 2006 I had 275 BFG DR's on the rear of my car with slightly over 2K miles. All it took was 1 idiot coming into my lane and me getting on the brakes to send me sideways into a guard rail, then I got nailed on my driver side as well. Car was in the shop 6 months. Never again will with DRs on my car as a daily. Not worth my life or that of others.

The Proxes RA-1 and R-888 are both 100 treadwear near R-compound tires. You will wear them very quickly if you DD the car